faq icon About The PennWest Clarion SBDC

The mission of the PennWest Clarion Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is to grow the economy of western Pennsylvania by providing entrepreneurs with the education, information and tools necessary to build successful businesses.

Since its inception in 1980, the PennWest Clarion SBDC has consulted with thousands of pre-venture and existing business clients in its 10-county region. This region in Pennsylvania includes the following counties: Armstrong, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, and Venango. 

Map of SBDC Counties

Funding support and resources are provided through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration; by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community & Economic Development; and in part through support from PennWest Clarion and other sources. All services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Special arrangements for persons with disabilities can be made by calling (814) 393-2060. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. SBDC services are not available to individuals or entities that have been debarred or suspended by the federal government. By agreeing to receive assistance from the SBDC you are self-certifying that you are not currently federally debarred or suspended and also agree to cease using SBDC services if you become federally debarred or suspended in the future.

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The PennWest Clarion SBDC provides consulting services and educational programs to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their small business. The PennWest Clarion SBDC consultants work with entrepreneurs in confidential, one-to-one engagements to help them with a range of business issues including testing a new business proposition, shaping a business plan, investigating funding opportunities, and much more.  The SBDC works with a wide range of public and private organizations to allow for cross referral of clients and cooperative consultation services and training programs for the varied needs of the entrepreneurs. Because of this, the PennWest Clarion SBDC is able to provide a variety of consulting, research, and training services. Click here to sign up as a client and start receiving help from our consultants.

The PennWest Clarion Small Business Development Center has helped many entrepreneurs to expand their existing business or launch successful new business ventures.

PennWest Clarion Small Business Development Center
209 Still Hall
PennWest Clarion
Clarion PA 16214-3873
Phone: (814) 393-2060
Fax: (814) 393-2636
Email: sbdc@pennwest.edu
Facebook: Join Our Facebook
Hours of Operation: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm | Monday through Friday

PennWest Clarion SBDC Staff

Cindy Nellis, Director (cnellis@pennwest.edu)

Cindy Nellis, Director of the PennWest Clarion SBDC

Cindy has been with the PennWest Clarion SBDC since September 1996. Cindy is responsible for overseeing and directing the assignment and coordination of the SBDC staff and its operations. In addition, Cindy provides confidential one-on-one consulting to current or prospective small business owners and developing and instructing educational programs for the SBDC.

Prior to joining the SBDC, Cindy worked in the banking industry for 10 years. She graduated from The Ohio State University.

Amy Keth, Assistant Director (amketh@pennwest.edu)

Amy Keth, Assistant Director of PennWest Clarion SBDCAmy has been a business consultant with the PennWest Clarion SBDC since July 2004. The counties that she serves include Forest, Clarion, and Venango providing free, confidential one-on-one consulting to current or prospective small business owners. In addition, she instructs educational programs and seminars for the SBDC.

Prior to joining the SBDC, Amy worked in the banking industry. She also has experience as a tax-preparer. She is a PennWest Clarion graduate.

Amy meets with clients at the PennWest Clarion SBDC main office and at outreach locations within Forest and Venango counties.

Aleshia Marshall (amarshall@pennwest.edu)

Aleshia Marshall, Business Outreach Consultant at the PennWest Clarion SBDCAleshia has been a business consultant with the PennWest Clarion SBDC since November 2017. The counties that she serves include Elk, Potter and McKean providing free, confidential one-on-one consulting to current or prospective small business owners. In addition, she instructs educational programs and seminars for the SBDC. Aleshia specializes in preparing comprehensive business plans that include financial forecasts, as well as providing general management assistance.

Prior to joining the SBDC, Aleshia worked in the private sector as an account representative at a machine company. She also has retail experience and is a former intern at the PennWest Clarion SBDC. She is a PennWest Clarion graduate.

Aleshia meets with clients at the PennWest Clarion SBDC main office, via Zoom, and at outreach locations within Elk, McKean, and Potter counties. 

 Corry Riley (criley@pennwest.edu)

Corry Riley, Business Outreach Consultant at the PennWest Clarion SBDCCorry Riley graduated from PennWest Clarion and began working at the SBDC as a consultant in May of 2005. Corry serves Cameron and Clearfield counties, providing free, confidential one-on-one business consulting to current or prospective small business owners. He also provides assistance with research, marketing, employee handbooks, QuickBooks accounting software, and general management assistance. Corry instructs educational programs and seminars for the SBDC, including the popular QuickBooks seminars. Corry is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. 

Corry meets with clients at the PennWest Clarion SBDC main office and at outreach locations within Cameron and Clearfield counties.

Jason Strohm (jstrohm@pennwest.edu)

Jason Stohm, Business Outreach Consultant & Computer/Business Analyst at the PennWest Clarion SBDC

Jason Strohm is a business consultant at the SBDC. He joined the PennWest Clarion SBDC in October of 2017. He serves Jefferson and Armstrong counties, providing free, confidential one-on-one consulting to current or prospective small business owners. He also provides research, marketing, and general business consulting. Jason is a graduate of PennWest Clarion. He has started and overseen multiple businesses of his own.  He also has experience in web and graphic design, communications, marketing, and teaching.

Jason meets with clients at the PennWest Clarion SBDC main office and at outreach locations within Jefferson and Armstrong counties.

Jeanne Best (jbest@pennwest.edu)

Jeanne Best, Marketing & Training Coordinator at the PennWest Clarion SBDC

Jeanne Best joined the PennWest Clarion SBDC in January 2018. Jeanne is responsible for  coordination of training events and marketing them in all ten counties served by the SBDC. She  also facilitates, teaches and does follow-up reporting for workshops, classes and other training  events.

Jeanne has over 20 years of experience in many areas of business, including: management,  operations, marketing, sales, customer service, human resources, and finance.  She has  worked  in numerous industries, such as:  marketing, education, health care, philanthropy and technology.  Jeanne is an entrepreneur by nature and strives to help others start their own successful businesses. 

Di Smith, Assistant Budget Director (dismith@pennwest.edu)

Di Smith, Assistant Budget Director at the PennWest Clarion SBDCDi processes all necessary budget transactions, invoices, etc. She assists clients and counselors to obtain various types of business information requested.

 

 

 

 

PennWest Clarion SBDC Partners 

The PennWest Clarion Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program is a public-private partnership that leverages the resources of government, higher education and the business community to facilitate the growth of small businesses in Armstrong, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Pottter, and Venango counties in Pennsylvania.

The PennWest Clarion SBDC is sponsored and partially funded by PennWest Clarion. Additional funding, support, and resources are provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Department of Community & Economic Development) and the United States Small Business Administration.


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Service Partners

The PennWest Clarion SBDC is an accredited affiliate of the national network of Small Business Development Centers.

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The PennWest Clarion Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program has many partners for regional economic performance:

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The PennWest Clarion Small Business Development Center county partners are included in the alphabetical list below.

In order to meet the varied needs of entrepreneurs and small firms, the PennWest Clarion SBDC is an active participant in their community through involvement with a wide range of public and private organizations. These relationships allow for cross referral of clients and cooperative consultation services and training programs. The PennWest Clarion SBDC has strong working relationships with the following organizations among many others:

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