Directory of Small Business Providers by State/Possession

IDAHO

ORGANIZATION:

Boise State University - Idaho SBDC

ADDRESS:

1910 University Drive

Boise, ID 83725-1655

CONTACT: Mr. James Hogge, State Director

TELEPHONE: 1-800-225-3815 or (208) 426-1640

FAX: (208) 426-3877

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.idahosbdc.org

E-MAIL: jhogge@boisestate.edu

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: Mission: To provide direct counseling and training services to individual small businesses in Idaho through a sustained and increasingly effective higher education based network.

INFORMATION SERVICES: Through contracts with data centers, the Center provides secondary market research for small business clients, access to almost all databases, information services, and state and Federal information sources.

AREAS OF INTEREST: Entrepreneurship training in the form of a business planning course called "FastTracNxLevel." A packaged course of study covering 12 weeks, very structured, end result is a comprehensive business plan.

Other services are divided into one-on-one consulting and training programs (non-credit workshops and courses). Workshops (3-4 hours) on special topics.

HOLDINGS: Specialized small business libraries are maintained in each of six regional offices.

LIMITATIONS: Try to avoid serving big businesses (will do referral work for them), but focus on people who generally can't afford services. Serve all small businesses and focus on businesses with 50 or fewer employees.

PUBLICATIONS: Currently 4 newsletters which will be reduced to 2 (one on general information, one on technology), brochures.

SOURCES OF FUNDING: 1/3 federal (through the SBA), 2/3 state and local (from institutions of higher education).

NUMBER OF STAFF: 6 offices statewide: 26 full-time, 4 part-time, about 60 volunteers, plus student interns.

FOUNDED: 1986

CLIENTELE: 40% start-ups, 20% new product ideas (not businesses), 40% existing businesses.

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: Idaho.

IMPACT ON REGION: Operate an evaluation system on all workshops, programs, and clients (quarterly) and participate in the National Impact Survey administered by the National Association of SBDC's (a research firm conducts survey).

ILLINOIS

ORGANIZATION:

Illinois Small Business Development Center (Illinois Department Of Commerce & Community Affairs)

ADDRESS:

620 East Adams Street, Third Floor

Springfield, IL 62701-1696

CONTACT: Mr. Mark Petrilli, State Director

TELEPHONE: (217) 524-5700

FAX: (217) 524-0171

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/Entrepreneurship+and+Small+Business/

E-MAIL: mpetrill@commerce.state.il.us

ORGANIZATION:

Women's Business Development Center

ADDRESS:

8 S. Michigan Avenue

4th floor

Chicago, IL 60603

CONTACT: Hedy M. Ratner and S. Carol Dougal, Co-Presidents

TELEPHONE: (312) 853-3477

FAX: (312) 853-0145

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.wbdc.org

E-MAIL: wbdc@wbdc.org

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: The WBDC provides technical assistance to women entrepreneurs who are aspiring to or expanding their businesses. WBDC helps women business entrepreneurs in starting and expanding their businesses in such areas as management, finance, marketing, government contracting, WBE certification, and entrepreneurship. The WBDC also strives to enhance the climate in which women business owners can prosper through advocacy and major conferences.

INFORMATION SERVICES: Softshare automated federal bid matching database and software system. Access data base.

AREAS OF INTEREST:
WBDC Services for Entrepreneurs:

• Certification of women business enterprises
• Entrepreneurship Training and Workshops
• One-on-One Business Counseling
• The Women's Business Finance Program
• The Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference and WBDC/Chicago and the Annual Women's Business and Buyers Mart
• Women's Business Enterprise Initiative
• Mentor/Protegee Program and Strategic alliances
• Advocacy for women's economic empowerment

HOLDINGS: Videos on small businesses and business planning, print, video resources for business development and expansion.

LIMITATIONS: Access to training programs is available through scholarships, which the WBDC provides, and through fees. Counseling is available to all current and interested business owners free of charge. Services through the Women's Business Finance Program and Women's Business Enterprise Initiatives are available.

