Entrepreneurs and small business owners in our region have access to a wide array of resources designed to support innovation, growth and long-term success. From business incubators and economic development organizations to university-led programs and funding opportunities, these resources provide vital services such as mentorship, training, networking and access to capital. Whether you’re launching a startup, expanding an existing company or seeking specialized support, these organizations are committed to helping businesses thrive while contributing to a vibrant and resilient local economy.
Chambers of Commerce
COLUMBIANA AREA CHAMBER
11 N. Main St.
Columbiana, OH 44408
330 482 3822
The Columbiana Area Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic organization established to support and promote local businesses. We are the driving force behind fostering economic development, providing valuable networking opportunities, and advocating for a thriving business community.
EAST PALESTINE AREA CHAMBER
P.O. Box 329
East Palestine, OH 44413
330 426 2128
The East Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization dedicated to the advancement of economic development and civic well-being for East Palestine and its surrounding communities.
FORWARD LAWRENCE-CHAMBER & ECONOMIC ALLIANCE
325 E. Washington St.
New Castle, PA 16101
724 658 1488
Forward Lawrence is a unified organization of the Lawrence County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation. It focuses on supporting good jobs, enhancing essential services and preparing local leaders for the future – all to make our community stronger and better for everyone.
GREENVILLE AREA CHAMBER
182 Main St.
Greenville, PA 16125
724 588 7150
Evan Gruver, executive director
The Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce is an association of businesspeople concerned about improving the area in which they do business. It’s a not-for-profit organization and its strength lies in the number and diversity of its membership.
GROVE CITY AREA CHAMBER
119 S. Broad St.
Grove City, PA 16127
724 458 6410
Beth Black, executive director
The Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit, membership-driven organization with over 250 members. Founded in 1952, it adds value to the local community by bringing people together to make our area a better place to live, work and invest in.
LISBON AREA CHAMBER
120 N. Market St.
Lisbon, OH 44432
330 424 1803
Judy Noel, executive director
The Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce‘s mission is to create a stronger, more supportive business community in the Lisbon area through advocacy, tourism, economic and professional development.
NEWTON FALLS AREA COMMERCE ASSOCIATION
17 E. Broad St.
Newton Falls, OH 44444
330 872 4015
The Newton Falls Area Commerce Association is comprised of local businesses and organizations that support and promote Newton Falls businesses and the community.
OHIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
34 S. Third St., Suite 100
Columbus, OH 43215
614 228 4201
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is the state’s leading business advocate and resource. It champions free enterprise, economic competitiveness and growth for the benefit of all Ohioans. Ohio Chamber members range from small businesses to international companies.
PENNSYLVANIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
417 Walnut St.
Harrisburg, PA 17101
800 225 7224
Headquartered in Harrisburg, and with staff in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley and Hazleton, today’s PA Chamber is the largest broad-based business association in Pennsylvania. Our membership comprises close to 10,000 member businesses of all sizes and industry sectors throughout the state.
RIVER VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
529 Market St.
East Liverpool, OH 43920
330 385 0845
Formerly known as the Southern Columbiana County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the River Valley Chamber has undertaken a complete overhaul of its leadership and local operations. Focused on branching out its business interests to the tri-state region, its aim is to broaden local markets and enhance its regional business interests.
SALEM AREA CHAMBER
210 E. State St.
Salem, OH 44450
330 337 3473
With a general membership of 350 businesses, organizations and individuals, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce is a partnership of business and civic-minded people who focus their interests on Salem and the surrounding area. Its mission is to serve as the catalyst that creates the best possible environment for business.
SHENANGO VALLEY CHAMBER
892 S. Dock St.
Sharon, PA 16146
724 981 5880
The mission of the Shenango Valley Chamber is to be an advocate for the business community, to promote strategic collaborations between business and community partners, to provide valuable benefits and services to members and to be a leader for economic development and quality of life efforts in the Shenango Valley.
U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1615 H St. NW
Washington, DC 20062-2000
202 659 6000
The U.S. Chamber informs members with timely policy analysis and legal advice, connects them with leaders in business and government through events and gatherings and equips them with tools and resources to help them succeed. The chamber’s America Works Initiative supports small businesses by focusing on fostering growth, increasing job creation, and addressing the unique challenges small businesses face.
