Offers a team of consultants that meet with entrepreneurs to help launch their business, discuss existing business plans, and develop goal meeting strategies. Consultants have expertise in the following areas: Accounting, Business Continuity, Business Planning, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Management, Financial Analysis, Marketing and Advertising, Market Planning and Research, Research, Strategic Planning, Tools and Checklists, and Website Marketing and Development.

Fosters relationships between individuals, community leaders, health care providers, human service personnel, business representatives, and government leaders in order to address the physical, social, mental, and environmental health needs of Tioga County. Services include a comprehensive online resource directory, drug and alcohol prevention education, summer recreation programs, transportation coordination, Family Engagement Initiative facilitation, and fiscal sponsorships.

Offers courses for prospective or early-stage entrepreneurs which teach the basics of starting a business and producing a business plan. Also offers the Microloan Program which provides loans and technical assistance to groups of 10-15 entrepreneurs who collectively guarantee the loans, mitigating the risk of lending to borrowers with limited collateral and credit history. - Women's Business Center - In September 2015, we received an SBA grant to start a Women's Business Center. This center will expand on our current training programs as well as providing specific workshops, seminars and consulting for women-owned businesses. - Women's Leadership Circles--An innovative program designed for women leaders to cultivate transformational leadership to impact life, business, community -- especially our lowest income communities. - Social Enterprise Accelerator/Pitch Competition--highly regarded program for prospective social enterprises which provides business plan workshops, individual Technical Assistance,

Provides business planning and counseling, referrals and mentoring, workforce development, and financial options/counseling.

Offers a 10-week program that provides business development counseling and assistance for new and existing enterprises.

Supports entrepreneurs in the successful creation of a new or emerging business. Provides furnished office space in the MERC facility where they can conduct administrative duties and use conference room. Technical assistance is provided on an as-needed basis.

Provides certification for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) as part of the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PA UCP) and business development services.

The Franklin County Planning Department provides staff support primarily to the Agricultural Land Preservation Board and the Planning Commission. Staff support is also provided to the County Board of Commissioners as requested. "The guiding principles of the Franklin County Planning Commission include: "Promote economic development to revitalize communities, "Sustain open space and the aesthetic and historic characteristics of the County, " Protect farms, forests, and streams, and; " Safeguard our recreational and valuable natural resources. " The Planning Commission intends to maintain these principles by: " Providing guidance and sound community planning advice to local governments, " Emphasizing regional cooperation in planning efforts, and; " Fostering growth and development that will complement existing infrastructure. The Planning Commission intends to carry out this mission efficiently and in an environmentally responsible manner with respect for the role of local government in protect

Provides networking and educational opportunities and events to nurture a collaboration of representatives from community groups including human services, health, medical, clergy, government, education, and persons from the general public. Contact Bryell Turner or email [email protected] to be added to the mailing list or for information about scheduled programs. Please visit the website for program descriptions.