PUBLICATIONS: Brochures, calendar of events, quarterly brochures on training programs, "About Women's Business," published 3 times a year, other promotional materials as needed.

SOURCES OF FUNDING: Government agencies, corporations, foundations, and individuals.

NUMBER OF STAFF: 22 full-time, 8 part-time.

FOUNDED: Founded in 1986 by Co-Presidents Hedy M. Ratner and S. Carol Dougal.

CLIENTELE: Age of businesses: 48% start-up, 52% on-going. Demographics: 57% minority, 43% majority. Types of businesses: 60% services, 15% construction related, 12% retail, 7% manufacturing, 6% wholesale.

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: Greater Chicago area, including the following counties: Cook, Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, DuPage, Kane, DeKalb, Kendall, Will, and Kankakee.

IMPACT ON REGION: Have served over 35,000 women in Illinois through government contracting, entrepreneurship training, finance, and all other programs.

Through its financial assistance program, the WBDC has helped women-owned businesses obtain millions of dollars in loans since its establishment in 1986.

The WBDC has also helped create 6,000 to 8,000 new jobs in the Chicago area, including those created by new sole proprietors who are now self-employed.

New Programs:
Child Care Business Initiative and Child Care Business Microloan program. Women;s Tech and Venture Center to provide resources and referrals and connections to equity investor and venture capital for women run businesses.

ORGANIZATION:

Women's Self-Employment Training Project (WSEP)

ADDRESS:

20 N. Clark, Fourth Floor, Suite 400

Chicago, IL 60602

CONTACT: Connie E. Evans, President

TELEPHONE: (312) 606-8255

FAX: (312) 606-9215

INTERNET ADDRESS: N/A

E-MAIL: cevans@interaccess.com

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: WSEP is a non-profit organization serving Chicago's low and moderate-income women. Through a combination of technical assistance, training, loans, support and public policy activities, WSEP helps women start and operate their own small businesses, called "microenterprises." WSEP was the first organization to adapt a Bangladeshi model of group lending to America's urban context.

INFORMATION SERVICES: WSEP has created guides to city certification written in lay terms. Customers can come to WSEP's offices and use the binders during business hours.

AREAS OF INTEREST: Business development, economic development, welfare reform, asset-building initiatives, self-employment training and development for public aid recipients, micro lending for microenterprises, business networks for women entrepreneurs, economic self-sufficiency.

HOLDINGS: "Letting Go" - a video on leaving welfare through self- employment.

LIMITATIONS: Limited to low and moderate-income women living in the city of Chicago.

PUBLICATIONS:

• Illinois Public Aid Policy Barriers and Disincentives to the Self-Employed Initiative of the AFDC Recipient ($8.00).
• Preliminary Results of the Independent Business Women: A Demonstration Project in Self-Employment for AFDC Recipients ($14.00).
• Final Report on the Independent Business Women Demonstration Program ($20.00).
• Group Lending Exchange, January, 1990 Workshop Report ($11.00).
• Group Lending Track: Proceedings and Case Studies - October, 1990 Workshop Report ($3.00).
• A Report on the Development and First Three Years of the Operation of the Full Circle Fund-- The Grameen Bank Adapted Group Lending Loan Program Model of the Women's Self- Employment Project, Inc. ($10.00).
• Letting Go! A Film about Women Transferring from Welfare to Self-Sufficiency (video, $39.95).

SOURCES OF FUNDING: Government grants and contracts, foundation and corporate giving, program fees, individual gifts, consulting contracts.

NUMBER OF STAFF: 17 full-time, 3 part-time.

FOUNDED: 1986

CLIENTELE: 85% African-American, 11% Caucasian, 4% Other. Majority are single heads of households. At least 25% receiving public aid. Majority have household incomes under $18,000. WSEP works with more business start-ups than any other organization in the city.

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: Chicago area. One program particularly serves the following communities in Chicago: Englewood, Edgewater, Uptown, and Rogers Park.

