Penn State Outreach has announced the strategic alignment of the Small Business Development Center and the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program. Heather Fennessey, director of the SBDC, will assume leadership responsibilities for PennTAP.

The new organizational structure will create a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs, Fennessey said.

“What we’re trying to do is locate similar, complimentary business services in one place,” she said.

The SBDC at Penn State, which provides free, confidential consulting services to individuals looking to start or grow a small business, was founded in 1997 to assist entrepreneurs in Centre and Mifflin counties.

PennTAP provides a variety of services to Pennsylvania business and industry, offering objective and experience-based technical and workforce assistance in areas such as information technology, energy, environmental health and safety, manufacturing innovation, and new product development.

Entrepreneurs and businesses interested in more information can call 863-4293.