Small Business Development Thrives in Cumberland County, PA Cumberland Valley is a great place to start a business. It is the fastest growing county in Pennsylvania and within a three-hour drive of Washington DC, Baltimore, New York City, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. View resources below on where to get started to move your business forward. Getting Started Helpful Articles Other Resources Success Stories GETTING STARTED Whether you are just getting started, or already operate a successful business that you are looking to expand by location or market, a strong plan will keep you on track and is required for most financing programs. Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation can help you navigate through each step in the process. Items to consider include: A thorough business plan and financial projections showing three years are required. The Small Business Development Center in Shippensburg offers assistance with these items for free. Historical Financials (if you are expanding an existing business) Financing – we offer a variety of fixed rate loan programs to help. (All previously listed items are required to assess eligibility for financing.) An attorney to assist with filing your business name, drafting organizational documents, etc. A financial planner to discuss retirement plans and insurance coverage A succession plan to plan the future of your business Your local Chamber of Commerce can connect you with the business community Will you need training for employees? Harrisburg Area Community College offers a variety of free training programs. HELPFUL ARTICLES Opening A Brick and Mortar Business Location How to Create A Business Budget How Small Businesses Impact Their Communities OTHER RESOURCES Small Business Development Center – Shippensburg University Confidential consulting at no charge by a staff of skilled professionals to develop planning, management and financial skills necessary for a business to thrive. Low cost workshops on a variety of topics relevant to starting and running your business. The Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania – Harrisburg Area Community College State funding available to businesses to support employee training programs covering a variety of skillsets. SUCCESS STORIES All Agribusiness Manufacturing Transportation & Warehousing Tourism Healthcare Military Professional Services Small Business Education Redevelopment/Reuse Retail Real Estate Cumberland Valley Creativity is on Full Display at The Cumberland Shop The Cumberland Shop, located in downtown Shippensburg, is dedicated to supporting and nurturing local artisans with ties to the Cumberland Valley. read full story Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses: Growing to Please Since 1962 In 2022, Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses celebrated its 60th anniversary, an amazing accomplishment for a local business that has grown from a small roadside stand to an independent garden center and destination shopping experience in Cumberland Valley. read full story TimeKeeper Tours Whether you are a visitor or a resident seeking a unique way to experience Carlisle's quirky and fascinating history, TimeKeeper Tours promises an entertaining and enlightening option. read full story Dalicia Ristorante and Bakery 2021 -- CAEDC provided Dalicia Ristorante and Bakery with a $29,683 tourism product development grant to fund equipment and fixtures at their new location in downtown Mechanicsburg. read full story Destiny Dairy Bar: Making Milk Fun Again Destiny Dairy Bar at Stover Farms makes milk fun again with their creative and flavorful A2 milk and ice cream. read full story Carlisle Events Impact on the Cumberland Valley Carlisle Events brings eight of the largest auto shows in the world to the Cumberland Valley each year read full story King West Art Collaborative 2022 -- CAEDC provided a $24,984.34 Tourism Product Development grant to help fund the creation of the King West Art Collaborative, an inviting communal space showcasing the work of local artists. read full story Duck Donuts Learn how a Mechanicsburg family combined their love of the beach and their love of donuts to create a thriving business. read full story West Shore Theatre 2019 -- CAEDC provided Friends of the West Shore Theatre with a $100,000 Tourism Product Development Grant as part of their $2.5 million fundraising effort to renovate and restore this community and cultural icon in the heart of downtown New Cumberland. read full story 12345...Next