WELLSVILLE AREA CHAMBER
439 Riverside Ave.
Wellsville, OH 43968
330 843 3475
The Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce supports small businesses by offering networking opportunities, advocacy, and increased visibility through its business directory and local events. They provide educational resources, discounts on services, and referrals, while also helping businesses grow by connecting them with financial support and mentorship.
YOUNGSTOWN/WARREN REGIONAL CHAMBER
City Centre One, Suite 500
Youngstown, OH 44503
330 744 2131
The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber has remade itself into an organization that, with several partners, will focus its energy and resources on transformative strategies to prepare the area for sustained economic and job growth. Those big-picture initiatives are part of an aggressive strategy meant to increase economic prosperity and improve the quality of life in the region.
Economic & Business Development
APPALACHIAN PARTNERSHIP INC.
31480 Chieftain Dr.
Logan, OH 43138
740 216 4449
Appalachian Partnership Inc. serves as the corporate parent of Appalachian Growth Capital, a U.S. Treasury designated CDFI that lends capital to small businesses, and Appalachian Development LLC, a company that works to ensure the region has the readily available building inventory necessary to support continued economic growth.
GREENVILLE REYNOLDS DEVELOPMENT CORP.
301 Arlington Drive
Greenville, PA 16125
724 588 3155
Bradley Gosser, executive director
Greenville-Reynolds Development Corporation is a not-for-profit agency that owns and manages three industrial and business parks on 1,200 acres, as well as Reynolds Water and Waste Companies.
GROWTH PARTNERSHIP ASHTABULA COUNTY
35 W. Jefferson St.
Jefferson, OH 44047
440 576 9126
The Growth Partnership team is committed to building sustainable economic opportunities for everyone in Ashtabula County.
NEW CASTLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Municipal Building
230 N. Jefferson St.
New Castle, PA 16101
724 656 3500
The Community and Economic Development Department of the City of New Castle receives funding from various sources to support local community development and economic development projects including Community Development Block Grant, HOME Grant, and other state/federal grants.
PENN-NORTHWEST DEVELOPMENT CORP.
3580 Innovation Way
Hermitage, PA 16148
724 662 3705
PNDC specializes in business development in northwestern Pennsylvania. The mission is to attract new business and industrial investment, provide outreach and retention services to support retention and expansion of value-added business and industry and provide coordination and support services for economic development in the Mercer County, Pa., region.
SHENANGO VALLEY ENTERPRISE ZONE CORP.
165 Euclid Ave.
Sharon, PA 16146
724 342 1300
The SVEZC has provided low-interest loans to business and industry since 1985. The Economic Development Division has a wealth of economic tools and services at its disposal to encourage existing businesses, new businesses, and businesses interested in relocating to Sharon to invest in the city and create or retain jobs.
VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
4319 Belmont Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44505
330 759 3668
Valley Economic Development Partners is a private, nonprofit organization focused on the social well-being of the Mahoning Valley and its surrounding regions. Our mission is to be a leader in developing employment opportunities through business creation, expansion and retention in collaboration with other regional organizations.
WARREN REDEVELOPMENT & PLANNING
333 Harmon Ave. NE
Warren, OH 44483
330 841 2738
Under contracts with the City of Warren, WRAP currently performs the following functions: commercial property development, business development, (per city codified ordinance), and development consultation.
Incubators & Innovation Hubs
BOUNCE INNOVATION HUB
526 S. Main St.
Akron, OH 44311
330 785 7403
Bounce combines purposeful programming – focused on building sustainable and scalable companies – with a physical location designed for collaboration and connectivity. Located in downtown Akron, the nonprofit organization comprises more than 300,000 square feet of coworking, event, meeting and professional office space.
BRITE ENERGY INNOVATORS
125 W. Market St.
Warren, OH 44481
330 395 3500
Brite provides complimentary entrepreneur support designed to start and scale energy technology solutions. Whether someone is looking for a first prototype, patent, customer, investor or grant, the BRITE team is there to help.
ECENTER@LINDENPOINTE INCUBATOR
3580 Innovation Way
Hermitage, PA 16148
724 981 1829
The eCenter@LindenPointe is a startup business incubator offering entrepreneurs a supportive environment, including infrastructure, education, training, mentorship, and a network of service providers to help them build their ideas into successful businesses.
