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A Review of State
Business Assistance Websites

A C D F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W

Over a year has passed since we first put up our guide to individual state websites for businesses. The leap in quality by most states has been astounding! Their sites can save you hours worth of phone calls and trips to offices for needed forms. Most of them provide information on finding money to help your business start or grow.

For a simpler version of state resources, click here.

Alabama
Secretary of State's website: http://www.sos.state.
al.us/
Contact info for all state agencies: http://www.state.
al.us/apps/ agency-list-details.asp
Small Business Development Centers: http://www.sba.
gov/gopher/ Local-Information/Small-Business-
Development-Centers/sbdcal.txt
Not terribly useful for startups at this time.

Alaska
http://www.dced.state.ak.us/
http://www.dced.state.ak.us/investments/
Direct state loans for industries that do not get enough private capital. Current emphasis on Commercial Fishing, Fisheries Enhancement,and Small Business Economic Development (SBED). Small Business Development Centers: http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business- Development-Centers/ sbdcak.txt
Good site. The direct loans are a plus!

Arizona
http://www.az.gov/webapp/portal/topic.jsp?id=1158
Department of Commerce website http://www.azcommerce.com/smallbus.htm
SBA:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcaz.txt
Helpful.

Arkansas
http://www.aedc.state.ar.us/
Doesn’t answer a lot of the questions for startups and businesses that need assistance.
Small and Minority Owned Business:
http://www.aedc.state.ar.us/Small_Business/index.htm
Small Business Development Centers:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-
Information/Small-Business- Development-
Centers/sbdcar.txt

California
Welcome to California: Business
Great, comprehensive state site. It uses frames, so you'll have to do your own clicking!
SBA:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small-
Business-Development-Centers/sbdcca.txt

Colorado
http://www.colorado.gov/business.htm
Colorado Business Resource Guide (Use this page to guide you to start-up help, financing options, etc.:
http://www.state.co.us/oed/guide/
Small Business Development Centers:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small-
Business-Development-Centers/sbdcco.txt

Connecticut
http://www.state.ct.us/commerce.htm
http://www.cerc.com/
Central point of contact for business. Check their “Smart Start” program for new business. It really cuts a lot of time and effort.
Small Business Development Centers:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small-
Business -Development-Centers/sbdcct.txt http://www.cerc.com/cerc/cerc.nsf/pages/Planning?
OpenDocument&S11
Need money for your business? Here’s what Connecticut offers. Excellent site.

Delaware
http://www.delaware.gov/
http://www.delaware.gov/yahoo/Business
http://www.state.de.us/dedo/departments/finance/
busfin.htm
Lots of help for financing businesses. Delaware Innovation Fund: http://www.delawareinnovationfund.com/
Nicely organized, very helpful site.
Small Business Development Centers:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business- Development-Centers/sbdcde.txt
For women:
The Wilmington Women in Business site at
http://www.wwb.org/

District of Columbia
Washington DC Office of Local Business Development: http://brc.dc.gov/brchome.shtm
Start a Business:
http://brc.dc.gov/start/cklst/start.asp
Finance a Business:
http://brc.dc.gov/finances/index.shtm
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small
-Business- Development-Centers/sbdcdc.txt

Florida
http://www.dos.state.fl.us/startbus/index.html http://www.dos.state.fl.us/startbus/resource.html
specifically for small businesses. Adequate information but not particularly geared to small businesses and startups.
SBDCs:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcfl.txt
International Trade:
http://www.eflorida.com/

Georgia
http://www2.state.ga.us/Departments/doas/osmb/
yellowpgs.html
Appalachian Region Business Development Revolving Loan Fund http://www.dca.state.ga.us/economic/appregion.html
Bond Allocation Funding
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/economic/bond.html
State Financial Assistance Catalog
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/surveys/finasst.html
Federal, State & local programs to financially benefit businesses http://www.dca.state.ga.us/economic/ecodevpak.html
Small Business Resource Guide
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/economic/sbrguide.html
Extensive, excellent set of resources.
SBDCs:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small
-Business- Development-Centers/sbdcga.txt

