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Pennsylvania SBDC Celebrates Sixth Annual National SBDC Day With Keynote Russ Starke

Kutztown, PA (03/10/2022) — Pennsylvania SBDC to celebrate the Sixth Annual National Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Day with a State of Pennsylvania SBDC address Wednesday, March 16. Serving as guest keynote speaker will be Russ Starke, CEO of Think Company, PASBDC Advisory Board member and graduate of Kutztown University. Programming at the event includes a panel discussion spotlighting current challenges for small businesses in the areas of cyber security, rising agricultural costs and supply chain logistics due to international events. The PASBDC invites the public to join the livestream on PASBDC social channels from 10:45 a.m. to noon.

Starke has been a professional designer for more than 25 years, working with corporate and nonprofit clients as an award-winning digital strategist, experience designer, information architect, instructional designer, business analyst and project manager. Originally from Long Island N.Y., Starke holds an M.S. from Bloomsburg University in Instructional Technology, a B.S. in telecommunications from Kutztown University, and was an adjunct graduate faculty member and course designer for Philadelphia University's Digital Design and Instructional Technology programs from 1999-2010. Think Company is a service design and digital experience design and development firm headquartered in Philadelphia.

"We are thankful for thought leaders like Russ Starke who give of their time and knowledge to serve on the Pennsylvania SBDC advisory board and we are looking forward to his inspiring remarks on the current state of entrepreneurship in Pennsylvania as well as his remarks on the number one challenge facing many of our small businesses as they emerge from the pandemic, that is the ability to retain and recruit top talent," said PASBDC State Director Dr. Ernie Post.

SBDC Day will unite a network of nearly 1000 SBDC locations across the country that provide local businesses and entrepreneurs with the resources needed to succeed including America's veterans, women-owned businesses, underserved communities, and young entrepreneurs. As the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States, SBDCs also promote technology development, exports, and rural development. SBDCs play an essential role in the economic development of their states and local communities. Access to 2021 PASBDC economic impact is available in the 2021 PASBDC Annual Report.

This special day will be celebrated with social media campaigns, public relations initiatives and other online events. To follow SBDC Day happenings on social media, follow the hashtag #SBDCDay, #SBDCDayPA on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIN. For a full listing of Pennsylvania SBDC events and programs, visit http://pasbdc.org/events.

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About the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) supports Pennsylvania's economic development by providing entrepreneurs and small businesses with individual consultations, comprehensive education, and information necessary to help their businesses start, grow, and prosper. SBDCs deliver consulting services and educational programs through a network of 16 locations across Pennsylvania SBDC. Consultants work with entrepreneurs in confidential, one-to-one sessions to help them with issues, including new business development, shaping a business plan, investigating funding opportunities, and much more. SBDCs also address concerns about navigating and recovering during the COVID-19 crisis. Additional services include helping with disaster loan applications, long-term planning, economic loss estimations, and business preparedness. For more information on the Pennsylvania SBDC services and impact, please visit www.pasbdc.org.

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