IMPACT ON REGION:
Figures for fiscal year 1993:

• 110 loans to business, totaling $202,104
• 90 women completing business training programs
• 150 women served through the group lending program
• Approximately 500 businesses in operation

INDIANA

ORGANIZATION:

Indiana Small Business Development Center Network

ADDRESS:

One North Capitol, Suite 900

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

CONTACT: Mrs.Debbie Bishop-Trocha, State Director

TELEPHONE: (317) 234-2082

FAX: (317) 232-8872

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.isbdc.org/

E-MAIL: N/A

ORGANIZATION:

Columbus Enterprise Development Corporation

ADDRESS:

4920 North Warren Drive

Columbus, IN 47203

CONTACT: Jack Hess, President

TELEPHONE: (812) 379-4041

FAX: (812) 372-0228

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.cedcorp.com/

E-MAIL: jhess@cedcorp.com

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: Provides small business assistance under three programs: Small Business Development Center, Manufacturing Technology Services, and a Business Incubator.

INFORMATION SERVICES: Prodigy, local Internet access.

AREAS OF INTEREST:

1. Business Incubator
2. SBDC Program
3. Manufacturing Technology Services Program (MTS) -- field engineering program, help small manufacturers (marketing, troubleshooting, financial assistance)
4. Micro Lending Program -- initiative is underway

HOLDINGS: The CEDC has over 150 vertical file entries and more than 600 resources on the subject of small business and entrepreneurship, CD-ROMs, and videos.

CD-ROMs

• Census of Population & Housing 1C 1990
• Census of Population & Housing 3A 1990
• Census of Population & Housing 3C 1990
• Census of Population & Housing: Equal Opportunity 1990
• Census of Population & Housing 1A 1990
• County Business Patterns 1989-1990
• Current Population Survey 1989,90,91
• Dialog on Disk Thomas Register 1994
• Economic Census 1987
• USA Counties 1992
• Encyclopedia of Associations
• Statistical Abstract of the United States 1993
• National Trade Data Bank 1994

VIDEOS

• Clarisworks Made Easy
• Closing the Deal
• Creating a Winner: Real Secrets of Successful Marketing
• Effective Follow-Up
• How to Deal with Buying Options
• How to Get a Business Loan Without Signing Your Life Away
• How to Create a Successful Business Plan
• How to Really Start Your Own Business
• How to Succeed in a Home Business
• How to Write a Winning Business Plan
• In Business with Macintosh
• Making Effective Sales Calls
• Personal Training for Macintosh System 7
• Profit Net
• Raising Capital: How to Finance Your Business
• Starting a Running Business
• Successful Sales Relationships
• Women in Business: Meeting the Challenge

LIMITATIONS: None. Although services are geared toward residents of 5 counties that they serve, at no cost.

PUBLICATIONS: Information brochures, publish a newsletter on a quarterly basis, annual reports, in process of creating a business resource directory.

SOURCES OF FUNDING: Federal funds to support the SBDC, state funds, about $40,000 in the private sector, $35,000 from the city of Columbus, $40,000 from the incubator to the Corporation.

NUMBER OF STAFF: 7 full-time, no part-time, volunteers in the form of advisory board members.

FOUNDED: Incubator established in 1986 and the Corporation began in 1989 as the umbrella organization.

CLIENTELE: 50% start-up and 50% existing business, emphasis on small manufacturers and services.

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: 5 counties in southcentral Indiana.

IMPACT ON REGION: Client surveys, needs assessments with area businesses.

RECOMMENDED:

1. Northwest SBDC program -- hosted by Northwest Indiana Forum, Jeanine Holcomb, Director, (219) 942-3496.
2. SBDC - Indianapolis, Steve Thrash, Statewide Director of SBDCs, (317) 264-6871.

ORGANIZATION:

Eastside Community Investments, Inc.

ADDRESS:

26 North Arsenal Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46201

CONTACT: Dennis West, President

TELEPHONE: (317) 637-7300

FAX: (317) 637-7581

E-MAIL: N/A

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: The mission of Eastside Community Investments, Inc. (ECI) is to invest in improving the quality of life for our community. ECI attracts private investment and equips families to become participants in the private economy. ECI works to build assets and a strong community for its families, individuals and institutions. It pursues its mission by making investments in people, buildings, land and industry. These investments are directed toward increasing wealth and building a stronger community.