Guam
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcgu.txt

Hawaii
http://www.state.hi.us/dbedt/
http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/small.html
Small Business Information
No detailed information about financial assistance for businesses.
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdchi.txt

Idaho
http://www.idoc.state.id.us/
Guide to Starting a business in Idaho http://www.idoc.state.id.us/Business/starting.html
Not very detailed site, could use more information to help small businesses find financing and commercial opportunities.
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcid.txt

Illinois
http://www.sos.state.il.us/departments/business_services/
business.html
Small Business Information Center http://www.sos.state.il.us/departments/securities/infocntr.html
SBDC:
http://www.sos.state.il.us/services/services_business.html
Much better than last year, still could use some focus on finding financing and providing small business opportunities.

Indiana
http://www.state.in.us/doc/
Starting a business in Indiana
http://www.state.in.us/sic/owners/index.html
Small Business Development Centers
http://www.state.in.us/sic/owners/appendf.html
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcin.txt
Assistance for businesses.
Financial help
http://www.in.gov/idfa/programs/
Good information, worth digging for.

Iowa
http://www.state.ia.us/ided/sbro/
This is the official Iowa Economic Development site. It has frames, so you have to check out the site itself to locate their many small business programs. Included are:
Targeted Small Business Financial Assistance Program. Assists Iowa small businesses with an annual gross of $3 million and at least 51% owned, operated and managed by disabled people, minorities or women.
Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA). Up to $1,000,000 in assistance (loans and forgivable loans) to help Iowa companies create and retain jobs or make capital investments in Iowa. This is done in partnership with other financing such as banks and private investment. CEBA also provides up to $100,000 “venture project” assistance for early stage and start-up businesses.
There are many forms of assistance available in Iowa with good information on the about what is available and which companies can qualify. Excellent informational site.
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcia.txt

Kansas
http://www.state.ks.us/business.html
http://kdoch.state.ks.us/ProgramApp/index_mm.jsp
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcks.txt

Kentucky
http://www.edc.state.ky.us/kyedc/entrance.html
Business Start-up:
http://www.edc.state.ky.us/kyedc/startup.html?2&
Minority & startup site:
http://www.edc.state.ky.us/kyedc/smbd.html?2&25
Great info!
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcky.txt

Louisiana
http://www.state.la.us/bus.htm
http://www.sec.state.la.us/comm/fss-index.htm
The Lousiana “One Stop Shop” for business. A lot of links to the things that will help businesses.
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcla.txt

Maine
Department of Economic and Community Development: http://www.econdevmaine.com/doing-biz.htm
Small Business Development Centers:
http://www.mainesbdc.org/
Maine Business Works:
http://www.mainebusinessworks.com/
Good resources but site navigation isn’t the easiest.
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcme.txt

Maryland
http://maryland.gov
Small Business Development Center:
http://www.bsos.umd.edu/sbdc/
Starting A New Business in Maryland:
http://business.marylandtaxes.com/newbusiness/new.asp
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcmd.txt

Massachusetts
Office of Business Development:
http://www.state.ma.us/mobd/
Starting a business in Massachusetts: http://www.state.ma.us/mobd/start_a_business.html
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcma.txt

Michigan
http://medc.michigan.org/
Guide to Starting a Business:
http://medc.michigan.org/services/startups/
Financial help:
http://medc.michigan.org/services/financial/
Office of Minority Business:
http://www.ecodev.state.mo.us/omb/
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcmi.txt

Minnesota
Department of Trade and Economic Development:
http://www.dted.state.mn.us/01x00f.asp
Financial Assistance:
http://www.dted.state.mn.us/01x00f.asp
Targeted Group and Economically Disadvantaged small businesses:
http://www.mmd.admin.state.mn.us/veninfo.htm
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business -Development-Centers/sbdcmn.txt

