STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

The Abilities Fund
Centerville Office
410 N 18th St
Centerville, IA 52544-1823
Telephone: 641-856-2173
Toll Free: 888-222-8943
Fax: 641-856-3101

Iowa City Office
332 South Linn Street, Suite #17
Iowa City, IA 52240
Telephone: 319-338-2521
Toll Free: 866-720-3863
Fax: 319-338-2528
URL: http://www.abilitiesfund.org/

"This summer The Abilities Fund, together with a national lending partner, will launch a nationwide direct loan program for entrepreneurs with disabilities. In 45 states, loan guarantees will also be available to as a means to secure loans for entrepreneurs. Flexible terms and competitive interest rates for microloans ranging from $500 - $25,000 will be offered.

In support of new microlending services, The Abilities Fund will be expanding its online presence to include training and technical assistance. Soon, people with disabilities nationwide will have 24-hour access to features 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."

Alabama A&M University Community Development Corporation
4701 Meridian Street, Suite E, Huntsville, Alabama 35811
Phone: (256) 852-7228
Fax: (256) 852-4015
URL: http://www.aamucdc.org/

"The Alabama A&M University Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a developmental entity that improves housing and economic conditions in North Huntsville and Madison County. They also have a business and entrepreneur center."

Alabama Cooperative Extension System
109-D Duncan Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849
Phone: (334) 844-4444
E-mail: sjones@acesag.auburn.edu
URL: http://www.acesag.auburn.edu/

County Extension programs have been part of the Land Grant university system since 1914 when the Smith-Lever Act was passed. The mission of the county programs are simply to take research-based knowledge and education from the land-grant universities to people in counties throughout Alabama who need it. More simply stated, the aim is to improve the quality of life for all Alabamians in areas of agriculture and natural resources, 4-H Youth, Youth-at-Risk, Community Resource Development, Family and Consumer Sciences.

Alabama Development Office
401 Adams Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (800) 248-0033 or (334) 242-0400
Fax: (334) 242-2414
E-mail: idinfo@www.ado.state.al.us
URL: http://www.ado.state.al.us

The primary mission of the Alabama Development Office (ADO) is to enhance the economic well-being of Alabama's citizens by creating jobs.

Alabama's Answers "Doing Business in Alabama: A Handbook
(This can be downloaded from their Web site.)
URL: http://www.asbdc.org/books.htm

"It addresses the fundamental issues of starting and operating any small business and also issues specific to doing business in Alabama. We suggest you either print a copy or bookmark it in your browser to use as a reference guide. You can also call the ASBDC at 205-943-6750 for further information or to have a copy mailed to you."

Alabama Small Business Development Consortium
Office of the State Director
2800 Milan Court, Suite 124, Birmingham, AL 35211
Phone: (205) 943-6750
URL: http://www.asbdc.org/

"A Small Business Development Center (SBDC) conducts research, counsels, and trains business people in a wide variety of business topics and provides comprehensive information services and access to experts in many fields. Counseling is provided free of charge to all small business owners. Each SBDC encourages unique local efforts, region to region, state to state, and community to community, to meet small business needs in its area. SBDCs develop and maintain partnerships among community organizations and local, state and federal agencies, providing a focal point for a broad network of public and private resources at the community level. SBDC partnership programs and activities serving small businesses have contributed significantly to economic growth in Alabama and across the nation."

• Link to Area Offices
  URL: http://www.asbdc.org/mp2contacts.html

Bessemer Business Center
1020 Ninth Avenue North, Bessemer, Alabama 35022
Phone: (205) 481-2000
Fax: (205) 481-2100
URL: http://www.bessemeral.org/BBIS.html

"The Bessemer Business Incubation System (BBIS) is a full service business development organization providing space and services to those businesses participating in the service, light industrial/manufacturing and information technology industries. Bessemer, Alabama consistently strives to diversify its economic base by promoting the development of small to medium sized businesses in a number of different industries. The rationale is that an economy has a much better chance of thriving during good economic times and surviving during bad economic times if there are a number of different resources providing support to the economic base".

Business Technology Development Center
102A Wynn Drive, Huntsville, AL 35802
Phone: (256) 704-6000
Fax: (256) 704-6002
E-mail:biztech@biztech.org
URL: http://www.biztech.org

A non-profit organization that offers mentoring, legal services, networking, help with Access to Loan Funds, International Trade, federal procurement, marketing, and R&D Commercialization.

Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence
1301 Azalea Rd., Mobile, AL 36693
Phone: (251) 660-7002
Fax: (251) 660-7004
URL: http://www.ceebic.org/

"The Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence is dedicated to the promotion of entrepreneurship and self-determination in Entrepreneurial Economic Development through the exploration and implementation of innovative concepts of enterprise stimulation, start-up and growth. Established in 1993, The Center is a major expansion of the Business Innovation Center, Mobile, Alabama's Business Incubator, and the entrepreneurial training and assistance programs which have been housed at the BIC since its' inception in 1986. The BIC is under the joint sponsorship of the City of Mobile, the County of Mobile and the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

Central Alabama Women's Business Center
A Project of the Schlarb Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs
2 North Twentieth St. Suite 830, Birmingham AL 35203
Phone: (205) 453-0249
Fax: (205) 453-0253
E-mail: info@cawbc.org
URL: http://www.cawbc.org

"The Central Alabama Women's Business Center is dedicated to helping women start and grow their business. We serve a seven county area including: Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, Walker, Talladega and Tuscaloosa Counties."

Community Services Programs of West Alabama, Inc.
601 17th Street, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401
Phone:(205) 752-6371

URL: http://www.cspwal.com/

"Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc. (CSP), is a private, nonprofit organization created by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The agency is funded through the following sources: Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Alabama Department of Transportation Section 18 Rural Transportation, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Block Grant, the Weatherization Block Grant, Rural Development, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Alabama State Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and contributions from local city and county governments, churches, and private citizens."

Decatur Business Incubator
1629 4th Avenue, SE, Decatur, AL 35601
Phone: (256) 351-7563
Fax: (256) 351-7984
E-mail:dbi@ci.decatur.al.us
URL: http://www.digitaldecatur.com/agencies/incubator.html

The Decatur Business Incubator is a non-profit organization. The Decatur Business Incubator is a flexible concept encouraging the development of new businesses and assisting local economic development. The Incubator is a facility where a number of growing businesses operate under one roof with reduced rents, shared services and equipment, and equal access to a wide range of professional, technical and financial services. Primary objectives of the Incubator are to assist start up businesses, help new businesses grow and create new jobs in the low to moderate income areas.

Entrepreneurial Center
110 12th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 250-8000
Fax: (205) 250-8013
E-mail: ecinfo@entrepreneurialctr.com
URL: http://www.entrepreneurialctr.com/

"Entrepreneurial Center staff and support groups provide the following services:

• Business plan guidance
• Seminars
• Networking opportunities
• Small Business Week Open House
• Mentoring from Entrepreneurial Center staff and Board of Directors"
  

Federation of Southern Cooperatives
P.O. Box 95, Epes, AL 35460
Phone: (205) 652-9676
Fax: (205) 652-9678
E-mail: fscepes@mindspring.com
URL: http://www.federationsoutherncoop.com

The focus of the credit union department is to provide technical assistance and training to individuals from low-income rural communities who have determined a need for low cost, community controlled consumer credit. Technical assistance is offered in the following areas:

• Chartering
• Computerizing
• Non-member deposits
• Business plans

  Link to Area Offices

Montgomery Area Center for Economic Development - Small Business Incubator
600 South Court Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 832-4790
Fax: (334) 240-6869
E-mail: info@montgomeryincubator.org
URL: http://www.montgomeryincubator.org

The Montgomery Area Center for Entrepreneurial Development (MACED) is a non-profit Small Business Incubator program for new service and light manufacturing businesses in the Montgomery area. MACED provides an environment in which these businesses can develop, grow and succeed.

Office for the Advancement of Developing Industries
2800 Milan Court, Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35211
Phone: (205) 943-6560
Fax: (205) 943-6583
E-mail: wharrison@oadi.uab.edu
URL: http://www.uab.edu/oadi

The mission of OADI is to provide Birmingham-based, technology-oriented entrepreneurs with a unique environment, which will enhance their start-up company's chances for success. By providing low-cost office and lab space, professional, and support services, and access to the university's resources, OADI fosters entrepreneurial ideas from the early stage of company development until the graduation stage of growth.

Ozark Technology Center
3269 Highway 231 S., Ozark, AL 36360
Phone: (334) 774-4952
Fax: (334) 774-4539
E-mail: info@bizincubator.org
URL: http://www.ozarkalabama.org/index.cfm?section=4&subsection=57&page=0

OTC is a multi-use small business incubator serving the seven counties of Southeast Alabama.
Our Mission is to provide an environment that is conducive to the success and growth of new and expanding businesses, create regional job opportunities and expand the regional economy.

Shoals Entrepreneurial Center
3115 Northington Court, Florence, AL 35631
Phone: (256) 760-9014
Fax: (256) 740-5530
E-mail: info@shoalsec.com
URL: http://www.shoalsec.com/

"The Shoals Entrepreneurial Center (SEC) is a private, non-profit corporation whose purpose is to assist new or fledgling businesses to grow in a sheltered environment until they are ready to be self-sustaining within the business community."

Small Business Guide To Doing Business In Alabama (PDF File; 55 Pages)
URL: http://www.asbdc.org/alanswr.pdf

Tuskegee/Macon County Community Development Corporation
PO Box 831134, Tuskegee, Alabama 36083
Phone: (334) 724-9662
E-mail: lynn1tuskmac@cs.com