INFORMATION SERVICES: N/A

AREAS OF INTEREST:

• Initiated classes to teach the development of business plans leading to investments by ECI, through the Self-Employment Loan Fund program.
• Developed a 40 acre industrial park (home to 28 businesses).
• Invested over $1,000,000 through a Small Business Investment Company, Circle Ventures.
• Established a Revolving Loan Fund (capitalized at $800,000) which is investing in small businesses.
• Developed the cottage industry of child care into a cooperative of nine family day care businesses.

HOLDINGS: N/A

LIMITATIONS: Special consideration given to low-income residents of the near east side of Indianapolis.

PUBLICATIONS: Brochures, and a quarterly update and annual report.

SOURCES OF FUNDING: Grants from local and national religious and philanthropic organizations; government grants; contributions from individuals, businesses and institutions; development fees.

NUMBER OF STAFF: 51 full-time.

FOUNDED: 1976

CLIENTELE: Residents of the near east side community in Indianapolis.

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: Highland-Brodeside area (Washington St. on south; I-70 on north; I-65 on west; Sherman Drive on east.

IMPACT ON REGION: ECI touches the lives of 1000 residents of the near east side of Indianapolis daily. They are neighbors who own homes, rent homes, borrow from our loan funds, use the services of our family day care homes, our education or training programs, or our employees.

ORGANIZATION:

Entrepreneur Business Center

ADDRESS:

55 S. State Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46201

CONTACT: John Griffin, EBC Manager

TELEPHONE: (317) 236-0143

FAX: (317) 236-0145

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ebc-indy.com/

E-MAIL: ebc-indy@ebc-indy.com

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: Created to foster the development and success of small and emerging businesses in Indianapolis.

INFORMATION SERVICES: Batorlink - worldwide e-mail system with access to various services (Dunham Bradstreet, bulletin boards for incubator managers, for example). Available at EBC through National Business Incubation Association.

AREAS OF INTEREST: Have a program at incubator at least once a month - programs on a variety of business related issues for smaller businesses (for example, "Basics of Personnel for Small and New Businesses," "Voice Mail, Pagers, and Current Communications Technology," "Venture Capital and Other Sources of Financing," "Tax Planning," and "How to Sell to the Government").

HOLDINGS: 10 minute video, "Small Business Incubators," produced by SBA and Coopers & Lybrand.

LIMITATIONS: None. Work with both prospective and current tenants.

PUBLICATIONS: Periodic newsletter (have done 3 to date).

SOURCES OF FUNDING: Privately owned.

NUMBER OF STAFF: 1 1/2 full-time, the rest are self-employed, advisory board works on a volunteer basis.

FOUNDED: May 1993

CLIENTELE: Presently working with 50 companies. Half are in the service industry (1/3 of these are in computer related fields, 1/3 in marketing, 1/3 other), the other half are manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors.

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: Greater Indianapolis area.

IMPACT ON REGION: Initially, focus on growth in the number of tenants. Ultimately, focus on their employment figures and growth of revenue.

ORGANIZATION:

Indianapolis Regional SBDC

ADDRESS:

One North Capitol Avenue, Suite 900

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

CONTACT: Debbie Bishop, Executive Director

TELEPHONE: (317) 234-2082

FAX: (317) 232-8872

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.isbdc.org/

E-MAIL: dbishop@isbdcorp.org

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: MISSION: To stimulate the economic development of the Indianapolis regional community by providing business management and technical assistance, business training, and special programming to existing, emerging, and new businesses.

INFORMATION SERVICES: The center is university-based and electronically connected to the IUPI library. Have access to the Internet which gives them a whole host of sources -- access to business and technical data (Infotrac, DIALOG). Statewide network hosts 24-hour FAXBACK retrieval system online which provides access to information on business-related topics.