Mississippi
Development Authority:
http://www.mississippi.org/
Another site with frames. You can find info many programs, including starting a business, money, business assistance and minority business.
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business -Development-Centers/sbdcms.txt

Missouri
http://www.ecodev.state.mo.us/mbac/
Starting a new business:
http://www.ecodev.state.mo.us/mbac/basics.htm
Money (PDF file):
http://www.ecodev.state.mo.us/mbac/financing.html
Resources:
http://www.ecodev.state.mo.us/mbac/helpfulinformation.html
Missouri Women’s Council:
http://www.ecodev.state.mo.us/wcouncil/
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business -Development-Centers/sbdcmo.txt

Montana
http://commerce.state.mt.us/
Doing Business in Montana:
http://www.state.mt.us/css/sitemap.asp#business
Business Montana:
http://www.bizmt.com/index.htm
SBDC Map:
http://commerce.state.mt.us/EconDev/SBDC/
Sbdcnet.htm
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business -Development-Centers/sbdcmt.txt

Nebraska
Department of Economic Development:
http://www.neded.org/
Site also has frames and is organized in lists.
Startup Guide:
http://nbdc.unomaha.edu/graphic/publications/
startup_guide/ frame.htm
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business -Development-Centers/sbdcne.txt

Nevada
http://dbi.state.nv.us/
All kinds of links to the information you want on a single page. Includes business license requirements, business start-up information, financing, links to resources.
SBDC:
http://www.nsbdc.org/

New Hampshire
http://www.state.nh.us/business/index.html
Small Business Development Centers:
http://www.nhsbdc.org/
NH Economy:
http://www.nheconomy.com/
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small-Business-development-Centers/sbdcnh.txt

New Jersey
http://www.state.nj.us/commerce/cando.html
NJ FastPath Checklist:
http://www.state.nj.us/njbiz/s_check.shtml
Money:
http://www.state.nj.us/commerce/financialasst.html
Small Business:
http://www.state.nj.us/commerce/smallbiz.html
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcnj.txt

New Mexico
Business Services:
http://www.eportnm.com/
Startup: http://www.edd.state.nm.us/SERVICES/NEWBUSINESS/
STARTUPGUIDE/index.html
Money:
http://www.edd.state.nm.us/SERVICES/FINANCING/assist.htm
SBDC:
http://www.edd.state.nm.us/SERVICES/NEWBUSINESS/sbdc.htm

New York
http://www.state.ny.us/
Small Business:
http://www.nysegov.com/citguide.cfm?superCat=28&cat=
340&content=main
SBDC:
http://www.nyssbdc.org/
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcny.txt
Starting & Growing a Business in New York City: http://home.nyc.gov/portal/index.jsp?pageID=
nyc_business1&catID=815&cc=815&rc=95&ndi=5

North Carolina
http://www.ncgov.com/
Click the "Business" tab.
Small Business and Technology Development Center:
http://www.sbtdc.org/
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcnc.txt

North Dakota:
Department of Economic Development and Finance:
http://www.growingnd.com/
Another site with frames, so you’ll have to do your own digging.
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small- Business -Development-Centers/sbdcnd.txt

Ohio
http://www.state.oh.us/ohio/bizohio.htm
Business and Economic Development:
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/
SBDC:
http://www.ohiosbdc.org/main.shtml
Another site with frames, but contains links to the One Stop Business Permit Center, financing, women and minority programs and much more.
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcoh.txt

Oklahoma
http://www.odoc.state.ok.us/index.html
More frames, includes business incentives and business development, links to financing, programs for women and minorities and much more.
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business -Development-Centers/sbdcok.txt

Oregon
http://www.sos.state.or.us/corporation/bic/bicintro.htm
Business Information Center:
http://www.sos.state.or.us/corporation/corphp.htm
Small Business Ombudsman:
http://www.cbs.state.or.us/sbo/
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small- Business -Development-Centers/sbdcor.txt

