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."

Enterprise Development Center Inc.
240 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Newark, New Jersey 07102
E-mail: stash@njit-edc.org
URL: http://www.njit-edc.org/

"The NJIT Enterprise Development Center accelerates the successful development of entrepreneurial companies through an array of business support resources and services, developed or orchestrated by EDC management, and offered both in the incubator and through its network of contacts. EDC's main goal is to produce successful firms that will leave the program financially viable and freestanding."

Greater Newark Business Development Consortium (GNBDC)
744 Broad Street, 26th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: (973) 242-4128
Fax: (973) 242-0485
URL: http://www.gnbdc.org/

"Located in Newark, NJ, the Greater Newark Business Development Consortium (GNBDC) is a non-profit 501(c) (3) non-bank lending organization whose goals are to assist entrepreneurs, startup and established small successful businesses."

Jersey City Economic Development Corporation
601 Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: (201) 420-7755
Fax: (201) 420-0306
URL: http://www.jcedc.org/

"The Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC), a private not-for-profit corporation was formed in 1980 by the City Council of Jersey City. Our mission statement is to provide leadership that will facilitate business and community development throughout Jersey City. The Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC), a private, non-profit agency was created in 1980 to stimulate industrial and commercial growth in Jersey City."

New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO)
Contact: Deena Charnofsky, Administrative Manager
225 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, NJ 08805-2042
Phone: (732) 560-9607
Fax: (732) 560-9687
E-mail: njawbo@njawbo.org
URL: http://www.njawbo.org/

• Links and Resources
  URL: http://www.njawbo.org/site/c.8nJDKONuFqG/b.1169097/k.8C68/Resource_Links.htm

• The Women's Business Center
  URL: http://www.njawbo.org/html/wbc.html

New Jersey Business Information
URL: http://www.state.nj.us/njbusiness/index.shtml

"A Clearinghouse of links to NJ Business Assistance resources."

New Jersey Community Capital
16-18 West Lafayette Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
Phone: (609) 989-7766
Fax: (609) 939-9401
E-mail: njclf@njclf.com
URL: http://www.newjerseycommunitycapital.org/

"New Jersey Community Capital is the trade name utilized by Community Loan Fund of New Jersey, Inc. and its affiliated entities for its financial and consulting products and services. Founded in 1987, the Community Loan Fund of New Jersey, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation and is certified as a community development financial institution ("CDFI") by the U.S. Department of Treasury's CDFI Fund. It is an effective provider of capital and consulting services because of its involvement in its constituent communities and an understanding of the trends and issues affecting the community development field."

New Jersey Economic Development Authority
P.O. Box 990, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0990
Phone: (609) 292-1800
E-mail: njeda@njeda.com
URL: http://www.njeda.com/

"The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) makes significant contributions in our efforts to make New Jersey Open for Business and ready to compete in the 21st century. There are limits to what government can and should do. But one thing it must do is create a climate that ensures opportunity for business growth and employment. As you explore this site, you'll find information about current EDA programs as well as success stories that illustrate how government can partner with business to create jobs and expand the economy. EDA programs make it easier for businesses to get the capital they need to invest in New Jersey. By helping us remove financing barriers, the EDA is bringing us closer to the New Jersey we are seeking -- one defined by long-term prosperity and job opportunities for all our citizens."

New Jersey Individual Development Account Program
Division of Housing and Community Resources
URL: http://www.state.nj.us/dca/dcr/ida/index.shtml

"Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are matched savings accounts designed to help low-income and low-wealth families accumulate a few thousand dollars for high return investments in education, homeownership and small business ownership. IDA account holders save regularly from earned income, usually over a one to three year period. Their savings are matched by public or private funds."

NEW JERSEY’S SELF-EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (SEA) PROGRAM
URL: http://www.wnjpin.state.nj.us/business/sea.htm

"The SEA program assists qualified unemployed individuals who are seriously interested in setting up a business in New Jersey and becoming self-employed."

New Jersey Small Business Development Center
Rutgers Business School
Graduate Programs- Newark and New Brunswick
49 Bleeker Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Phone: (973) 353-1927
URL: http://www.njsbdc.com/home/

"The NJSBDC network of service providers and partners is in the knowledge business, tapping best practices and business intelligence from the public and private sector to counsel, train and educate established and aspiring small business owners so that they can compete more effectively in the domestic and global economies."

The Regional Business Partnership
The National Neward Building, 744 Broad Street, 26th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102-3802
Phone: (973) 522-0099
Fax: (973) 824-6587
URL: http://www.rbp.org/

"The Regional Business Partnership (RBP) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve our member businesses by improving the Northeastern New Jersey region's economy, business opportunities and quality of life. In an effort to enhance the Northeastern New Jersey's climate for business development, RBP's programs and activities focus on small to mid-sized business concerns, international trade, economic development and the retention, expansion and attraction of businesses to the region."

Trenton Business Assistance Corporation
Division of Economic Development
209 East Front Street, Trenton, NJ 08611
Phone: (609) 396-8271
Fax: (609) 396-0559
URL: http://www.tbacloan.com/

"Funds come directly from a bank and are guaranteed by the SBA. The SBA Microloans are for start-ups, small businesses, or minority and women-owned businesses that need loans of $25,000 or less. Headed by Elizabeth Janota, executive director, the Trenton Business Assistance Corporation (TBAC) is a non-profit that provides financing and technical assistance to businesses that cannot obtain conventional bank financing. Such "microenterprise" development aims to revitalize communities by creating viable businesses and greater self-sufficiency. In addition to doing direct lending for the SBA Microloan program, TBAC package loans for the Women's Prequalification program (SBA 7A loans)."

Trenton Business and Technology Center
36 South Broad St. Trenton, NJ 08608 USA
PHone: (609) 396-8801
Fax: (609) 396-8603
E-mail: info@trentonbusiness.org
URL: http://www.trentonbusiness.org

"The Trenton Business & Technology Center (TBTC) is a business incubator that can increase your chances of success by providing: Flexible space that can expand as your business grows Shared office services to reduce overhead expenses Free management support to help you anticipate and plan for potential business problems Reasonable rental costs."

Tri-County Community Action Agency Inc.
River's Edge Community Campus
110 Cohansey Street, Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302
Phone: (856) 451-6330
Fax: (856) 455-7288
E-mail: tricocaa@cyberenet.net
URL: http://www.tricountycaa.org

"Tri-County Micro Loan Fund provides loans to emerging and established businesses operating in Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties. Loans range from $5,000 to $30,000 for five years. Loans can be used for working capital, inventory, machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, leasehold improvements and real estate. Emerging businesses are required to attend the Entrepreneurial Training Program before applying for a loan."

Union County Economic Development Corporation
Libery Hall Corporate Center
1085 Morris Avenue, Suite 531, Union, NJ 07083
Phone: (908) 527-1166
Fax: (908) 527-1207
URL: http://www.ucedc.com/

"UCEDC, a non-profit economic development corporation, is dedicated to stimulating economic growth and creating an environment for progress. We have been serving the business community for over 25 years, providing an objective and authoritative voice on business and economic development issues."