To support the objectives of the Finger Lakes Food Processing Cluster Initiative, Rochester Institute of Technology is partnering with the Finger Lakes region Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) to:

Business Support:

The Small Business Assistance program is designed to:

Program partners will counsel small businesses to determine needs, identify new business opportunities, and facilitate building of networks and partnerships within the cluster.

Based on the specific needs presented, eligible companies will be referred to the Food Processing Cluster Advancement Program (the EDA component of this initiative) and to other state and federal programs as appropriate.

Workshops and Events:

The Small Business Assistance program will host cluster relevant informational workshops and networking opportunities for small businesses within the cluster. Check our Events page for upcoming workshops.

Register to receive announcements and updates.

Who is Eligible to Participate?

This SBA sponsored program is available to eligible small businesses within the Finger Lakes region who meet 7(j) requirements, such as a firm that is a participant in SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program, a small business concern located in a HUBZone, businesses located in areas of high unemployment or low-income, or firms owned by low-income individuals.

To learn more about eligibility for the FLFPCI SBA Program or for general program information, contact Mark Coleman at 585-475-4473 or mccasp@rit.edu

This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding should not be construed as an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded projects are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. 79% ($1.547M) of this project is federally funded.