AREAS OF INTEREST: Have many programs. One is the International Business and Trade Center (joint venture with Dept. of Commerce, Indiana State Dept. of Commerce and other private sector partners) -- goal is to provide assistance to existing manufacturers that are developing from a new-to-export strategy to a proactive strategy. The Center helps in planning for international expansion in 3 areas by accessing and developing three areas:

1. Management commitment
2. Financial resources
3. Product readiness

The second program is the Indianapolis Construction Alliance. This is geared toward building the capacity of minority, women and small disadvantaged businesses in the construction, trade, and construction-related areas. Components of the Alliance:

1. Training Program (12-week intensive courses)
2. Financing, Insurance, and Bonding Programs
3. Networking Component (helps get access to contracts)
4. Mentor-Protege Program
5. Loan Executive Program (general contractor loans personnel to a small company)

HOLDINGS: CD-ROMs on their network, Thomas Register, National Trade Databank, US census material.

LIMITATIONS: Any business with less than 500 employees has access to their free services.

PUBLICATIONS: Newsletters and brochures are in the works. Plan to use the FAXBACK system to get their information on programs out to clientele.

SOURCES OF FUNDING: U.S. Small Business Administration, city of Indianapolis, IUPUI, multiple private sector contributions.

NUMBER OF STAFF: 5 full-time counselors, 1 full-time office administrator, have students who do data entry, about 50 active private sector volunteers (do more than just administrative tasks, actually meet and work with clients).

FOUNDED: Established within the university in 1988.

CLIENTELE: 63% are existing companies, the rest are start-ups, (12% are in the manufacturing business).

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: Central Indiana.

IMPACT ON REGION: Judged on the economic impact on the community. Do impact survey. Latest results for 1993, based on 22% client respond rate over 10 million dollars generated through sales increase, job creation, job retention, capital investment, and contract procurement.

ORGANIZATION:

Northeast Indiana Business Assistance Corporation - SBDC

ADDRESS:

1830 Wayne Trace

Fort Wayne, IN 46803

CONTACT: Cynthia McBride, Director

TELEPHONE: (219) 426-0040

FAX: (219) 424-0024

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.neisbc.org

E-MAIL: cmcbride@isdbc.org

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION:

MISSION: "To reduce unemployment, increase competitiveness, create self-employment opportunity, and to encourage economic revitalization in Northeast Indiana."

VISION: "NIBAC will provide the leadership necessary to forge partnerships among northeast Indiana communities and business assistance organizations to create economic growth among new and existing businesses.

INFORMATION SERVICES: HANDSNET Database (information about other community activities), part of EDIN Network (economic development and information network), PC Globe in the Export Assistance Center, National Trade Databank, census information database, technology transfer network under MTS program, Permit Assistance Database.

AREAS OF INTEREST:

1. SBDC Mission Statement: "To increase the rate of successful new business formation, and contribute to the growth and prosperity of existing Indiana business. Providing for management and technical assistance needs of new and emerging small businesses through in-depth counseling, training, and referral services, delivered via a network of regional centers and satellite offices."
2. Manufacturing Technology Services Mission Statement: "The Manufacturing Technology Services program will educate manufacturers and their employees to increase the skill level of northeast Indiana's work force and to increase the competitiveness of those manufacturers."
3. TQM Network Mission Statement: "The Northeast Indiana Total Quality Management Network will provide area wide leadership of quality, actively promote quality improvement and act as a catalyst so that all organizations, communities, and individuals in the area become more successful."
4. TQM Network Vision Statement: "Northeast Indiana will become known internationally in the business and educational communities for the quality of it's products, services, people and work life."
5. Export Assistance Center: "The Export Assistance Center will promote export of goods and services from the United States, to assist export motivated and capable firms to realize their export potential by providing individualized counseling and advice; overseas market insight information; and relevant overseas promotional activities.
6. Supplier Quality Network: "To form a learning network and share the quality systems, knowledge, methodologies, and manufacturing systems that member companies use to reduce costs and continue to improve their products, services and operating performance."