Pennsylvania
http://www.inventpa.com/default.asp
Business in PA:
http://www.inventpa.com/default.asp?path=Business
%20in%20PA
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small-
Business- Development-Centers/sbdcpa.txt

Puerto Rico
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small-
Business- Development-Centers/sbdcpr.txt

Rhode Island
http://www.dbr.state.ri.us/
First Stop Business Center:
http://www.corps.state.ri.us/firststop/index.asp
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small-
Business- Development-Centers/sbdcri.txt

South Carolina
http://www.myscgov.com/
http://www.myscgov.com/SCSGPortal/static/business_tem1.html
One Stop Guide:
http://www.myscgov.com/SCSGPortal/static/scbos_00_tem2.html
Department of Commerce:
http://www.callsouthcarolina.com/
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business- Development-Centers/sbdcsc.txt

South Dakota
Department of Commerce:
http://www.sdgreatprofits.com/
Startup Package:
http://www.sdgreatprofits.com/start-up/startup.htm
Money:
http://www.sdgreatprofits.com/finance/finance2.htm
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small-Business-Development-Centers/sbdcsd.txt

Tennessee
http://www.state.tn.us/ecd/busserv.htm
Small Business Guide:
http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/main/business/index.html
Funding:
http://www.state.tn.us/ecd/rg_ch5.htm#sec_intro/
Disadvantaged Programs:
http://www.state.tn.us/ecd/rg_ch7.htm#sec_intro/
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small
-Business- Development-Centers/sbdctn.txt

Texas
Department of Economic Development:
http://www.tded.state.tx.us/
Small Business:
http://www.tded.state.tx.us/SmallBusiness/
Funding database:
http://www.edinfo.state.tx.us/
SBDCs:
http://www.tded.state.tx.us/smallbusiness/sbdc.htm http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/Small
-Business- Development-Centers/sbdctx.txt

Utah
Department of Commerce:
http://www.commerce.state.ut.us/
Working in Utah:
http://www.utah.gov/working/dobusiness.html
Utah Business Development:
http://www.utah.org/busdev/
Business Incentives:
http://www.utah.org/busdev/incentives.html
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small- Business- Development-Centers/sbdcut.txt

Vermont
Guide to Doing Business in Vermont: http://www.thinkvermont.com/sbdc/index.cfm
Startup:
http://www.thinkvermont.com/start/index.cfm
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business- Development-Centers/sbdcvt.txt

Virgin Islands
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business-
Development-Centers/sbdcvi.txt

Virginia
Economic Development Partnership:
http://www.yesvirginia.org/
Small Business Corner:
http://www.yesvirginia.org/smallbuscorner.asp
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business- Development-Centers/sbdcva.txt

Washington
http://www.wa.gov/dol/main.htm
Startup:
http://www.wa.gov/dol/bpd/startbus.htm
Business Resources:
http://access.wa.gov/ (Click "Business" in the menu on the left-hand side of the page. You will discover many (!) links to address your questions or concerns.)
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business- Development-Centers/sbdcwa.txt

West Virginia
Economic Development:
http://www.wvdo.org/
West Virginia SBDC:
http://www.wvsbdc.org/
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business- Development-Centers/sbdcwv.txt
Minority and Women:
http://www.wvsbdc.org/minwomdb/introduction.htm

Wisconsin
Start Up:
http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/COM/
Com-Business.html
Department of Commerce:
http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/
Minority Business Enterprise Program: http://vendornet.state.wi.us/vendornet/vguide/
mbe.asp
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business- Development-Centers/sbdcwi.txt

Wyoming
Business Council:
http://www.state.wy.us/business.html
New WB site: http://www.wyomingbusiness.org/wbc/internal.cfm?
areaID=1&navDetailID=176
SBDC:
http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Local-Information/
Small-Business- Development-Centers/sbdcwy.txt
Wyoming Small Business Development Center Home Page: http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/SBDC/default.htm

A C D F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W

For a simpler version of state resources, click here.
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