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."

alt.Consulting
PO Box 40210 , Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: (901) 312-9797
Fax: (901) 312-9798
E-mail: econjustice@altconsulting.org
URL: http://www.altconsulting.org

alt.Consulting is a non-profit, economic development organization that operates like a management consulting firm but is driven by a passion for economic justice. Our on-site business assistance allows us to build strong relationships with the clients we serve, helps us act as a "catalyst for change," and truly enables sustainable organizational growth. By fostering profitable and increasing sales, we spawn job and asset creation in the disadvantaged communities in which we live and work.

Arkansas Small Business Development Center
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2801 S. University / Little Rock, Arkansas 72204
Phone: (501) 324-9043
Fax: (501) 324-9049
URL: http://asbdc.ualr.edu/

"The ASBDC is a public service unit of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's College of Business, in partnership with other Arkansas higher education institutions. ASBDC staff are employees of their respective educational organizations. The ASBDC is not an agency of the federal or state government. The ASBDC serves the small business community from the lead office located in Little Rock and six regional offices strategically located throughout the state."

• Links to Local Centers
  URL: http://asbdc.ualr.edu/locations/
  

Arkansas Department of Economic Development
One State Capitol Mall, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: (800) ARKANSAS or (501) 682-1121
Fax: (501) 682-7394
E-mail: INFO@1800ARKANSAS.com
URL: http://www.1-800-ARKANSAS.com

"Whether you are expanding your existing business or starting a new one, trying to find training for your existing workforce, or possibly looking to enhance your community's economic development initiatives, ADED is ready to help you."

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
410 S. Cross, PO Box 3645, Little Rock, AR 72203-3645
Phone: (501) 374-9225
Fax: (501) 372-2722
URL: http://www.statechamber-aia.dina.org/

The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas are private, non-profit corporations which are totally funded by the dues from its members. Each organization has its own officers and its own directors. Both organizations share headquarters and professional staff in Little Rock. We are one of the most successful business advocacy organizations in the country. The State Chamber which formed in 1928 joined with Associated Industries of Arkansas to work together for a common purpose which is clearly articulated in our mission statement "To continually enhance the economic climate in Arkansas..."

Central Arkansas Development Council
722 Gaunt Street, P.O. Box 580, Benton, Arkansas 72018
Phone: (501) 315-1121
Fax: (501) 778-1920
E-mail: ccunningham@cadc.cc
URL: http://www.cadconline.net

Individual Development Account Program
IDA's are matched savings accounts that encourage low-income working people to save money and acquire assests. Through IDA's, individuals can purchase their first home, attend college or job training, or start or expand a small business. Most applicants will be enrolled in the program for six months to two years. Participants commit to saving at least $10 a month. When they reach their saving goal, CADC will match the savings 3:1 to purchase the asset. Yes! For every dollar saved, CADC will match it with $3.00--up to $2,000 per individual, or $4,000 per household. Participants will have a Family Development Specialist to work with them throughout their training process to help keep them on track and guide them through difficult times. The Family Development Specialist will assist them with their goal setting and savings. For more information on the IDA program call the local office.

MicroEnterprise Development
This initiative helps make credit accessible to the low-income through a combination of education, training, mentoring and resource development. Economic Literacy classes gives persons in all areas the tools needed to get out of debt and to build sound financial futures. Pre-Business Classes helps individuals develop plans to become entrepreneurs in their communities.

Financing Ozarks Rural Growth & Economy (FORGE)
P.O. Box 1138, Huntsville, Arkansas 72740
Phone: (479) 738-1585
URL: http://www.forgeonline.com/

Genesis Technology Incubator
1 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701-1201
Physical Address: 700 Research Center Boulevard, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: (479) 575-7227
Fax: (479) 575-7446
E-mail: genesis@cavern.uark.edu
URL: http://www.uark.edu/depts/genesis/index.html

GENESIS, located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, was established in 1986 by the University of Arkansas with seed funding provided by the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority (ASTA). GENESIS was founded to diversify Arkansas' technology and economic base and to help create employment opportunities for Arkansans skilled in the science and engineering professions. In addition to the initial seed funding provided by ASTA, GENESIS has also received funding for facility expansion and improvements from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Economic Development of Arkansas Fund Commission.

The Good Faith Fund - Peer Lending Program (affiliate of AEG)
2304 W 29th Avenue, Pine Bluff, AR 71603
Phone: (870) 535-6233
Fax: (870) 535-0741
E-mail: bforbus@ehbt.com
URL: http://www.goodfaithfund.org/index.html

Area served: Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Jefferson and Lincoln counties
Peer lending program operates much like a community based credit union. Members join peer-lending groups which consider and approve small business loans for their fellow member entrepreneurs. Good Faith Fund's mission is to increase the incomes and assets of low- and moderate-income residents of the Delta through the development of entrepreneurial skills, the provision of credit, training for self-employment and employment, supportive services and public policy development. GFF is also committed to the specific goal of widening the profile of successful entrepreneurs and the fully employed to include low-income women and minorities.

Jacksonville Business Incubator Program
200 Dupree Drive, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076
Phone: (501) 982-1511
URL: http://www.jacksonville-arkansas.com/business/jbip.html

The Jacksonville Business Incubator Program (JBIP) has been operational since January of 1999. It is administered through the City of Jacksonville and the Office of Community Development. During that brief time, the quality of the program has been recognized by the winning of local and regional awards for "Best Practices" as determined by HUD program criteria.

Region 6 Rehabilitation Continuing Education Center (RCEC)
P.O. Box 1358, Bldg. #35 Hot Springs, Arkansas 71902
Phone: (voice) (501) 623-7700
Fax: (624) 6250
TDD: 624-0079
URL: http://www.rcep6.org/resource_center/Employment/business_resources.htm

"These business development and self employment resources offer business assistance, information and possible sources for funding."

Small Business Advancement National Center
University of Central Arkansas, College of Business Administration, UCA
Box 5018, 201 Donaghey Avenue, Conway, AR 72035-0001
Phone: (501) 450-5300
Fax: (501) 450-5360
URL: http://www.sbaer.uca.edu

Located on the scenic University of Central Arkansas campus in Conway, Arkansas, the Small Business Advancement National Center (SBANC) is an organization that was founded in 1990. SBANC was conceived from a concept developed by Dr. Don B. Bradley III, Executive Director of the Center and Professor of Marketing at UCA. Since its inception as the Small Business Institute Directors' Association National Center, it has evolved into a multi-faceted small business counseling and electronic resource information center. Now a leading-edge facility, SBANC offers small businesses some of the newest, freshest information on advances in today's small business technology.

SOUTHERN FINANCIAL PARTNERS
605 Main Street, Suite 203, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923
E-mail:info@southernfinancialpartners.org
URL: http://www.southernfinancialpartners.org/

Southern Financial Partners Staff
URL: http://www.southernfinancialpartners.org/contact/index.html
Link to Area Offices
URL: http://www.southernfinancialpartners.org/about/offices.html

At Southern Financial Partners our mission is to assist small businesses by providing access to capital, loans and technical assistance to improve rural economies in Arkansas and Mississippi.

Arkansas - Starting a New Business: An Educational Brochure for Arkansas Taxpayers (PDF file; 14 pages)
URL: http://www.arkansas.gov/dfa/income_tax/documents/starting_a-new_business.pdf