2 sub-programs:

1. Minority Business Outreach (help minority businesses in record keeping, accounting)
2. Partnership with urban enterprise zone and Fort Wayne Housing Authority to identify those who want to be self-employed, provide 80 hours of training, hope is that they'll incubate these businesses off-site and will eventually become self-sufficient.

HOLDINGS: Federal Register, Commerce Business Daily, Harris Directory on disc.

LIMITATIONS: None. Most services are free.

PUBLICATIONS: TQM newsletter, Tri-fold, annual report, news releases.

SOURCES OF FUNDING: Federal, state and municipal funds, businesses interested in economic development, and some grants.

NUMBER OF STAFF: 6 full-time, no part-time, 13 member advisory board for SBDC, TQM Network steering committee, 12 member advisory board for Manufacturing Technology Services Program.

FOUNDED: June of 1987

CLIENTELE: Small businesses as defined by the federal government (500 or less employees), activities are 60% start-up and 40% existing and on-going client base.

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: 9 counties in northeast Indiana: Adams, Allen, Dekalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley.

IMPACT ON REGION: Conduct client survey and impact survey.

Statistics from the Impact Survey (Jan. 1990-93):

• 960 businesses had started up
• Created 604 full-time jobs, 732 part-time jobs, resulted in over $2.3 million in new business investment
• 756 jobs saved
• The addition of 288 full-time jobs in existing businesses, 52 part-time jobs
• Existing business new investment was over $1.5 million

IOWA

ORGANIZATION:

Iowa Small Business Development Center (Iowa State University - College of Business Administration)

ADDRESS:

340 Gerdin Business Bldg.
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011

CONTACT:

Mr. Jim Heckmann, State Director

Ellen Nystrom, Asst. Director/Accountant

TELEPHONE: (800) 373-7232 or 515-294-2030

FAX: 515-294-6522

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.iowasbdc.org/

E-MAIL: iowasbdc@iastate.edu

KANSAS

ORGANIZATION:

KSBDC STATE OFFICE (Fort Hays State University)

ADDRESS:

214 S.W. 6th St., Suite 301

Topeka, KS 66603-3719

CONTACT:

Mr. Wally Kearns, State Director

Mr. Stan Compton, Associate State Director

TELEPHONE: (785) 296-6514

FAX: (785) 291-3261

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ksbdc.biz/

E-MAIL:

ksbdc@fhsu.edu

ksbdc.wkearns@fhsu.edu

KENTUCKY

ORGANIZATION:

Kentucky Small Business Development Center (University of Kentucky - Center for Entrepreneurship)

ADDRESS:

225 Gatton - College of Business and Economics

Lexington, KY 40506-0034

CONTACT: Becky Naugle, Ph.D., State Director

TELEPHONE: (859) 257-7668 or (888) 475-SBDC

FAX: (859) 323-1907

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ksbdc.org/

E-MAIL: Lrnaug0@uky.edu

ORGANIZATION:

Business and Industry Technical Assistance Center - BITAC (Hazard Community College)

ADDRESS:

Hazard Community College

One Community College Drive

Hazard, KY 41701

CONTACT: Julia B. Mitchell

TELEPHONE: (606) 436-5721, ext. 8066

FAX: (606) 439-3821

INTERNET: N/A

E-MAIL ADDRESS: Julia.Mitchell@kctcs.net

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: Center started as a pilot project with the philosophy of job creation through entrepreneurial training.

INFORMATION SERVICES:

• Free business consulting on start-ups or expansions. Assistance with preparation of business plan.
• Entrepreneurial classes offered.
• Computer institute offered to businesses and general public on latest software programs.
• Workforce training programs offered for specific businesses for pre-hire and post-hire upgrade of skills
• Welfare to work skills upgrade training programs.
• Full conferencing center available with large convocation hall, multiple rooms for meetings and instruction. Full catering services available for small and large events.
• 2 IT-V rooms on campus for teleconferencing.
• 20 station computer lab with internet hookup with ATM line for training. Other campus labs also available.
• Expertise in developing Computer Based Training CD-Roms for industry, especially in secondary wood industry.
• ACT WorkKeys Scoring Center
• ACT WorkKeys job profiler on staff.
• DACUM profiler on staff.
• Artisans Center and Business Incubator in Knott County opening in 2002.
• Emphasis in promoting economic development in the region.

