Grant supports small-business center

The FirstEnergy Foundation recently awarded a $20,000 grant to support Edinboro University’s Center for Branding and Strategic Communication, which assists start-up businesses in the Edinboro region with comprehensive public relations, graphic and web design, and video production.

The center launched in the spring and served 11 clients and engaged nearly 60 students on a variety of projects. It is part of the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network, a collaborative initiative between Edinboro, Gannon University, Mercyhurst University, and Penn State Behrend.

“This is truly a project that connects Edinboro University’s students, faculty and staff with the small-business community in an effort to practice what we teach in the classroom,” Michael Hannan, interim president of Edinboro University, said. “This support from the FirstEnergy Foundation enhances our capability to serve the region through this real-world application.”

The center previously was funded by grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission (Department of Community and Economic Development), the Economic Development Administration (Department of Commerce), Ignite Erie (Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority), and Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.

The Beehive Network employs undergraduate students. It also provides graduate assistantships and stipends to two to four graduate students who work to develop collaborative creative and innovative projects.