Casey Pushes Bill to Help Pennsylvania Startup Companies Grow and Create Jobs

PITTSBURGH, PA – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today called on Congress to quickly pass a bill to help startup businesses in western Pennsylvania and throughout the Commonwealth grow and create jobs.

“Business incubators help businesses get off the ground, create jobs and revitalize communities, which is why we need legislation to support them in communities that need them the most,” said Senator Casey. “The small business executives with me today are prime examples of the success stories incubators make possible, and I will continue to fight to ensure they have the resources they need to help our communities prosper.”

Senator Casey is pushing legislation he has cosponsored, the Business Incubator Promotion Act (S. 2140), to ensure that U.S. Economic Development Administration funds have a fair shot at going to small business incubators in communities that need them most. For example, an increased percent of funds would be available in areas with higher rates of unemployment. The bill also cuts through red tape to quicken the pace that funds are made available.

Senator Casey stood at business incubator Riverside Center for Innovation with two small business executives who were able to grow their companies and create jobs utilizing the center’s resources. Chloe Velasquez, owner of a water bottling startup Sabio Springs, was hindered by the recession but through the help of the incubator is now hiring and expanding. Anthony Molinaro of Allen & Shariff Engineering has grown the firm’s Pittsburgh presence from 2 to 19 employees thanks to the incubator’s services.

A business incubator is an economic development tool designed to accelerate the growth and success of entrepreneurial companies through an array of business support resources and services. A business incubator's main goal is to produce successful firms that will leave the program financially viable and freestanding.

Those who utilize incubators’ resources are better able to create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, commercialize critical new technologies and strengthen local economies.

A list of small business incubators in the region is below:

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