A Profile of Small Business Owners in Rural Pennsylvania and Their Awareness of Publically Funded Business Assistance Programs

摘要: INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW Small businesses represent 90% of all and employ two-thirds the population in rural communities United States (Velazquez, 2006). In Pennsylvania, small play an even greater role, with 98% Pennsylvania employing fewer than 100 workers, according to Department Labor Industry. These also main source entrepreneurial activity employment growth most communities. It is important recognize that it not themselves, but entrepreneurs business owners who are lifeblood Pennsylvania's businesses. An understanding typical step assessing their needs delivering assistance services. The research this area typically descriptive nature contains little more basic statistical analysis. Moreover, majority recent literature examines at industry level rarely owner level. Much narrow scope, profiling only minority segments such as women or veteran owned owners. A select few studies examine broader group 2004 study by W. K. Kellogg Foundations looked entrepreneurship found 10.5% U.S. adult engaged some form "entrepreneurial activity" (W. & Corporation for Enterprise Development, 2004). Another study, Kauffman Index Entrepreneurial Activity (Fairlie, 2005), analyzed national data pertaining entrepreneurs, drawing conclusions about age, gender, race, regional location. While both these reports reaffirm importance regions, neither provides comprehensive profiles which necessary effectively create target programs. This presents a broad attempt second topic significant pertains assessment publicly funded financing technical programs (Goetz, Partridge, Deller Fleming, 2010). Forbes (2010) those organizations take advantage outside advice--whether professional informal--have been successful experienced stronger turnover counterparts. question whether government has role stimulating and, if so, how evaluate policy makes difference one (Atkinson, 2004; Forbes, 2010), Most owners, public affects them, echoes Atkinson's position on nation's long term economic along fact there differences between relates (Dabson, 2011). Following 2008/2009 recession, job generators choosing right policies put place (Baily, M., Dynan, K., Elliot, D., 2012). However, delve deep enough begin assist Although, available federal, state, local areas development assistance, way in-depth analysis frame policy. Objectives team Indiana University (IUP) faculty members were awarded grant from Center Rural pursue five objectives: * Create profile …