The center was awarded the maximum annual allowable grant for a women’s business center in the amount of $150,000. The only WBC located in Western Pennsylvania, E-Magnify joins forces with the 99 other WBC’s that exist nationwide to assist women in starting, growing and expanding their small businesses.

“I am delighted to announce that Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify was recently distinguished as a Women’s Business Center by the U.S. Small Business Administration,” said Seton Hill University Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, Mary Ann Gawelek. “Drawing upon more than a decade of experience in providing innovative programming, essential resources, and networking opportunities to women entrepreneurs, this distinction enables the center to add depth and breadth to its programming, with special emphasis on women that are socially and economically disadvantaged.”

“As a Women’s Business Center, we join the U.S. Small Business Administration family of resources, fueling E-Magnify’s long-standing commitment to supporting women business owners in this region,” said Jayne H. Huston, director of Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify. We consider the designation both a vote of confidence for the support we have provided to the women entrepreneurs we’ve served over the years, but more importantly, we consider it an opportunity—quite frankly, a responsibility—to provide an even greater level of services to our current and future women business owners.”

Continued Huston, “The goal of E-Magnify’s WBC program is to positively impact the economy by helping women-led companies grow their revenues and add employees, as well as assist aspiring women entrepreneurs start a business venture. E-Magnify will continue to focus on the unique needs of women entrepreneurs by offering them access to web-based training, best-practice business information, peer-to-peer mentoring, and one-on-one counseling sessions. And we will continue to build upon our strong partnerships with Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), SCORE small business counselors, the SBA Pittsburgh District office, and other groups with similar missions, to help the women we serve seize opportunities and realize their dreams.”

“Government doesn’t create jobs, but instead helps to create the climate where jobs are created,” said Congressman Tim Murphy. “That means providing the canvas—the partnerships, the Small Business Administration, the funding for dynamic programs such as this—where the will, can-do spirit, and skills to do things come to fruition. They make a business grow and thrive, and become a dynamic part of the community. What a blessing for Southwestern Pennsylvania.”

“The next critical ingredient for the overall success of women business owners is taking those who are already successful to the next level,” said U.S. Small Business Administration Pittsburgh District Office Director Carl B. Knoblock. “E-Magnify knows what strategies are necessary in helping to elevate women business owners to that next level of success.”

The WBC program, established by Congress in 1988, is administered by the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership and promotes the growth of women-owned businesses through business training and technical assistance, and provides access to credit and capital, federal contracts, and international trade opportunities. Intended for a five year project period, the grant must be matched by private funds. E-Magnify’s service territory covers the 27 counties in Western Pennsylvania served by the SBA’s Pittsburgh District Office: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Washington and Westmoreland.

“Seton Hill University’s designation as a WBC reinforces our long tradition of supporting and encouraging the advancement of women,” said Seton Hill President JoAnne Boyle. “Since its launch 15 years ago, the center has helped thousands of women entrepreneurs start and grow their companies, by remaining steadfast in its efforts to provide mentoring, networking and educational programming.”

Approximately 75 guests attended the announcement, including faculty, staff, alumni and trustees of Seton Hill, and Western Pennsylvania business leaders. Special guests included U.S. Congressman Tim Murphy; Senator Bob Regola; Katie Morgan, District Manager, Senator Bob Regola’s Office; Murrysville Mayor Joyce Somers; Murrysville Councilwoman Nancy Kacin; U.S. Small Business Administration Pittsburgh District Office Director Carl B. Knoblock; and U.S. Small Business Administration Pittsburgh District Office Technical Representative Barbara Fisher. Seton Hill University Assistant Professor of Music Therapy Laurie Jones performed.