Services Directory

Business Advice and Networking Opportunities

Includes programs that offer business, legal, and financial counseling for individuals. Also included are organizations that give courses, seminars, and workshops. For related information on topics -- including business structuring and financial planning -- which are often covered in counseling or coursework, see the Business Owner's Manual.

• Counseling/Consulting
  Personalized assistance on most aspects of starting and growing a business.
  
  
• Courses and Educational Programs
  In-depth entrepreneur training programs and/or business-related courses.
  
  
• Workshops or Seminars
  Short programs on issues facing start-ups and small businesses.
  
  
• Business Libraries
  Special services and materials for businesses.
  
  
• Industry Associations
  Information, services, education and business connections.
  
  
• Networking and Support Groups
  Associations, mentoring organizations, and on-going support groups.

Dealing with the Government

For additional information see "Negotiating the Regulatory Maze" in the Business Owner's Manual.

• Government Listings
  Addresses and telephone numbers of selected government agencies.
  
  
• Government Regulations Assistance
  Help in learning about applicable regulations and "cutting through red tape".

Employer Guidelines

For background information on these topics, see the "Employer Guidelines" chapter in the Business Owner's Manual.

• Management and human relations services
  Training and/or counseling on management and personnel issues.
  
  
• Employee recruitment and training programs
  Assistance in finding suitable employees and/or offering employee training.
  
  
• Hiring and Training Incentives
  Tax savings and/or other benefits for hiring and training.

• Assistance in Using Technology/Improving Productivity
  Help in increasing competitiveness through improved productivity, new technology, management assistance,etc.
  
  
• Energy/Utility Cost Reduction Programs
  Help in reducing energy costs through technical assistance or incentives based on location, expansion, etc.

Financing Your Business

(Please note that banks and finance companies are not listed in the Services Directory database. A good source, besides your local business telephone directory, for finding information about banks is the U.S. Small Business Administration. Programs like the SBA's Guaranteed Loan Program reduce the risk to the lender by guaranteeing some or all of a loan for a fee. You can check the SBA Web site for more information on its programs, but you apply at a bank, not with the SBA.) For background information and other tips on obtaining financing, see "Financing Your Business" in the Business Owner's Manual.

• Community-Based Lenders
  These organizations typically apply more flexible lending criteria than do banks and other conventional lenders. They are more likely to loans to startups and to accept non-traditional forms of collateral. Loans range from $500 to $50,000.
  
  
• Special Loan Programs for Disadvantaged Populations
  These institutions have special programs for minorities and women and those in under-served neighborhoods. Loan amounts vary.
  
  
• Venture Capital Funds
  These funds offer seed and growth capital to firms with high growth potential in exchange for equity participation or high interest. Some are targeted to particular industries. Most investments are in excess of $500,000.
  
  
• Other Financing Programs
  Included in this category are bonding programs, government financing programs related to real estate acquisition/construction and job creation and some industry-specific programs.
  
  
• Grants
  Grants are given for a variety of uses, from commercial revitalization projects and storefront renovation to security improvement. These funds are often offered by local development corporations in the city.

Getting Contracts   

 

• Procurement/Contract Assistance
  Assistance in learning about and obtaining government and private contracts.
  
  
• Minority and Women-Owned Business Certifications
  Agencies certifying eligible businesses as minority or women owned for government contracting and other purposes.
  
  
• Export/International Trade Assistance
  Services to prepare companies to export and to help existing exporters compete in the global market.

Locating and Expanding

See the "Locating and Expanding" chapter for more information in the Business Owner's Manual.

• Location Assistance
  Assistance in identifying suitable sites and accessing incentive programs.
  
  
• Location Incentives
  Tax savings and other incentives for locating, expanding or hiring new employees in various parts of the City.
  
  
• Business Incubators
  Shared services and/or reasonable rents to start-up or small businesses.
  
  
• In Place Industrial Parks (IPIPs)
  Locations offering offer street and area improvements, security and other services.
  
  
• Economic Development Zones
  Areas offering a variety of financial benefits, including tax and wage credits, low-cost power and employee training.
  
  
• Local Development Corporations and Merchants Associations
  Offer services to local businesses including business planning, marketing, location and red tape assistance. Many of these services are referenced elsewhere in the database.