Category Archives: business assistance

Smart Start Small Business Guide

The Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO) with the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development has a new publication to help small business, Smart Start Small Business Guide. It includes a lot of great information that can help you start … Continue reading

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We Adore the SBA 504

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has instituted a new policy that allows the SBA 504 loan program to be used to improve the cash flow of a small business by restructuring its existing debt – provide the company is expanding … Continue reading

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SBA has new loan programs to help business in recovery

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has always been a great asset for financing small business. SBA has responded to the economic times with some new programs made available by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA or ‘the stimulus package’). … Continue reading

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Work Opportunity Tax Credit

I was reminded today of the Work Opportunity Credit, a federal tax credit that provides a reward for employers that hire employees from targeted groups. Members of targeted groups include Hurricane Katrina employee, Long-term family assistance recipient hired after December … Continue reading

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I’m from "dot" GOV and I’m here to help you…

I was revisiting business assistance websites for entrepreneurs, business start-ups and business managers this morning and I just wanted to highlight www.business.gov . It is especially helpful with information on how business interfaces with government. Not only does it include … Continue reading

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Biz Blogs for Beginning Business

If you are starting a business or have just started one, there is a steep learning curve that you probably don’t have a lot of money to hire consultants to help gain traction. Economic development organizations (like HCECDA) can help, … Continue reading

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Small Business Tax Assistance

A few weeks after April 15th…. why not forget about taxes for a while? Not a good idea, especially for business. For current advice on federal taxes, check out the IRS website for business related tax information that includes text, … Continue reading

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Cold Calling… no, please don’t hang up!

Most of us in business have to do make cold calls sometime – like it or not. Whether a small business owner developing a customer base, an economic developer calling prospects, or an economic development consultant trying to connect with … Continue reading

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Tweet, wiki, blog post, connection, podcast, friend: time for new words in a marketing plan

Marketing can be maddening. The traditional media still works, but as social media becomes more main stream and fewer people are non-adopters, business must integrate social media in their marketing plan. Another thing is if one is smart about it, … Continue reading

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Find a Tasty "Tweet" for Your Small Business

To be honest, I haven’t drunk the Kool-aid on the Twitter craze…. I just take a sip occasionally. However, Twitter can be another tool in your business-related social media toolbox. The following blog post contains some great information on Twittering … Continue reading

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Business Beware!!

Those who are interested in starting a business or need help in their existing business should use caution in these times. If a company contacts you and claims they can help get you a grant for a fee, this is … Continue reading

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Entrepreneurship post

Is now a good time to start a business or implement innovatation in your existing business? Could very well be….. check out this post from the Kauffman Foundation blog, “In Good Times and Bad, Innovation Can’t Wait“.

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"…an idea whose time has come."

The Economist magazine has a section of stories on entrepreneurship in its March 14 – 20th issue. Though the magazine leans toward the wonkier side of economic development, The Ecomomist articles have information that would appeal to the business owner. … Continue reading

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Small Business Assistance

President Obama announced today plans to help loosen credit for small business. (“Obama Acts to Aid Small Business“, New York Times.)

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Business advice… and a TV show review

I was flipping through the channels this morning and ran across a “reality” business makeover show on A&E called “We Mean Business“. Don’t expect a lot of sound, in-depth small business advice, but it did have a certain entertainment value … Continue reading

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Second Regional Tourism Workshop to Focus on Generational Marketing

The second of three regional tourism business workshops will be held on March 12, at the Perry County Community Development Center. Over seventy people attended the first workshop and comments by those participating were overwhelmingly positive. These workshops are part … Continue reading

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Business Workshops Continue

Business Workshop Series in Centerville, Tennessee.The basic core of economic development is, of course, the entrepreneur who starts a business and invests in the community. Information to develop those bold business owners is a part of our and our partners … Continue reading

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Starting a Business in 2009

I was reading the recent issue of Entrepreneur magazine this morning and noted an article, “Laid off in 2008? Start a Business in 2009“, that reminded me how adversity can often be turned into opportunity. It offers advice relevant to … Continue reading

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Craft Businesses Defy Current Trends

In the New York Times business section yesterday, I read an article, “For Craft Sales, the Recession Is a Help“, about how craft related businesses were performing above average during the current recession. Craft supply, finished craft, and handmade product … Continue reading

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Increasing Sales & Profits as a Destination Business

Today, approximately 80 people from the Hickman, Lewis, Perry, and Wayne County area attended a workshop, Increasing Sales & Profits as a Destination Business, facilitated by nationally-known business consultant Jon Schallert of the The Schallert Group, Inc. headquartered in Longmont, … Continue reading

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Online Small Business Assistance

Starting a new business or looking to grow your existing small business? The U.S. Small Business Administration has free, online business training. The courses are taken at your speed, but usually take an average of 30 minutes. Topics include “Starting … Continue reading

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Resources for Community & Economic Development

Okay, everyone except the most wonkiest economic development professionals can select another site. However, Tennessee Dept. of Economic & Community Development has a detailed, fact-filled, no nonsense spreadsheet that lists and details Resources for Community & Economic Development. Not only … Continue reading

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