Small Business and Technology Development Center

The North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is an organization that is devoted to providing information and support to small businesses of the state. The organization was founded in 1984 and is associated with the North Carolina university system with its main office located at North Carolina State. It also receives its funding from the university system. The SBTC has branch offices located throughout the state at the campuses of the North Carolina university system. It operates with the US Small Business Administration, an agency of the federal government. The SBTDC aims to use the resources of the university system to provide aid to small business owners of North Carolina.

One of the main services the SBTDC provides is confidential, free business counseling for North Carolina small business owners. The organization offers advice on subjects like marketing, financing, and strategy. The counselers employed by the SBTDC are university staff members. Since the organization was founded in 1984, over 70,000 people have taken advantage of its counseling services. Unlike other organizations that help business owners, the SBTDC does not offer financial assistance.

The SBTDC also provides aid to small business owners in obtaining government contracts. The primary service that the SBTDC offers to business owners is a computer program called PROBID which matches the profiles of business owners to available government contracts. The advantage of this system is that it saves business owners time because they do not have to search for available contracts on their own. The subscription for this service costs $225 per year. The SBTDC also provides workshops throughout the year in various locations around the state on contract procurement.
http://www.sbtdc.org

Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council

The Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council (BREC) is an AdvantageWest program that facilitates the development of entrepreneurs in western North Carolina.

-Helps local businesses raise capital
-Encourages private equity investors to evaluate western North Carolina businesses
-Recruits high-growth businesses to the region
http://www.brecnc.com/

Blue Ridge Angel Investor Network

The Blue Ridge Angel Investor Network (BRAIN) is a group of individual investors that provides capital for start-up businesses.

-Mentor and coach chosen entrepreneurs
-Provide opportunities for members to obtain outstanding financial returns
http://www.brainnc.com/index.cfm

Mountain BIZWorks

Mountain BIZWorks is a non-profit organization that provides training, coaching, and lending services to start-up and existing businesses in the twelve western-most counties of North Carolina.

-Help entreprenuers develop business plans
-Provide one-on-one business coaching
-Provide capital to open or expand businesses
http://www.mountainbizworks.org/index.php

Score: Counselors to America’s Small Business

SCORE is an association of volunteer business executives providing professional guidance and information to entrepreneurs and small business owners.

-Provides guidance for start-up companies
-Helps businesses manage technical, marketing, financial and operating issues
http://www.scorewnc.org/

Small Business Center at Southwestern Community College:

Entrepreneurs, both currently in business and contemplating starting a business, have found the Small Business Center of great value. No-fee services provided include counseling and assistance with business plans, marketing, production and accounting controls, and a variety of other business issues. Additionally, the Small Business Center regularly schedules business seminars offered for a nominal fee and maintains a host of reference materials for use by business owners. Seminars are offered on a scheduled and customized basis in the three county area (Jackson, Macon and Swain).

For more information, go to: http://www.southwesterncc.edu/swain/small-bus-ctr/index.htm

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