AREAS OF INTEREST:

• Entrepreneurial Training Programs.
  
• Other Training Programs -- programs designed for a particular job that the community has expressed a need for (for example, psychiatric technical training program, hospitality training program).
• Consulting/Counseling Services -- 1200 hours of counseling per year at no charge, business plan developing to licensing.
• Workshops -- hands on, offer 30 per year (cash flow, shoplifting, bag checking).
• Networking -- partnership program, have a network of 82 partners, try to combine all the different resources to maximize their service.

HOLDINGS: Business library with books, reference materials, and videos.

LIMITATIONS: None.

PUBLICATIONS: Brochures about entrepreneurial training program, and general brochure about the center, Chamber of Commerce is housed in BITAC so they offer various publications.

SOURCES OF FUNDING: Seed money from University of Kentucky Community College, the city of Hazard, tuition from some programs, some grant money.

NUMBER OF STAFF: 8 full-time, over 10 part-time, SCORE/ACE volunteers (chapter operates out of BITAC).

FOUNDED: 1986

CLIENTELE: Mostly dislocated workers seeking to make a transition in their lives, also work with on-going businesses.

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: 8 counties in Kentucky (in 1992 two more independent centers were launched in Kentucky, is a bill to start 11 more centers in the state), also do some work in West Virginia (plan to start centers there as well).

IMPACT ON REGION: Measured by the number of businesses started per year, by the dollar impact of businesses started, number of clients served, number of workshops and training programs and the number of participants.

LOUISIANA

ORGANIZATION:

Louisiana Small Business Development Center (University of Louisiana at Monroe)

ADDRESS:

Admin. 2-57

Monroe, LA 71209-6435

CONTACT: Ms. Mary Lynn Wilkerson, State Director

TELEPHONE: (318) 342-5506

FAX: (318) 342-5510

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.lsbdc.org/

E-MAIL: wilkerson@ulm.edu

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: The Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) is a program designed to coordinate the specialized management and technical assistance needs of the small business community throughout Louisiana. The LSBDC is comprised of fourteen centers located throughout the state. The Louisiana SBDC links the resources of its consortium members with those of local, state, and federal agencies and the private sector. These resources are utilized to assist small businesses in areas which promote growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity, and management improvement.

INFORMATION SERVICES: Louisiana Electronic Assistance Program (LEAP) - a computerized bulletin board and database system aimed at meeting the business and economic development information needs of the state. Funded through LSBDC (contact Dr. Jerry Wall, (318) 342-1215).

AREAS OF INTEREST:

1. LEAP
2. International Trade Center at the University of New Orleans - provides assistance to people who want to export, import, and/or invest.
3. Coordinate and conduct continuing education programs and offer special programs for women, veterans, and inventors on an as needed basis. Provide one-to-one counseling.

Other objectives include:

• Economic diversification, growth, and innovation through increased small business start-ups and expansion programs.
• Managerial efficiency in functional areas such as marketing, finance, personnel, and production.
• Expansion of exporting opportunities.
• Assistance to economically and socially disadvantaged persons.

HOLDINGS: Resource library containing reading material on starting and managing a small business. Statistical information for use by potential and existing small business managers for planning and controlling their small business.

LIMITATIONS: Serve Louisiana small businesses or anyone who wants to go into business in the state.

PUBLICATIONS: Quarterly newsletter, brochures.

SOURCES OF FUNDING: 40-45% funded by SBA, matched by state dollars, some university money.

NUMBER OF STAFF: 30 full-time, 17 part-time, 60 volunteers (around the state).

FOUNDED: July 1983

CLIENTELE: 40% start-up, 60% on-going.

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: Louisiana.

