WORC Offering Small Business Assistance Across Pennsylvania

State lawmakers and the Shapiro administration launch $21 million initiative to support small and historically disadvantaged businesses

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Women's Opportunities Resource Center (WORC) has been selected as one of 11 organizations to lead the Pennsylvania Small Business Assistance Service Center initiative, receiving close to $600,000 in grant funding. The program will provide tailored support including one-on-one counseling, accounting assistance, and contract procurement help to promote growth and capital access for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees and $1 million or less in revenue.

Why it matters

This initiative aims to address the challenges faced by small, vulnerable, and historically underresourced businesses in accessing financial resources, technical support, and valuable networks to drive their growth and success, especially in the current economic climate.

The details

The WORC program, titled the PA Business Center of The Southeast Region, will integrate entrepreneurial training and development, loan capital, and financial education to help clients start or expand businesses and establish credit. The tailored services will reach clients in multiple languages and cultures across the five-county region of Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery.

  • The Shapiro administration recently announced the launch of the initiative.
  • The WORC was selected as one of 11 organizations to lead the Business Assistance Service Centers' initiative.
  • The WORC was presented with close to $600,000 in grant funding by the legislature to administer the program.

The players

Women's Opportunities Resource Center (WORC)

A nonprofit organization chosen to lead the PA Business Center of The Southeast Region, providing tailored support and resources to small and historically disadvantaged businesses.

Josh Shapiro

The Governor of Pennsylvania who invested more than $21 million to establish the 11 Business Assistance Service Centers across the state.

Iola Harper

The Executive Director of WORC, who expressed enthusiasm for the organization's role in driving business transformations and building for the future of their clients.

Lynne Cutler

The Executive Board Chairwoman and Founder of WORC, who stated that the organization is pleased to receive this distinguished award to build on their years of work helping low-income individuals and people of color start and grow their businesses.

Joanna McClinton

The House Speaker who appeared at the news conference announcing the initiative.

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What they’re saying

“In today's economic climate, the need for small, vulnerable and 'historically underresourced' businesses to access financial resources, technical support and valuable networks to drive their growth and success are more important today than ever. We are truly proud to be selected as one of Gov. Josh Shapiro's Small Business Assistance Centers. WORC is at the forefront of ensuring our clients are uniquely prepared to grow to scale – collectively formulating capital, partnerships and a leveled playing field to address diverse business challenges.”

— Iola Harper, Executive Director, WORC (South Philly Review)

“WORC is so pleased to receive this distinguished award, it will build on the years of our work of helping low-income individuals and people of color get the concrete resources needed to start and grow their businesses.”

— Lynne Cutler, Executive Board Chairwoman and Founder, WORC (South Philly Review)

The takeaway

This initiative demonstrates the Shapiro administration's commitment to supporting small, vulnerable, and historically underresourced businesses in Pennsylvania, providing them with the resources, technical support, and access to capital needed to start, grow, and succeed in the current economic climate.