b'BUSINESS OUTREACHIn 2022, the WCIDC Business Outreach Program met with 51 companiesto better understand their challenges and to make them aware of existing programs and new initiatives that could help grow their businesses.We referred 25 clients to the countys affiliate economic-development service providers.Additionally, our Marketing Team helped 44 Westmoreland County businesses with their site-related needs.Challenges for CompaniesWe ask every business we visit to identify their biggestpercent of respondents that still report significant challenges. For the seventh consecutive year, workforcenegative financial impacts from Covid-19 may turn is the greatest concern; 42 percent of the companies weto bank loans or other sources of debt financing.met with ranked this as their largest concern. (Related:Site requirements: 12 percent reported a need for The 51 businesses we met with had more than 580site necessities for business-expansion purposes. combined job openings at the time of our visits.) TheAnother 12 percent ranked business-assistance past two years have brought on significant changes ininformationspecifically as it pertains to digital the workforce, especially when it comes to how andtransformationas their top challenge. The where people do their jobs. It appears that workers wantmajority of the companies we met with are actively businesses to continue to offer the remote and hybridpursuing digital technology to gain a competitive work models that increased in popularity in 2020.edge in todays business environment.The need for financial assistance was theOnly 1 percent of respondents cited the second-most cited (23 percent) challenge.need for transportation alternatives While the job market makes things toughas their biggest concern.for small businesses, the need for capital is high due to inflation, supply-chainChallenges Workforce - 42% Covid-19 impact - 5%issues and rising wages. With pandemic- Financial Assistance - Business Assistance - 5%related relief programs ending, the 523% Site Requirements - 12% Transportation -1%Technology -12%CollaborationThe WCIDC Business Outreach Program is a member of Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance (PREP), a state network of business-assistance partners that help companies start, grow and prosper. The PREP network offers one-on-one counseling, workshops, online training and financial incentives to support our job creators. In fiscal year 2021-22, PREP contributed $37,310 in funding that helped us market economic development opportunites in Westmoreland County. Our efforts complement the Engage! program, a state initiative that features professionals who connect with and assist businesses across the state. Engage! funding provided for 30 business visits in 2021-22.6'