STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

The Abilities Fund
National Office
410 N 18th St
Centerville, IA 52544-1823
Telephone: 641-856-2173
Toll Free: 888-222-8943
Fax: 641-856-3101
http://www.abilitiesfund.org

"The Abilities Fund and Accion USA, a leading national microfinance lender specializing in loans to small businesses, have joined hands to ensure that individuals with disabilities have added benefits when applying for a loan from Accion USA. Qualified applicants will enjoy a lower interest rate along with technical assistance regarding the loan application. For more information, please visit the Abilities Fund Web site.

In support of new microlending services, The Abilities Fund is expanding its online presence to include training and technical assistance. This summer, people with disabilities nationwide will have 24-hour access to online tools such as Feasibility First ©, business plan development, and financial planning for business startup -- all of which are resources designed to prepare entrepreneurs with disabilities for self-employment.

Crawford County Development Corporation
18 South Main Street, Denison, Iowa 51442
Phone:( 712) 263-5621 or 263-6622
Fax: 712-263-4789
URL: http://www.ccdcia.com/

"The purpose of the Crawford County Development Corporation (CCDC) is effective coordination of all economic development efforts within the county. CCDC is committed to serving all citizens of the county, interfacing with various groups, businesses, and governmental agencies to maintain and expand our economic base. Actual activity is wide ranging, but always striving to create the widest possible scope of economic opportunities for new businesses, for existing business and industry and for new prospects seeking to expand into our county."

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
Bureau of Business Finance
200 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 242-4819
Fax: (515) 242-4749
E-mail: SmartState@ided.state.ia.us
URL: http://www.iowalifechanging.com/business/ewd.html

"The purpose of the program is to provide technical and financial assistance to qualified individuals with disabilities who are seeking self-sufficiency by establishing or expanding a small business."

Institute for Social and Economic Development
910 23rd Avenue, Coralville, IA 52241
Phone: (319) 338-2331
URL: http://www.ised.org/Index.asp

"ISED's Economic Development Division helps people use their talents and skills to start small businesses, obtain quality jobs and build financial assets. Nationally and locally recognized for its work in alleviating poverty, ISED received the 1998 Presidential Award for Excellence in Microenterprise Development Since 1988, nearly 7,000 people have chosen ISED to help them gain the skills and confidence to achieve economic self-sufficiency and build a solid future for themselves and their families."

Iowa Able Foundation
c/o State Public Policy Group
200 10th Street, Fifth Floor
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: (515) 243-2000
TTY: (641) 856-3350
E-mail: info@iowable.org
URL: http://www.iowaable.org

"Since its inception in 1998, the Iowa Able Foundation has been offering loans to Iowans who need to purchase assistive technology such as specialized computers or software, wheelchairs, communication devices, home modifications, vehicle modifications and other devices."

Iowa Business Assistance Programs
Department of Economic Development
Phone: (800) 245-IOWA
E-mail: SmartState@ided.state.ia.us
URL: http://www.iowalifechanging.com/business/

The State of Iowa offers a wide array of business financial assistance programs. These programs are designed to foster the growth and profitability of businesses expanding in the state of Iowa and to create quality job opportunities for Iowans.

Iowa Business Network
URL: http://www.iabusnet.org/

Iowa Business Resource Portal
URL: http://www.iowalifechanging.com/business/startup.html

Iowa State University Extension Service
218 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2020
Phone: (515) 294-6192
Fax: (515) 294-4715
E-mail: webmaster@exnet.iastate.edu
URL: http://www.exnet.iastate.edu/

• Link to Area Offices
  URL: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Counties/state.html

Siouxland Economic Development Corporation
428 Insurance Centre, PO Box 447, Sioux City, IA 51102
Phone: (712) 279-6286
Fax: (712) 279-6920
URL: http://www.siouxlandedc.com/

Service Area: Cherokee, Ida, Monoma, Plymouth, Sioux, and Woodbury counties.
In participating in credit assistance programs, SEDC coordinates with, and complements, local lending institutions by making additional capital sources available to them and by providing increased security for the lender through federal guaranty. In all cases, the corporation is subordinate to the lending institutions.