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Local Business Resources
Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
211 Commerce Street, Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37201
615-743-3114
www.nashvillechamber.com/business/small_biz
The Chamber of Commerce supports the growth and expansion of small and entrepreneurial businesses through education and training, business-to-business networking, advocacy, and visibility for your firm.
Small business programs include:
- AM Business Connection
Offers "speed networking," the ability to reach many people in a short amount of time. The program is an opportunity for business owners to polish their marketing and presentation skills while expanding their contacts.
- Roundtables
Advisory boards of top decision-makers (CEOs, CFOs and marketing managers) from non-competing businesses meet as peers to share common concerns. Open only to Chamber members.
- Music City Future 50
An annual recognition program of the 50 fastest-growing, privately held companies in Middle Tennessee.
- Small Business Council
The Nashville Chamber's Small Business Council champions the growth and development of small business by providing education resources; advocating for small business in the region; and fostering business development through relationships and networking.
Areawide Development Corporation
216 Corporate Place
Alcoa, TN 37701-0249
(856) 273-6008
Areawide Development Corporation is a non-profit corporation partnering with the USBA and private sector lenders to provide growing businesses with long- term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings.
Better Business Bureau (Middle Tennessee headquarters)
P. O. Box 198436
Nashville, TN 37219-8436
615-242-4222
615-250-4245
www.middletennessee.bbb.org
The Better Business Bureau is an independent, non-profit organization working to combat consumer fraud and maintain ethical practices in the advertising and selling of products and services. BBB issues reports to consumers requesting information on a particular firm; handles consumer complaints; offers binding arbitration as a means of dispute resolution; provides information on charitable solicitations; and helps consumers become better informed. Small business owners may contact the BBB for basic guidelines on ethical advertising or request an advertising review prior to publication to help ensure truth and accuracy.
Belmont University
Women's Programs of the Center for Entrepreneurship
1900 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37212-3757
615-460-6601
www.belmont.edu/wp
Central Contractor's Registry (CCR)
Online Registration Portal
(888) 227-2423
www.ccr.gov
CCR is a federal government vendor database. Every company that wants to do business with the federal government or its prime contractors must register in the CCR. It is free to register, and your registration must be kept active.
Commerce Capital L.P.
5115 Maryland Way, Suite 304
Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone: (615) 244-1432
Fax: (615) 242-1407
www.commercecap.com
Commerce Capital L.P. is a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) dedicated to meeting the financial needs of small businesses and industries by financing small, qualified growth companies.
Conexion Americas
800 Eighth Avenue South, Suite A
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: 615-320-5152
Fax: 615-320-9845
Offers classes, technical assistance and peer networking for micro-entrepreneurs and is staffed with bilingual, bicultural professionals. A variety of social and economic integration resources also are offered for Hispanic families and individuals.
Donelson/Hermitage Chamber of Commerce
5653 Frist Boulevard, Suite 740
Hermitage, TN 37076
Phone: (615) 883-7896
Fax: (615) 391-4880
www.d-hchamber.com
Entrepreneur Guidance and Training Inc.
78 Lafayette St., Suite 8
Nashville, TN 37210
Phone: (615) 726-0180
Fax: (615) 726-0183
www.volunteermatch.org/orgs/org12798.html
Entrepreneur Guidance and Training Inc. assists low-to-moderate income persons in becoming self-sufficient through entrepreneurship and provides training programs that encourage personal and economic growth.
Export-Import Bank of the United States
1880 South Dairy Ashford II, Suite 405
Houston, TX 77077
Phone: (281) 721-0465
Fax: (281) 679-0516
www.exim.gov
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank's mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets. Ex-Im Bank enables U.S. companies -- large and small -- to turn export opportunities into real sales that help to maintain and create U.S. jobs and contribute to a stronger national economy. Ex-Im Bank provides working capital guarantees (pre-export financing); export credit insurance; and loan guarantees and direct loans (buyer financing). With more than 70 years of experience, Ex-Im Bank has supported more than $400 billion of U.S. exports, primarily to developing markets worldwide.
Goodlettsville Area Chamber of Commerce
117 North Main St.
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
Phone: (615) 859-7979
Fax: (615) 859-1480
www.goodlettsvillechamber.com
Greater Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce
1501 Jefferson St.
Nashville, TN 37208
615-321-5053
www.nashvilleblackchamber.org
The Greater Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce acts as an advocate for emerging and established businesses to create new market opportunities, provide access to capital and revitalize the community.
Internal Revenue Service
(Federal ID Number & Tax Requirements)
Volunteer and Education Programs
801 Broadway, MDP 46
Nashville, TN 37203
615-250-5656 or 800-829-1040
Free tax assistance: 800-829-1040
Free federal tax forms or publications: 800-829-3676
Problem resolution office: 800-829-1040
www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
The Internal Revenue Service sponsors workshops to educate people involved in small businesses about their rights and responsibilities as business taxpayers. Some workshops are co-sponsored by other federal agencies and involve state and local taxing bodies. These workshops are held monthly, and are generally free.
