Business Resources
Small Business Resources
Whether you are starting your own business or need help in expanding or strengthening your existing business, the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and other organizations are here to help you with a variety of resources: Marthaʼs Vineyard Chamber of Commerce 24 Beach St., PO Box 1698, Vineyard Haven 02568 508.693.0085/Fax: 508.693.7589 E-mail: info@mvy.com The Chamber supports all Island businesses through innovative programs and services designed to generate business and referrals. Our partners include three local business associations (Tisbury Business Association, Edgartown Board of Trade, Oak Bluffs Association) that work on the town level to foster economic climates that enhance and improve the quality of life in the community while protecting the distinctive character of each town. Island banking institutions are adept at supporting the Island’s small business owners through trainings, programs and services designed to make sure your business has all the financial tools it needs to be successful! | Starting a new business? Checkout the Starting a Business Checklist. Have business questions? Click here to see the 10 questions most commonly asked of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Answer Desk. |
Small Business Administration
10 Causeway St., Room 265, Boston, MA 02222
800.827.5722/www.sba.gov
Massachusetts District Office: 617.565.5590
The U.S. Small Business Administration, established in 1953, provides financial, technical, and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. With a portfolio of business loans, loan guarantees and disaster loans worth more than $45 billion, in addition to a venture capital portfolio of $13 billion, SBA is the nation’s largest single financial backer of small businesses. Last year, the SBA offered management and technical assistance to more than one million small business owners.
The SBA also plays a major role in the government’s disaster relief efforts by making low-interest recovery loans to both homeowners and businesses. According to the SBA, America’s 25 million small businesses employ more than 50 percent of the private work force, generate more than half of the nation’s gross domestic product, and are the principal source of new jobs in the U.S. economy. The SBA and its web site (www.sba.gov) are rich sources of information for any small business.
Cape and Islands SCORE
www.capecod.score.org; 508.687.9074
SCORE is the nation’s largest volunteer business counseling service and is a resource partner with SBA. Locally, it is comprised of 35 business professionals offering free and confidential business consultation. Their goal is to create on-going relationships with small business entrepreneurs, and guide them to make smart business decisions, which lead to profits. SCORE provides assistance with Business Plans, Sales and Marketing Strategies, Financing Options, Management and Administrative Procedures, E-Commerce. Entrepreneurial Mentoring and Advisory Boards help build confidence and assist with decision-making.
80 Dean St, Taunton, MA 02780
508.822.1020 www.seedcorp.com
South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation SEED Corp. is the local link to the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 Program, which provides growing businesses with up to $4 million in long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings. SEED’S work with the SBA and private-sector lenders has made them one of the top SBA 504 lenders in the region. Loan programs start at $1000. They also administer a small business technical assistance program.
U.S. Small Business Administration Answer Desk
200 North College Street, Suite A-2015
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
800.UASK.SBA (800.827.5722)
E-mail: answerdesk@sba.gov
The Answer Desk is the only national toll-free telephone service providing information to the public on small business problems and concerns; moreover, this service provides general information about SBA programs and other programs available to assist the
small business community. Whether you are starting a business or operating an established business, the US Small Business Administration has a variety of programs to assist you. Free one-on-one counseling is also available locally to help entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs in financing, management technology, government procurement, and other business related areas.
Business Information Assistants are available to speak directly with you at the Answer Desk, 800.UASK.SBA (800.827.5722).
If you have questions about SBA programs, or would like information on local resource groups, e-mail your request to answerdesk@sba.gov.
10 Causeway St., Room 265, Boston, MA 02222
800.827.5722/www.sba.gov
Massachusetts District Office: 617.565.5590
The U.S. Small Business Administration, established in 1953, provides financial, technical, and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. With a portfolio of business loans, loan guarantees and disaster loans worth more than $45 billion, in addition to a venture capital portfolio of $13 billion, SBA is the nation’s largest single financial backer of small businesses. Last year, the SBA offered management and technical assistance to more than one million small business owners.
The SBA also plays a major role in the government’s disaster relief efforts by making low-interest recovery loans to both homeowners and businesses. According to the SBA, America’s 25 million small businesses employ more than 50 percent of the private work force, generate more than half of the nation’s gross domestic product, and are the principal source of new jobs in the U.S. economy. The SBA and its web site (www.sba.gov) are rich sources of information for any small business.
Cape and Islands SCORE
www.capecod.score.org; 508.687.9074
SCORE is the nation’s largest volunteer business counseling service and is a resource partner with SBA. Locally, it is comprised of 35 business professionals offering free and confidential business consultation. Their goal is to create on-going relationships with small business entrepreneurs, and guide them to make smart business decisions, which lead to profits. SCORE provides assistance with Business Plans, Sales and Marketing Strategies, Financing Options, Management and Administrative Procedures, E-Commerce. Entrepreneurial Mentoring and Advisory Boards help build confidence and assist with decision-making.
Southeastern Development Corporation
80 Dean St, Taunton, MA 02780
508.822.1020 www.seedcorp.com
South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation SEED Corp. is the local link to the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 Program, which provides growing businesses with up to $4 million in long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings. SEED’S work with the SBA and private-sector lenders has made them one of the top SBA 504 lenders in the region. Loan programs start at $1000. They also administer a small business technical assistance program.
U.S. Small Business Administration Answer Desk
200 North College Street, Suite A-2015
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
800.UASK.SBA (800.827.5722)
E-mail: answerdesk@sba.gov
The Answer Desk is the only national toll-free telephone service providing information to the public on small business problems and concerns; moreover, this service provides general information about SBA programs and other programs available to assist the
small business community. Whether you are starting a business or operating an established business, the US Small Business Administration has a variety of programs to assist you. Free one-on-one counseling is also available locally to help entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs in financing, management technology, government procurement, and other business related areas.
Business Information Assistants are available to speak directly with you at the Answer Desk, 800.UASK.SBA (800.827.5722).
If you have questions about SBA programs, or would like information on local resource groups, e-mail your request to answerdesk@sba.gov.
Other helpful resources include: Starting a Business Checklist and 10 questions most commonly asked of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Answer Desk.