VALLEY GROWTH VENTURES
241 W. Federal St.
Youngstown, OH 44503
Valley Growth Ventures is a “micro” venture capital investment fund created to generate strong financial returns by supporting high-growth technology companies across the state of Ohio, but with an emphasis on the Mahoning Valley.
YOUNGSTOWN BUSINESS INCUBATOR
241 W. Federal St.
Youngstown, OH 44503
330 746 5003
YBI works to capture the interest of the next generation of entrepreneurs in order to create a more diverse business community; one that is fully invested in re-energizing the economy, urban redevelopment and restoring the region’s manufacturing competitiveness.
University Programs
GROVE CITY COLLEGE
Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation
100 Campus Drive
Grove City, PA 16127
The Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation represents entrepreneurship as a mindset and equips students with a set of practical skills and experiences. Programs contribute to local and regional economic development by bringing students and the community together to solve problems cooperatively through service learning projects, volunteerism and targeted events.
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, John S. and Marlene J. Brinzo Center for Entrepreneurship
100 Midway Drive
Kent, OH 44242
330 672 1098
The center is open to all, especially those who have an idea, are attempting a new venture and/or want to incorporate their entrepreneurial mindset within a corporation. Services include funding opportunities, team of supportive alumni in specialized industries, dedicated business resource librarian and research station, networking with top local entrepreneurial organizations and more.
WESTMINSTER COLLEGE
Entrepreneurship Center
319 S. Market St.
New Wilmington, PA 16172
Information Desk: 724 946 6145
Westminster.edu/academics/schools/business/wec/index.cfm
Located in the school of business, the Entrepreneurship Center offers students the opportunity to be exposed to concept creation, innovation of ideas and business ownership strategies.
YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY
Williamson College of Business Administration
224 N. Phelps St.
Youngstown, OH 44503
Office of Dean: 330 941 3064
The primary goal of the Entrepreneurship Center at YSU’s Williamson College of Business Administration is the development of entrepreneurship initiatives and programs. A secondary aim is to communicate the entrepreneurship theme throughout the community. This is accomplished by hosting programs for students in grades 6-12 and adults interested in entrepreneurship.
Business Assistance
JUMPSTART INC.
1974 E. 66th St., Suite 200
Cleveland, OH 44103
216 363 3400
JumpStart Inc. is a nationally recognized entrepreneur support organization based in Cleveland. By investing in innovation, removing barriers, and fostering a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, JumpStart drives economic transformation and strengthens communities throughout Ohio and beyond.
MAHONING VALLEY MANUFACTURERS COALITION
241 W. Federal St.
Youngstown, OH 44503
As an industry-led sector partnership, MVMC is focused on the workforce needs of area manufacturers. Its membership includes mostly small- and medium- sized manufacturers, located in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties. MVMC promotes collaboration, innovation and education.
YOUNGSTOWN CENTRAL AREA COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORP.
242 W. Federal St., Suite 304
Youngstown, OH 44503
330 779 0601
The YCACIC is a private, nonprofit economic development organization operated exclusively for charitable purposes under Section 501 c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Youth Education Programs
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF EASTERN OHIO
1601 Motor Inn Drive
Northwood Center, Suite 305
Girard, OH 44420
330 539 5268
Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio provides quality education and learning experiences focused on entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work and career readiness. Its curriculum is provided free of charge to schools and school districts and aligns with federal and state standards and mandates. JA is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures and make smart academic and economic choices.
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WESTERN PA
90 Emerson Lane, Suite 1403
Bridgeville, PA 15017
412 208 4747
Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania is the region’s premier organization that inspires and prepares young people to succeed. Together with educators, families and the regional business community, JAWPA helps students simulate life beyond the classroom, giving them confidence to pursue their dreams.
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT USA
12320 Oracle Blvd. Suite 310
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
719 540 8000
Jack Harris, CEO
Junior Achievement’s proven lessons in financial literacy, work and career readiness and entrepreneurship are shown to positively impact the lives of young people. These lessons align with national and state educational standards and are delivered to millions of students across the country with the help of our education partners and volunteers from the local community.