International Franchise Association
(Publishers of Franchise Opportunities Guide)
1501 K St. N.W., Suite 350
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: 202-628-8000
Fax: 202-628-0812
www.franchise.org
The International Franchise Association provides information about the global franchise community through its educational programs, annual convention, legal symposium, and regional and local meetings.
International Trade Administration (TSA) - U.S. Department of Commerce
Nashville U.S. Export Assistance Center/Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
312 8th Ave. North, 10th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: 615-736-2223
Fax: 615-736-2226
www.buyusa.gov/tennessee
Metro Public Libraries
Main Branch
615 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37219
615-862-5800
www.library.nashville.org
The Metro Public Libraries contain a wealth of valuable business resource materials, including area demographic and marketing studies. The Main Library contains a Business Resource Center with research staff on hand to assist businesspeople seeking information. The library also offers access to a comprehensive array of business reference databases onsite or online to anyone with a Metro library card.
Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority-Nashville International Airport Business Diversity Development
1 Terminal Dr., Suite 501
Nashville, TN 37214
615-275-1620
www.nashintl.com/minority
Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority-Nashville International Airport Business Diversity Development promotes, encourages, and stimulates participation of local small, minority and women business enterprises within the organization and the economic community, to provide maximum opportunities to participate in contracts, programs and all related business activities of the Airport Authority, and to implement goals, policies, and operational procedures to ensure the objectives of this program.
Morgan Keegan Mezzanine Fund LP
Morgan Keegan Corporate Headquarters
50 North Front St., Morgan Keegan Tower
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-579-4539
Fax: 901-579-4355
www.morgankeegan.com
Morgan Keegan Mezzanine Fund LP provides mezzanine financing to small and mid-sized companies. Targeted investments are used to finance buyouts, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, and later stage growth.
Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
615-216-5737
www.nashvillehispanicchamber.com
The Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber is a business and professional organization serving to establish leadership and create and enhance the business environment in which Hispanics can establish and operate a business.
Nashville Business Incubation Center
315 Tenth Avenue North, Suite A
Nashville, TN 37203-3401
615-963-7204
The Center is a cooperative effort among the Tennessee Valley Authority, Tennessee State University, and Growth Enterprises Nashville, Inc. It provides low-cost operating space for existing and start-up businesses for up to five years. The Center has 1,000-, 1,800-, and 2,000-square-foot facilities available and can accommodate up to 10 businesses. Businesses must apply for tenancy. The Center also conducts management support seminars and workshops.
Nashville Minority Business Center
223 Eighth Avenue North, Suite 205
Nashville, TN 37203-3513
615-255-0432
www.minoritybusinesscenter.com
nmbdc@bellsouth.net
For a nominal fee, the Nashville Minority Business Center offers a variety of management services for existing minority businesses, including marketing and the development of business plans. The Center also helps minority businesses identify business opportunities such as government contracts, acquisitions, exports, joint ventures, etc. Fees are based on the business' ability to pay. The Center also is an alternative source of loan funds for small and disadvantaged businesses.
National Federation of Independent Businesses
53 Century Blvd., Suite 300
Nashville, TN 37214
615-872-5800
Small Business Help Line: 900-820-NFIB
www.nfib.com
Renasant Bank
1820 West End Ave.
Nashville, TN 37202
Phone: (615) 327-9000
Fax: (615) 321-2126
www.renasantbank.com/Business/BusinessMain.asp
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
50 Vantage Way, Suite 201
Nashville, TN 37228-1500
615-736-7621 (morning business hours)
www.scorenashville.org
Sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, SCORE offers management counseling for small business. The wide range of expertise of SCORE members, all retired executives and business owners, allow for matching SCORE members with client needs. SCORE works confidentially with existing businesses to analyze problems and help find solutions. SCORE also conducts seminars and workshops with special emphasis on small business start-up and business plans. (A small fee is charged.) Call the office during morning business hours for appointments.
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Business Enterprise Resource Office – Diversity & Small Business
312 Eighth Avenue North
William Snodgrass Tower, 11th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0405
615-741-2626 or 800-872-7201 (in state)
www.state.tn.us/ecd/bizserv_assistance.htm
The Business Enterprise Resource Office provides the help communities and employers need to attract, maintain, and increase jobs in Tennessee. They work with a network of organizations all over the state to help ensure the success of existing businesses and to encourage their expansion. Resources include business regulations, manufacturing support, women-owned business services, training, financing/venture capital, and Tennessee corporate business forms and fee schedules. An online "Guide to Doing Business in Tennessee" is also available.
