As PSNK's future teeters, New Kensington business leaders stress the importance of The Corner Launchbox

Jim Radeshak was about 75% prepared to open a business with his wife, Christine, when he took a free course at The Corner Launchbox in New Kensington around two years ago.

The course, which met over about 12 weeks, was a “how-to business course” where attendees learned about starting a business and managing its logistics. It also offered legal help, said Radeshak, who manages The Feisty Goblin tabletop gaming shop in Downtown New Kensington.

“It was quite beneficial,” Radeshak said. “For a new business owner, it would have been very beneficial.”

Since opening in 2017, Penn State New Kensington’s The Corner Launchbox has helped more than 140 businesses, like The Feisty Goblin, open in the New Kensington area.

The Fifth Avenue site is part of Invent Penn State, a statewide initiative to spur economic development, job creation and student careers.

But with the threat of Penn State New Kensington closing, local leaders and business owners are concerned what that might mean to the New Kensington business community and economy.

“Without that there, it would cause fewer businesses to open,” Radeshak said. “People wouldn’t have business advice available.”

Penn State intends to maintain operations like the Corner Launchbox if the state and community organizations continue supporting those initiatives, said Bill Hager, interim regional director of strategic communications at Penn State’s Fayette, Greater Allegheny and New Kensington campuses.

“Assuming the commonwealth, as well as donors and corporate and community partners, continue their support, the university plans to maintain its Launchbox locations and the services they provide,” he said.

The Corner Launchbox has mentored more than 480 entrepreneurs, held more than 217 free community programs for small-business development, hosted more than 4,580 program participants and supported creation of more than 93 local jobs, Hager said.

“We want the community to know that we are here to assist and support new entrepreneurs and existing small-business owners, as well as serving as a conduit to other available opportunities,” Hager said.

Hager did not respond to follow-up questions regarding The Corner’s future.

The Corner also offers legal assistance for entrepreneurs and operates a co-working space and free small-business classes, networking events and speaker series.

Statewide, Penn State’s Launchbox and Innovation network features 23 sites within commonwealth campus communities. Of those, 19 provide specialized programs to launch startup companies.

The network is funded in part by state economic development money.

Nicole Vigilante, owner of Trovo in downtown New Kensington, took a six-week course at The Corner in January 2020, a month after she opened her business. There, she learned about entrepreneurship, accounting and marketing. She was able to network with other small-business owners in the area and she still keeps in touch with them.

“My background is not in small business,” Vigilante said. “I took advantage of the course and learned a lot and really got to know other business owners here.”

In fact, she is slated to give a business presentation at The Corner in May.

From a broader perspective, Penn State New Kensington’s possible closure would bring an “economic earthquake” to the New Kensington area, said Dan DeBone, president and CEO of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce.

“With the closure, there’s such an uncertainty of long-term sustainability at The Corner,” DeBone said.

DeBone sees an economic toll of job loss adding strain to the local economy. He fears reduced local spending, as students, faculty and visitors will no longer be there, leaving nearby businesses with revenue loss.

In addition, employers who relied on Penn State New Kensington to provide skilled graduates in their fields — specifically the health care, manufacturing and technology industries — will no longer have that pipeline, leading to a weakened workforce, he said.

Young people who would have attended the Upper Burrell campus would be forced to seek educational opportunities elsewhere.

“That is very concerning for us, especially that Westmoreland County struggles with population decline. We can’t afford to lose this institution that trains and develops young professionals,” DeBone said.

“That talent pool is going to be lost, and how can you replace that? You can’t.”

Vigilante agrees that, if The Corner is not able to continue its services, there will be a void in New Kensington’s business community.

“It would be a huge loss, and I don’t really know what would fill the void,” she said. “It’s a unique and special place that has all the services there in one spot.

“They’re a very valuable resource in the city and what we’re trying to do in the city with our revitalization efforts. They are really integral to all of it.”