IMPACT ON REGION: Number of jobs created, amount of money returned to the economy, look at how many people come to counseling and training sessions, and survey clients annually.

RECOMMENDED:

1. All SBDC's in the country.
2. Business Opportunities Center, LSU in Baton Rouge, LA contact: Charlie D'Agostino

ORGANIZATION:

Acadiana Regional Development District

ADDRESS:

601 Loire Ave

Suite C

P.O. Box 90070

Lafayette, LA 70509

CONTACT: Stan McGee, General Manager

TELEPHONE: (337) 886-7782

FAX: (337) 886-7081

INTERNET ADDRESS: http://ardd.org

E-MAIL: ardd@bellsouth.net

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: Provides long-range economic development, comprehensive and special project planning, technical assistance and regional program administration for the municipal and parish governments in its eight parish area.

INFORMATION SERVICES: Census Data Center Affiliate; technical assistance for State business incentive programs; site specific demographics; various planning documents and studies; geographic information system (GIS) services, reapportionment services; enterprise zone information; website development and management.

AREAS OF INTEREST: Administer regional programs for the benefit of the member governments and citizens; counsel individuals who want to expand their business or go into business; operate a small business revolving loan program; provide technical assistance; entrepreneurial training; grants management; support community development, economic development, industry inducement, industry retention, and import/export trade opportunities; administer a WIA/Older Worker Progam; Welfare-to-Work Program Administrator.

HOLDINGS: None.

LIMITATIONS: Within eight-parish district.

PUBLICATIONS: Maintain District Overall Economic Development Program, published "Hurricane Andrew -- A Strategy for Economic Recovery"; Industrial Park listings, numerous parish and municipal planning documents; Coastal Zone Management studies, and others.

SOURCES OF FUNDING: Membership dues from parish councils/police juries and municipalities, planning grant from EDA, job training grant from U.S. Dept, of Labor; entrepreneurial training grant from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture; and administrative funds from various programs operated on behalf of our member governments.

NUMBER OF STAFF: 8 full-time, 1 part-time, 2 temporary/part-time.

FOUNDED: 1967

CLIENTELE: Elected officials, consultants, engineers, school officials, private citizens, citizen groups, non-profit community agencies, State and Federal officials, and businesses.

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: Southcentral Louisiana comprising of the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermillion.

IMPACT ON REGION: Provide crucial support services and information for the activities of member governments, local economic developers, businesses, community agencies, and citizens.

ORGANIZATION:

Louisiana Capital Certified Development Company, Inc.

ADDRESS:

302 La Rue France

Suite 200

Lafayette, LA 70508

CONTACT: P. Andre Fruge

TELEPHONE: (337) 234-2977

FAX: (337) 234-3009

INTERNET ADDRESS: N/A

E-MAIL: N/A

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION: Louisiana Capital, a private, non-profit corporation, through a public/private partnership between participating lenders and the United States Small Business Administration, offers small businesses long term fixed asset financing through the SBA 504 Loan Program.

INFORMATION SERVICES: N/A

AREAS OF INTEREST: SBA 504 Loan Program, SBA 7A Loan Program.

HOLDINGS: N/A

LIMITATIONS: Most healthy, expanding businesses qualify for consideration if Net Worth of the company and affiliates is $6 million or less and Net Income over the previous two years has averaged less than $2 million. Expansion and start-up projects which create jobs and involve the purchase of fixed assets such as land and building or construction, and fixed machinery and equipment can be considered.

PUBLICATIONS: Brochures, quarterly newsletter

SOURCES OF FUNDING: SBA 504 origination and servicing fees.

NUMBER OF STAFF: 3 full-time.

FOUNDED: August 15, 1983 as Lafayette Centre Certified Development Company, Inc.

CLIENTELE: Healthy, expanding businesses.

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: The following 8 parishes of Louisiana: Acadia, St. Mary, Vermilion, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin.

IMPACT ON REGION: Number of jobs created by the program. During FYE 1993, Louisiana Capital was responsible for the creation of over 400 jobs available to our local residents.