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."

Appalachian Center for Economic Networks
94 Columbus Rd., Athens, OH 45701
Phone: (740) 592-3854
Fax: (740) 593-5451
E-mail: info@acenetworks.org
URL: http://www.acenetworks.org

"The Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet) is a community economic development organization located in rural southeastern Ohio. The mission of ACEnet is to build the capacity of local communities to network, innovate, and work together to create a strong, sustainable regional economy that has opportunities for all. ACEnet uses a sectoral strategy, currently focusing on the food and technology sectors of the economy. In each sector, ACEnet staff provides basic service that businesses need to start, expand, and create quality jobs. At the same time, staff encourages entrepreneurs to network with each other, sharing information and generating joint ventures that enable them to enjoy economies of scale typical of much larger businesses."

Assets Toledo
333 14th St. Toledo, OH 43624
Phone: (419) 381-2721
Fax: (419) 534-3717
E-mail: info@assetstoledo.com
URL: http://www.assetstoledo.com/

"A Service for Self Employment Training and Support provides practical, experience-based
training for those starting or expanding a small business. The results are empowerment, economic
independence, the promotion of economic and social justice, the creation of stronger families and
neighborhoods in the city, strengthening of character and values, and creation new jobs."

Columbus Countywide Development Corporation
941 Chatham Lane, Suite 207, Columbus, OH 43221
Phone: (614) 645-6171
Fax: (614) 645-8588
URL: http://www.ccdcorp.org/

"CCDC is a private, not-for-profit corporation which makes loans to small businesses in Central Ohio and throughout the State. Our financing programs are designed to assist healthy, growing small businesses invest in land, building, and equipment. CCDC also provides working capital loans for existing small businesses."

Community Capital Development Corporation
941 Chatham Lane, Suite 300, Columbus, Ohio 43221-2416
Telephone: (614) 645-6171 or Toll Free: (888) 756-CCDC (2232)
Fax: 614/645-8588
URL: http://www.ccdcorp.org/

"CCDC's MicroLoan Program meets the unique financing needs of very small businesses — generally those with fewer than 10 employees. Whether used for working capital, equipment, or inventory, a CCDC MicroLoan can be the stimulus necessary to help a small business succeed."

Doing Business in Ohio
URL: http://www.obg.ohio.gov/

The Entrepreneurs Center
714 Monument Avenue, Dayton, OH 45402
Phone: (937) 281-0098
Fax: (937) 281-0099
E-mail: info@techincubator.org
URL: http://www.techincubator.org/

"The concept to create a facility in Dayton, Ohio dedicated to the care and nurturing of individuals who are willing to take the risk to foster economic development and invest in the region by starting up technology enterprises was fostered in 1996. In 1998 the the Dayton/Miami Valley Entrepreneurs Center, Inc. (D/MVEC) was established as a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation. The first tenants moved in on September 1, 2000 and the center is currently doing business under the name of The Entrepreneurs Center (TEC)."

Enterprise Development Corporation
9030 Hocking Hills Drive, The Plains, Ohio 45780
Phone: (740) 797-9646
URL: http://www.edcseo.org

"Enterprise Development Corporation is a private, not-for-profit organization actively involved in fostering economic development in Appalachian Ohio."

1st Stop Business Connection
Ohio Department of Development
P.O. Box 1001, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1001
Phone: (800) 248-4040 or (614) 466-4232
URL: http://www.odod.state.oh.us/onestop/index.cfm

"The 1st Stop Business Connection, a program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Development's Small Business Development Centers and the U.S. Small Business Administration, provides FREE state-level information needed to get started or continue on your entrepreneurial journey."

Greater Cincinnati Microenterprise Initiative, Inc.
1501 Madison Road, PNC Building, 1st Floor Rear, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206
Phone: (513) 569-4816 x42
Fax: (513) 569-0075
E-mail: atownsen@cincy-caa.org
URL: http://www.gcmi.org

"The Greater Cincinnati Microenterprise Initiative, Inc., is an unprecedented partnership of human service agencies, local banks and businesses working together to provide economic empowerment opportunities to individuals and communities through job creation and self-employment opportunities by stimulating and supporting entrepreneurship. GCMI is a non-profit 501(C) 3 organization located in Cincinnati, Ohio."

Greater Columbus Women's Business Development Center
37 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-3065
Phone: (614) 225-6910
Fax: (614) 469-8250
URL: http://www.columbus-chamber.org/wnet.html

"The Women's Business Initiative offers training for start-ups and existing women business owners. They specialize in procurement and international trade issues. They also offer the Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training (WNET) mentoring program."

Hamilton County Development Company, Inc.
1776 Mentor Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45212
Phone: (513) 632-8292
Fax: (513) 631-4887
URL: http://www.hcdc.com/

"To meet the needs of microenterprises, HCDC also offers microloans up to $20,000 for start-ups and up to $35,000 for existing businesses. This program helps such entrepreneurs meet short-term working capital needs and can provide equipment financing. Since 1983, more than $1.5 million in microloan assistance has been made available to over 75 businesses in southwest Ohio. In addition, HCDC hosts a Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which provides entrepreneurs with business management and technical assistance."

Northwest Ohio Women's Entrepreneurial Network
PO Box 514, Maumee, OH 43537
Phone: (419) 536-6732
Fax: (419) 534-3007
URL: http://www.wentoledo.org/

"The Mission of the Women's Entrepreneurial Network (WEN) is to encourage and support businesswomen and women friendly businesses with successful entrepreneurial development. We were founded in 1993 with a small grant from the U. S. Small Business Administration. In 1997 we became an independent organization."

