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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:
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:
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. home |
