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."

Center for Women and Enterprise
55 Claverick Street Suite 102, Providence RI 02903
Phone: (401) 277-0800
Fax: (401) 277-1122
URL: http://www.cweboston.org/

"The Center for Women & Enterprise gives women the tools to realize their dreams of business ownership. Our offices in Massachusetts and Rhode Island serve the needs of women starting businesses, growing businesses, or learning how to operate their businesses."

Homebased Business Association of Rhode Island
3288 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: (401) 732-1100
Fax: (401) 732-1107
E-mail: info@homebasedbusinessri.com
URL: http://www.homebasedbusinessri.com/window.htm

"The Homebased Business Association of Rhode Island provides educational programs, networking systems, business assistance, and legislative advocacy to individuals who work in or from their homes."

Minority Investment Development Corp./Rhode Island Coalition for Minority Investment
216 Weybosset Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Phone: (401) 351-2999
Fax: (401) 351-0990
E-mail: midc.info@midcri.com
URL: http://www.midcri.com

"The MIDC was created in 1994 to improve the quality of life within our states urban centers by contributing to the growth of Rhode Island based minority owned small businesses located in targeted disadvantaged communities."

Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation
One West Exchange Street, Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 222-2601
Fax: (401) 222-2102
E-mail: info@riedc.com
URL: http://www.riedc.com/riedc/business_services/8/

Rhode Island First Stop Business Information Center
Business Development
100 North Main Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Phone: 401-222-2185 Fax: 401-222-3890
E-mail:firststop@sec.state.ri.us
URL: http://www.sec.state.ri.us/corps/corps/businessinfo/bic.htm

"The Business Fast Start project is a collaboration of Rhode Island state agencies to improve the business registration process. The Master Application is a single point of entry for new business owners to obtain, submit and pay for state license and permit applications."

Rhode Island Microenterprise Association
645 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907
Phone: 401-383-7940
Fax: 401-383-7944
URL: http://www.rimicroenterprise.org

"The Rhode Island Microenterprise Association, in partnership with community-based organizations located throughout the state, provides free microbusiness training and business technical assistance to persons wishing to start their own small business. Our services are accessible by the owners of more than 10,000 microbusinesses and home-based businesses in Rhode Island."

The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center
Robert D. Hamlin, State Director
Bryant University
1150 Douglas Pike,
Smithfield, RI 02917-1284
Phone: (401) 232-6111
Fax: (401) 232-6933
URL: http://www.risbdc.org/

"The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBDC) is administered by Bryant University in a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the RI Economic Development Corporation, and the private sector. The mission of the RISBDC is to assist entrepreneurs to transform their business: to increase their stability, profitability, efficiency, and capacity for present and future growth."