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation - Division of Underground Storage Tanks
401 Church St., Fourth Floor
L&C Building
Nashville, TN 37243-1541
(615) 532-0945
http://tennessee.gov/environment/ust
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation - Division of Underground Storage Tanks protects human health and environment by preventing future petroleum underground storage tank releases and remediation of existing petroleum underground storage tank contamination. The department also regulates the installation and maintenance of underground tanks, as well as certification for petroleum sellers and deliverers.
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)
Civil Rights Division/Small Business Development Office
505 Deaderick St., Suite 1800
Nashville, TN 37243-0349
(615) 741-3681
www.tdot.state.tn.us/civil-rights/smallbusiness
Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
4059 Nolensville Road
Nashville, TN 37211
615-884-9114
www.tnhispanic.com
The chamber works to bring the issues and concerns of area Hispanic-owned businesses to the forefront of the state's economic agenda.
Tennessee Small Business Development Centers
These Centers provide free in-depth business counseling to small business owners to expand and strengthen the small business community and area economy. Counseling offered to start-ups and existing businesses includes accounting, business planning, marketing, distribution, etc. Centers also offer educational seminars on various business topics. For more information, visit www.tsbdc.org.
Middle Tennessee Small Business Development Centers include:
- Tennessee State University
College of Business
330 Tenth Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203
615-963-7179
A Small Business Resource Library is located in the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at TSU. The library provides an extensive collection of business resources, including books, periodicals, videos and online resources. Resources are available at no charge. The library is open during regular business hours.
- Austin Peay State University
420 B Madison Street, Suite 2
Clarksville, TN 37044
931-647-2331, ext. 261
- Middle Tennessee State University
Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Building
501 Memorial Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
615-898-2745
- Maury County Chamber of Commerce
106 West Sixth Street
Columbia, TN 38402
931-388-5674
U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development
Farm Service Agency - Farm Loan Programs
801 Broadway, Suite 675
Nashville, TN 37203
615-452-3838
www.fsa.usda.gov/tn
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Arlington, VA 22202
703-308-4357
www.uspto.gov
U.S. Small Business Administration
50 Vantage Way, Suite 201
Nashville, TN 37228-1500
615-736-5881
Answer Desk: 800-827-5722
900-463-4636 (full SBA online service)
Technical Support: 202-205-6400
www.sbaonline.sba.gov/tn/
SBA provides prospective, new and established businesses financial assistance, management counseling and training. SBA helps obtain and direct government procurement contracts for small firms. The agency does not make loans directly, but offers financial assistance through its loan programs in which private lenders participate. A new Low Documentation application has greatly simplified the process for loan requests of $100,000 or less. Counseling is provided through SCORE and Small Business Development Centers. Surety Bond assistance is offered to contractors. The SBA also has numerous business publications and videos on financial management, planning, personnel, management and marketing.
University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (CIS)
193 Polk Ave., Suite C
Nashville, TN 37210
Phone: (615) 532-8657
Fax: (615) 532-4937
www.cis.utk.edu
The University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services helps Tennessee's manufacturers become more productive, more profitable, and more competitive with new production techniques or business practices, expanding markets, complying with regulations, or a host of other issues. The CIS Procurement Technical Assistance Center provides assistance in doing business with the federal government. CIS maintains a SBIR/STTR Assistance Program and a Manufacturing Extension Program to help provide quality, affordable consulting to Tennessee manufacturers.
Vanderbilt University
The Owen Entrepreneurship Center
The Owen Graduate School of Management
401 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37206
615-322-2059
www2.owen.vanderbilt.edu/oec
The Center's mission is to create wealth with three main objectives: bring entrepreneurship to students; stimulate start-up ventures; and build an entrepreneur network. Services and activities include conferences, discussion groups, speakers and networking programs.
Women's Resource Center
P.O. Box 292283
Nashville, TN 37229-2283
615-664-6884
www.nashvillenawbo.com
The Women’s Resource Center provides business education, counseling, training and technical assistance to women owners of start-up and existing businesses. Fees are set on a sliding scale for some services.
Woodbine Community Organization
Small Business Program
222 Oriel Avenue
Nashville, TN 37210
615-833-9580
This program provides a one-stop shop for technical and funding assistance to small businesses. and offers moderate loans, marketing, management, accounting and research consulting to start-ups and existing businesses, along with technical assistance for business feasibility plans.
World Relief Economic Advancement Program (WREAP)
442 Metroplex Drive
Building D, Suite 100
Nashville, TN 37211
615-833-7735
www.wr.org
WREAP is a program of World Relief Nashville. World Relief's goal is to provide the necessary tools and services for refugee entrepreneurs to start or expand their own businesses. Business training courses are offered once a week for six weeks throughout the year. These courses cover basic accounting, marketing, financial planning, American business culture and cash flow. Students will be expected to write a business plan for their business with the provided instruction.
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