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."

Arizona Small Business Development Network
State Office
2411 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480) 731-8720
Fax: (480) 731-8729
URL: http://www.dist.maricopa.edu/sbdc/

Arizonas Small Business Development Center Network is an innovative partnership between the states ten community college districts and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The network is the largest and most accessible source of assistance to Arizona businesses with fewer than 200 employees. One-on-one confidential counseling is at the heart of SBDC work. Counselors use their real-life business ownership and management experience to give clients advice that is relevant and practical. Programs and seminars often complement the counseling. Training content, while developed within the overall mission of the SBDC, is customized and tailored to meet the diverse needs of business owners in metropolitan and non-urban areas of the state.

• Links to Local Centers
  URL: http://www.dist.maricopa.edu/sbdc/centers.htm

The Arizona Center for Innovation
University of Arizona Science and Technology Park, 9040 South Rita Road, Suite 2250, Tucson, Arizona 85747
Phone: (520) 382-3260
E-mail: info@azinnovation.com
URL: http://www.azinnovation.com/services/index.shtml

The Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI) is a specialized business incubator, designed to meet the needs of developing technology companies. While focusing on, but not limited to, core technologies developed at the University of Arizona, the Center promotes the growth of start-up and emerging companies in Southern Arizona. AzCI's Interventionist Model ensures that companies receive practical, hands-on assistance early in the innovation process - beginning in the research phase and continuing through product development to commercialization. This structured approach helps companies bridge the many gaps between discovery and commercialization, while dramatically increasing the likelihood of success. AzCI focuses on companies involved in Southern Arizona's six technology industry clusters: optics/photonics, biotechnology and life sciences, information technology, aerospace, environmental technologies, and advanced composite materials.

Arizona Department of Commerce
3800 North Central Avenue, Suite 1500, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: (602) 280-1300
URL: http://www.commerce.state.az.us/

"The Arizona Department of Commerce (ADOC) is the state's community and economic development authority. We work with communities, businesses and economic development organizations to build the foundation for a strong economy and superior quality of life through the development of competitive industries and sustainable communities."

• Entrepreneur's Edge - 2004 (PDF file; 69 pages)
  URL: http://www.commerce.state.az.us/doclib/ABC/2004EntrprnrEdgeEng.pdf
• Small Business Services
  URL: http://www.commerce.state.az.us/SmallBus/Default.asp

Arizona Small Business Association
ASBA, 4130 East Van Buren, #150, Phoenix AZ 85008-6996
Phone: (602) 265-4563
Fax (602) 265-3681
URL: http://www.asba.com/

ASBA is a statewide group of small business owners organized together in a not-for-profit Arizona corporation whose Mission is "to provide the best benefits available to our membership, to provide a forum for networking their products and/or services; to increase their knowledge through informative workshops, seminars and classroom training; to actively represent them regarding legislation affecting small businesses at the state and federal levels of government in an effort to support and foster small business development, retention and growth in Arizona."

Business Assistance - City of Phoenix
URL: http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/BUSINESS/busasidx.html

Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.
1112 East Buckeye Road, Phoenix, AZ 85034-4043
Phone: (602) 257-0700
Fax: (602) 256-2740
URL: http://www.cplc.org/

"Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. (CPLC) is a statewide community development corporation (CDC), committed to building stronger, healthier communities as a lead advocate, coalition builder and direct service provider. CPLC promotes positive change and self-sufficiency to enhance the quality of life for the benefit of those we serve."

Gila River Entrepreneurship Program
P.O. Box 97, Sacaton, Arizona 85247
Phone: (520) 562-6120
Fax: (520) 562-6125
E-mail: info@gilariverdevelopment.com
URL: http://www.gilariverdevelopment.com/entrepreneurship.htm

"The Gila River Entrepreneurship Program is designed for Community members who wish to own and operate their own business within and for their own community, or who seek to benefit economically from development on their allotted lands. The Gila River Entrepreneurship Program can assist in transforming the economic landscape of Gila River Indian Community to one of viable businesses own and managed by community members."

Microbusiness Advancement Center of Southern Arizona
PO Box 42108, Tucson, AZ 85733
E-mail: admin@mac-sa.org
URL: http://www.mac-sa.org

"The Microbusiness Advancement Center of Southern Arizona is a non-profit organization that provides training, resources, referrals, support and advocacy to those seeking to create, sustain or grow microbusinesses in Southern Arizona."

Native Americans for Community Action, Inc.
2717 N. Steves Blvd., Suite 11, Flagstaff, AZ 86004-3959
Phone: (928) 526-2968
Fax: (928) 526-0708
URL: http://www.nacainc.org/index.htm

"NACAs WIA program, funded through the Division of Indian and Native American Programs (DINAP), is designed to enrich the lives of Indian and Native Americans by helping them achieve economic self-sufficiency through employment and job training."

Northern Arizona Technology and Business Incubator
1300 S. Milton Rd., Suite 123, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: (928) 213-9234
Fax: (928) 556-0940
E-mail: info@natbi.orgThe
URL: http://www.natbi.org/

Northern Arizona Technology & Business Incubator (NATBI) a non-profit small business assistance program designed to help create new and grow existing businesses in Northern Arizona.

PPEP Microbusiness and Housing Development Corporation, Inc. (PMHDC)
PMHDC MAIN OFFICE
PIMA COUNTY AREA OFFICE
901 E 46 St., Tucson, AZ 85713
Phone: (520) 806-9513
Fax: (520) 806-9515
E-mail: pmendoza@ppep.org
URL: http://www.azsmallbusinessloans.com/

PMHDC believes that local access to affordable credit is a necessary antidote to poverty, economic disenfranchisement, and community economic stagnation and that efforts to overcome chronic poverty depend on both access to credit and resources for capacity-building by individuals and
organizations. PMHDC offers financial services and technical assistance on business management to rural very small home-based business and many small businesses

Self-Employment Loan Fund
1601 North 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006
Phone: (602) 340-8834 or TDD: (800) 367-8939
Fax: (602) 340-8953
URL: http://www.selfloanfund.org/

Self-Employment Loan Fund, Inc (SELF) serves as an intermediary and bridge for those starting or operating a business who are not quite ready for traditional business and lending opportunities. SELF provides a unique three-tiered program that covers areas critical to business success.