Office of Small Business / Women's Business Resources
Phone: (800) 848-1300
URL: http://www.odod.state.oh.us/edd/osb/sbdc/women.htm

• Includes a Women's Business Kit
• Includes loan information for financing your business
  

Ohio CDC Association
Department 22, P.O. Box 182039, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2039
Phone: (614) 461-6392
E-mail: celkins@ohiocdc.org
URL: http://www.ohiocdc.org/

"As a statewide membership organization of community development corporations (CDCs), the Ohio CDC Association (OCDCA) provides training and technical assistance to build the capacity of CDCs; engages in policy and resource development that fosters healthy communities; and sponsors special projects, demonstrations and research that strengthen the field of community-based development. OCDCA promotes, supports and advocates for CDCs which are dedicated to the comprehensive revitalization of low- and moderate - income communities in urban and rural Ohio. We value community solutions to challenges facing disadvantaged communities and emphasize affordable housing, business and economic development, community organizing and self-sufficiency strategies."

Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet
Small Business Financing Programs in Ohio
Community Development, 700 Ackerman Road, Suite 235, Columbus, OH 43202-1578
URL: http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~ohioline/cd-fact/1226.html

Ohio Women's Business Resource Network (OWBRN)
77 South High Street, 28th Floor, P. O. Box 1001, Columbus, OH 43215-1001
Phone: (614) 466-2682 or (614) 592-4625 or (800) 848-1300, Extension 62682
Fax: (614) 466-0829 or (614) 594-4706

"The Ohio Women's Business Resource Network (OWBRN) is a state-wide effort to assist women business owners. Their mission is to promote successful women's entrepreneurship. This umbrella network promotes information sharing, technical assistance and education among participating member organizations. OWBRN seeks to provide consistent baseline services to women across the state."

Ohio State University Extension Service
216 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1044
Phone: (614) 292-2011
Fax: (614) 292-2270
E-mail: whiting@agvax2.ag.ohio-state.edu
URL: http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/

The Ohio State University, Rural Finance Program
2120 Fyffe Road, Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: (614) 292-8019
Fax: (614) 292-7362
E-mail: Rurfin@postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu
URL: http://www-agecon.ag.ohio-state.edu/programs/RuralFinance/

Ohio University Innovation Center
20 East Circle Drive, Suite 190, Athens, Ohio 45701-3751
Phone: (740) 593-1818
Fax: (740) 593-0186
E-mail:clark@ohiou.edu
URL: http://www.ictto.ohiou.edu/

"The Ohio Univeristy's Innovation Center Program is a business incubator. Established in 1983, it is one of the oldest university-based incubators in the United States."

Pyramid Training Services
6363 Promway Avenue NW, N. Canton, OH 44720
Phone: (330) 305-9696
Fax: (330) 305-9292
E-mail: dbuttermore@nci2000.net
URL: http://www.pyramid-stark.org/

"The Micro Business Assistance Center is not a financial institution. Our goal is to assist individuals who have insufficient access to support (financial and technical). Our goal is to assist micro businesses and see them succeed. Loans are reviewed on a business plan that reflects a feasible idea and ability to bring in adequate financial support for the business once business is established."

ShoreBank Cleveland
540 East 105th Street, Cleveland, OH 44108
Phone: (216) 681-8898
Fax: (216) 268-6107
E-mail: gwen_gregory@sbk.comShorebank
URL: http://www.shorebankcleveland.com/sm_bus_finan/

"Shorebank encourages financial investment in our neighborhoods by offering traditional and nontraditional small business financing options, including ShoreBridge Capital and the ShoreGrowth Fund."

WECO Fund, Inc.
2700 East 79th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44104-3104
Phone: (216) 881-9650
Fax: (216) 881-9704
E-mail: laurie@wecofund.com
URL: http://www.wecofund.com/

"WECO Fund, Inc. provider financial services and programs to low and moderate-income individuals and families; and the companies, organizations, institutions in which they are involved. Our work supports the ambitions of people who want to save money, reduce debt and build wealth. It also supports the ambitions of companies and organizations that want their employees, members, constituents, customers, clients or congregants to be financially stable."

The William T. and Rita Fitzgerald Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies
College of Business Administration
259 South Broadway, Akron, OH 44325-4805
Fax: (330) 972-6588
URL: http://www3.uakron.edu/cba/fitzgerald/index.htm

"Entrepreneurship involves either the creation of a new business or the creation of new businesses within existing organizations (i.e., intrapreneurship). Entrepreneurship and the creation of new businesses has been well documented as a major engine of new growth; accounting for a significant number of new jobs and innovations in our economy. The Fitzgerald Institute encompasses many activities to assure that students and the public become fully aware of the fundamental and critically important concepts of the free enterprise system and the role of entrepreneurs."

Women's Business Resource Program of Southeastern Ohio
20 East Circle Drive, Suite 155, Technology and Enterprise Building, Athens, OH 45701
Phone: (614) 593-1797
Fax: (614) 593-1795
E-mail: aa428@seorf.ohiou.edu

"The Women's Business Resource Program of Southeastern Ohio supports women-owned businesses through a variety of services that focus on expanding networking opportunities, including support groups, monthly networking luncheons, business classes and an annual Women in Business Trade Fair. WBRP serves a seven-county area of southeast Ohio."

Youngstown Business Incubator
241 Federal Plaza West, Youngstown, OH 44503
Phone: (330) 746-5003
Fax: (330) 746-6863
E-mail: jcossler@ybi.org
URL: http://www.ybi.org/

"The Youngstown Business Incubator is a 501 (c) (3) charitable nonprofit corporation supported, in part, by the Ohio Department of Development."