Free & Low-Cost Business Assistance in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
PA Business Resources helps Pennsylvania business owners find free and low-cost help in one place. Below are answers to the questions we hear most often. Can't find what you need? Contact us and we'll point you in the right direction.
About PA Business Resources
What is PA Business Resources?
PA Business Resources (pabusinessresources.org) is a free online small business resource center for Pennsylvania. It brings together free and low-cost assistance, including legal guidance, funding opportunities, consulting, training, forms and events, in one searchable directory, so business owners can find the right Pennsylvania program without searching dozens of separate websites.
Who runs PA Business Resources?
PA Business Resources is managed by Steel Valley Authority (SVA), a statewide Pennsylvania business-assistance organization that helps businesses grow, retain jobs and avoid layoffs. The site is paid for with Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars.
Is PA Business Resources free to use?
Yes. Searching the directory and using the information on PA Business Resources is free. Many listed programs are also free, and others charge low fees; check each provider's details. There is no obligation to use any resource shared on the site.
Who can use these resources?
The resources listed are available to businesses located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. That includes startups, small and family-owned businesses, manufacturers, nonprofits and growing companies in every region of the state. Each program sets its own eligibility rules, so confirm the details with the provider.
Finding Help
How do I find business resources in my part of Pennsylvania?
Go to the Resources page and use the Region filter to show programs that serve your area, then filter by topic (such as Legal, Forms or Pages) or sort results A–Z. Statewide programs serve businesses in all 67 counties.
What kinds of business assistance can I find?
You can find help with business consulting and mentoring, grants and loans, legal guidance and forms, training and workshops, marketing, hiring and workforce development, technology and AI, government contracting, and support for manufacturers and businesses facing financial challenges.
How do I find business workshops and events in Pennsylvania?
Visit the Events page for upcoming workshops, webinars and networking events for Pennsylvania business owners. Many are free and offered online, so you can attend from anywhere in the state.
Funding: Grants and Loans
Are there grants for small businesses in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but most business grants in Pennsylvania are targeted to a specific purpose, industry or location, such as hiring and training workers, technology development, energy efficiency or downtown revitalization. Common sources include the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), local economic development agencies and workforce development boards. Be cautious of anyone who charges a fee to give you a list of grants.
Where can I find low-interest business loans in Pennsylvania?
Options include SBA-guaranteed loans offered through banks and credit unions, state financing programs such as the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) offered through local economic development organizations, regional revolving loan funds, and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and microlenders that serve smaller or newer businesses.
Who can help me prepare a loan or grant application?
The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) offer free, confidential help with business plans, financial projections and loan applications. Local economic development organizations can also explain which state and regional financing programs fit your project.
Consulting, Mentoring and Training
Where can I get free business consulting in Pennsylvania?
Free, confidential consulting is available from the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), which are based at universities across the state, and from SCORE, whose volunteer mentors advise small business owners at no cost. Manufacturers can also turn to Pennsylvania's Industrial Resource Centers and to Steel Valley Authority's SEWN program.
How do I start a business in Pennsylvania?
Most new Pennsylvania businesses follow these steps: write a business plan, choose a legal structure, register the business with the Pennsylvania Department of State, get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, register for state taxes with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, and obtain any local licenses or permits. A Small Business Development Center can walk you through each step for free.
Where can I get help using technology and AI in my business?
Check the Events page for free webinars on technology and AI for small businesses, and the Resources page for organizations that offer technology consulting. Ben Franklin Technology Partners supports technology-based companies in Pennsylvania, and the SBDCs offer guidance on digital tools and online marketing.
Manufacturers & Businesses Facing Challenges
What help is available for Pennsylvania manufacturers?
Pennsylvania manufacturers can get help from the state's Industrial Resource Centers, which support productivity, quality and growth, and from Steel Valley Authority's Strategic Early Warning Network (SEWN), which provides free, confidential consulting to manufacturers facing financial, operational, workforce or ownership-transition challenges.
My business is struggling. Where can I get help before layoffs or closure?
Act early; the sooner you reach out, the more options you have. Steel Valley Authority's SEWN program offers free, confidential layoff-aversion consulting for Pennsylvania manufacturers, and the Small Business Development Centers help businesses of all kinds with cash flow and turnaround planning. Pennsylvania's Shared-Work program, run by the Department of Labor & Industry, can also help employers reduce hours instead of laying off workers.
Where can I get help hiring and training employees?
PA CareerLink and your local workforce development board help Pennsylvania employers recruit workers, post jobs and find training funds. Registered apprenticeship programs, supported by the state's Apprenticeship and Training Office, let you build skilled workers on the job.
How can my business sell to government agencies?
APEX Accelerators (formerly called Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, or PTACs) provide free help with registering, finding bids and preparing proposals for federal, state and local government contracts. The Pennsylvania Department of General Services also offers certification programs for small and small diverse businesses.
Sharing Resources and Events
How can my organization list its business resources on this site?
Use the Submit Resources form. We welcome free and low-cost programs that serve businesses located in Pennsylvania. Submissions are reviewed before they appear on the site.
How do I submit an event?
Use the Submit Events form to share workshops, webinars and other events for Pennsylvania business owners. Include the date, time, location or online link, cost, and who should attend.
What if a listing is out of date or I can't find what I need?
Please let us know through the Contact Us page. We use your feedback to keep listings accurate and to add the resources Pennsylvania businesses ask for most.