Lancaster, PA – Today, Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin toured the Candy Factory, a six-floor coworking space in Lancaster that houses a technology-focused startup accelerator program run by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania (BFTP/CNP), an initiative of DCED.

“In the past several years, we’ve seen the city of Lancaster develop into a thriving entrepreneurial and small business community,” Secretary Davin said. “Places like the Candy Factory and the Ben Franklin TechCelerator within it are a significant part of that growth. It’s great to see so many new ideas turn into successful businesses right here in Lancaster, and the Wolf Administration is proud to support it.”

The Candy Factory offers affordable, open-design coworking space for small businesses, freelancers, remote workers, and non-profits. The facility is also home to the BFTP/CNP’s TechCelerator @ The Candy Factory, which offers an intensive eight-week startup accelerator for the area’s emerging tech entrepreneurs. In addition to providing expert technical assistance and business advice, the program provides funding to assist entrepreneurs with startup costs as well as the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to investors. To date, the BFTP/CNP’s TechCelerators have launched dozens of startups that have created nearly 200 full or part-time jobs in the central Pennsylvania.

“We are excited that Secretary Davin was able to visit The Candy Factory and our Ben Franklin TechCelerator,” said Steve Fafel, portfolio manager with BFTP/CNP. “We also appreciate that he made time to visit with four startups that Ben Franklin is working with to create high-wage jobs and a strong technology sector here in Lancaster. The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA is thrilled to come alongside these and other startup technology companies throughout our region and support them with the resources they need to succeed.”

The Candy Factory and the TechCelerator align with the goals of the Wolf Administration, including promoting entrepreneurship, developing the workforce, and supporting small business job creation. The BFTP/CNP, one of four regional Ben Franklin Technology Partners across Pennsylvania, is an initiative of DCED and funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.

For more information about the Wolf Administration’s commitment to supporting technology entrepreneurship, visit the DCED website, or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Michael Gerber, DCED, 717.783.1132

# # #