COATESVILLE, PA — The Chester County Economic Development Council announced the new permanent home of the CCEDC Business Resource Center at 357 East Lincoln Highway in Coatesville, serving small business owners and entrepreneurs with free access to business coaching in such areas as financing, human resources and marketing.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on the evening of Tuesday, October 10th, organized by the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce and attended by Coatesville officials as well as the Business Resource Center’s primary partners West Chester University (WCU) and the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center (KUSBDC).
“After a fantastic foundational year incubating our first-ever Business Resource Center inside nth Innovation Center, we’re thrilled to move into our permanent home at this accessible location in the heart of downtown Coatesville,” said CCEDC President and COO Mike Grigalonis.
“The dedicated staff at CCEDC’s Business Resource Center are not only offering free services that teach business owners the skills they need to succeed. They will also partner with the City’s entrepreneur training efforts to expand much-needed capital and business resources, which is critical to the future of the City of Coatesville,” said James Logan, Coatesville City Manager.
Among those attending Tuesday’s celebration was Micah Holmes, head chef at The Butter Pecan Café owned by his mother Jamoca Harkins. The café that specializes in southern-style desserts recently opened down the street from the CCEDC Business Resource Center and is a tenant of the Made in Coatesville Small Business Incubator program, an initiative of the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance. Through CCEDC’s  New Business Champions program, Harkins received thousands of dollars in free services including business plan coaching, startup services and mentorship from subject matter experts.
Thirty-six Coatesville business owners have benefitted from CCEDC’s New Business Champions program since it launched in February 2022 to help small businesses develop critical entrepreneurial skills. Underrepresented businesses were given priority during the application process, with 87 businesses served across Chester County through funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Workforce and Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). The CCEDC Business Resource Center will also offer access to the PA Catalyst Loan Fund, which provides low-interest loans to business owners who haven’t qualified for conventional bank debt.
Services at the CCEDC Business Resource Center are by appointment to accommodate the schedules of entrepreneurs who may be working additional jobs as they grow or get their new businesses off the ground. In addition to free, one-on-one coaching, the center holds workshops on financing, business development, marketing and management strategies.
CCEDC Business Resource Center is located on the 2nd floor of 357 East Lincoln Highway in Coatesville. Interested small business owners and entrepreneurs can set up an appointment at https://ccedcpa.com/business_resource_center/.
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