State lawmakers and members of the Shapiro administration recently announced the launch of the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center PA Small Business Assistance Service Center.
The Shapiro administration invested more than $21 million to establish 11 Business Assistance Service Centers across Pennsylvania, providing tailored support for small and “historically disadvantaged” businesses. These centers offer one-on-one counseling, accounting assistance and contract procurement help to promote growth and capital access. The initiative includes partnerships with local organizations to provide on-the-ground support to businesses with fewer than 25 employees and $1 million or less in revenue.
The WORC was chosen as one of 11 organizations to lead the Business Assistance Service Centers’ initiative and presented with close to $600,000 in grant funding by the legislature to administer the program. The WORC program is titled the PA Business Center of The Southeast Region. It will integrate entrepreneurial training and development, loan capital and financial education into a cohesive system that enables clients to build not just income but wealth in the five-county region – Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery. The WORC’s tailored services reach clients in multiple languages and cultures, helping participants start or expand businesses and establish credit.
“In today’s economic climate, the need for small, vulnerable and ‘historically underresourced’ businesses to access financial resources, technical support and valuable networks to drive their growth and success are more important today than ever. We are truly proud to be selected as one of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Small Business Assistance Centers. WORC is at the forefront of ensuring our clients are uniquely prepared to grow to scale – collectively formulating capital, partnerships and a leveled playing field to address diverse business challenges,” said Executive Director Iola Harper. “Coupled with my enthusiastic belief in the vision, mission and values of WORC, I am excited to leverage my experience in driving business transformations and building for the future of our clients to drive continued innovation, growth and success.”
Appearing at the news conference were House Speaker Joanna McClinton, state Ses. Vincent Hughes and Sharif Street and state Reps. Anthony Bellmon, Gina Curry, Leanne Krueger, Napoleon Nelson, Gina Curry and Darisha Parker.
“WORC is so pleased to receive this distinguished award, it will build on the years of our work of helping low-income individuals and people of color get the concrete resources needed to start and grow their businesses,” said Lynne Cutler, executive board chairwoman and founder.
To learn more about WORC and the PA Business Center of The Southeast Region, visit www.worc-pa.com or follow WORC on Facebook, X and Instagram. ••
