PENNTAP Provided $11.4 Million in Benefits to Pa. Businesses

March 15, 2001

University Park, PA - - - Penn State’s Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PENNTAP) provided 640 cases of technical assistance to 500 businesses in all 67 counties in 2000.

Nearly half of the businesses were in counties designated as economically distressed, notes Jack Gido, director of PENNTAP.

According to a year-end report, PENNTAP clients reported $11.4 million in economic benefits including cost savings, sales increases, and capital investments. More than 100 jobs were created or saved as a result of PENNTAP assistance. PENNTAP reported a 99 percent client satisfaction rate.

Also in 2000, PENNTAP initiated an e-business Assistance Service and helped 80 companies in 30 counties with online business, web sites, Internet service providers, domain registration, search engine registration and positioning.

PENNTAP, a statewide network of technical specialists, helps Pennsylvania businesses improve their competitiveness by providing free technical assistance and information to help resolve specific technical questions or needs that can be addressed within a limited amount of time.

The program focuses on helping smaller businesses that normally do not have the in-house expertise or time to resolve specific technical questions or needs. Last year, 70 percent of PENNTAP’s clients were businesses with fewer than 50 employees.

Serving Pennsylvania business and industry since 1965, PENNTAP is a federal-state-university partnership for economic development and one of the nation’s first technical assistance programs.

For information, assistance, or a copy of the annual report, contact penntap@psu.edu or visit www.penntap.psu.edu.

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Contact:

Dana Bauer (814) 865-3477 dxb33@psu.edu