Pennsylvania State University

The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program’s (PennTAP) PA-RIT3A initiative will continue to enhanceand expand a vibrant economic ecosystem throughout Pennsylvania. The program will identify business strategies for small to midsized enterprises (SMEs) that will foster regional economic growth in distressed communities. Additionally, PennTAP will structure a support system that incorporates design thinking in which we seek to understand the manufacturers’ challenges and redefine problems in an attempt to identify alternative strategies and solutions that might not be instantly apparent. PennTAP’s efforts will be focused on the manufacturing sector in the communities surrounding the Penn State campuses, many of which are distressed communities. Over half of Penn State’s Innovation Hubs are situated within the boundaries of designated Environmental Justice areas and PA Qualified Opportunity Zones. PennTAP will continue to provide expertise and transformative technical assistance to develop, implement, and support regional strategies that result in job creation with the overall goal of raising the standard of living.