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CDC is a private, non-profit, economic development organization that provides a wide variety of services for the business community. These services include: business investment and finance, employment and job training, business development and incubation, marketing, international trade development, and state tax incentives information and servicing. Contact: (318) 632-2022, www.cdconline.org

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Business Incubators provide start-up and existing small businesses with business advice and support services; inexpensive space also available for lease. Contact: Metro/Regional Business Incubator, (318) 671-1050, www.cdconline.org/businessincubator.htm

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The SBDC program, sponsored in part by the Small Business Administration, helps to identify the specialized management and technical needs of the small business community. SBDC provides counseling, serves as an informational resource center, and coordinates and conducts continuing education programs. Contact: Southern Arkansas University SBDC, (870) 235-5033, www.saumag.edu/sbdc 

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Score is an SBA-sponsored program that offers advice, counseling, and management training for owners and would-be owners of small businesses. Contact: South Central SCORE, (870) 863-6113, www.score.org

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This agency provides a comprehensive source of business, management, and technical assistance to area manufacturers. It is an affiliate of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which provides federal funding for the program. Contact: (501) 683- 4400, www.mfgsolutions.org

The mission of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development is to develop and diversify the state's economy to enhance the quality of life for current and future Arkansans. It offers a variety of financing, tax incentives, international development, and workforce development programs to assist Arkansas businesses. Contact: 1-800 Arkansas or (501) 682-1121, www.1800arkansas.com

Small Business Administration – www.sba.gov

In addition to the SBA’s Internet Procurement Opportunities programs, (see Government Procurement Opportunities Section of this Resource Guide), SBA also offers other programs beneficial to small businesses, including:

Online Entrepreneurial Training – The Small Business Training Network is a virtual campus housing free training courses, workshops and knowledge resources designed to assist entrepreneurs and other students of enterprise. The Training Network makes SBA's business management resources available anytime and anywhere. It is a dynamic learning center designed to help small businesses compete in a constantly changing, global environment. www.sba.gov/training

Government Contracting/Business Development – The Office of Government Contracting (GC) works to create an environment for maximum participation by small, disadvantaged, and woman-owned businesses in federal government contract awards and large prime subcontract awards. GC advocates on behalf of small business in the federal procurement  world. The Office of Business Development is designed to help minority and small disadvantaged businesses participate more fully and successfully in the mainstream National economy. www.sba.gov/gcbd

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SBA Office of Advocacy – This office’s mission is to encourage policies that support the development and growth of American small businesses. Advocacy represents the nation's small businesses within the federal government; conducts policy studies; and compiles statistics on small business characteristics and contributions. www.sba.gov/advo

Office of Women’s Business Ownership – OWBO promotes the growth of women-owned businesses through programs that address business training and technical assistance, and provide access to credit and capital, federal contracts, and international trade opportunities. www.onlinewbc.gov/about.html

Veteran’s Business Development – Designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training,  counseling and mentoring, and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business. The SBA has three organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC). www.sba.gov/vets/

U.S. Department of Commerce – www.commerce.gov

While the SBA is the primary federal agency that advises and assists small businesses, the U.S. Department of Commerce has a number of programs that provide information and/or services to U.S. businesses, including:

Bureau of Economic Analysis – BEA is the Nation's accountant, interpreting data to draw a complete picture of the U.S. economy. BEA's economic accounts provide information on economic growth, regional development, and the Nation's position in the world economy. www.bea.gov/

Bureau of the Census – The Constitution commands that a census be taken every 10 years. The purpose is the apportionment of seats in Congress, but the information collected provides the cornerstone of knowledge about the people of our nation. www.census.gov/

Minority Business Development Agency – This agency was created specifically to encourage the growth of minority-owned  businesses in the United States. It coordinates federal government plans, programs and operations that affect minority business enterprises. It promotes and coordinates the activities of government and private organizations that help minority businesses grow. It collects and distributes information to help those interested in starting or expanding a minority-owned firm, and it provides financial assistance to organizations to provide management and technical assistance to minority entrepreneurs. www.mbda.gov/

Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) – The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is an advocacy and advisory office responsible for promoting the use of small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), women-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and HUBZone small businesses within the U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) acquisition process. www.osec.doc.gov/osdbu/

Patent and Trademark Office – For over 200 years, the basic role of PTO has been to promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for authors and inventors the exclusive right to their writings and discoveries for a limited time. www.uspto.gov

Copyright 2006, The Coordinating and Development Corporation. Redistribution to all others interested in economic development is strongly encouraged. Please cite The Coordinating and Development Corporation whenever portions are reproduced or redirected.