General Business Assistance Programs
RI Small Business Development Center (RISBDC)
The RISBDC is administered by Johnson & WalesUniversity in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the RI Economic Development Corporation, and the private sector. The RISBDC is a resource partner of the Every Company Counts initiative.The mission of the RISBDC is to assist entrepreneurs to transform their business: to increase their stability, profitability, efficiency, and capacity for present and future growth. We envision Rhode Island's small business development network providing strong global competitive advantages by 2007 and a national model of inclusion, efficiency and effectiveness by 2009 for the state's small businesses.
We promote entrepreneurship and strengthen small business in Rhode Island by:
- Serving as a focal point for the coordination of federal, state, municipal, academic, banking, and other resources to aid small business and to promote economic development.
- Providing broad-based and high-quality, "No Cost" one-on-one counseling and low-cost group educational services.
The primary recipients of SmallBusinessDevelopmentCenter services are existing businesses. Certain specific services, notably educational programs, are offered to start-up businesses. Services are provided directly by experts and faculty/student teams in a variety of business disciplines at a network of offices throughout Rhode Island.
Contact:
John Cronin, Executive Director
Johnson and Wales University
270 Weybosset Street 4th floor
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 598-2704
Service Corps Of Retired Executives (SCORE)
The SCORE Association (Service Corps of Retired Executives), is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the Small Business Administration (SBA). SCORE Association volunteers serve as “Counselors to America's Small Business.” Working and retired executives and business owners donate their time and expertise as volunteers. SCORE was founded in 1964. Experts in accounting, finance, marketing, engineering and retail provide counseling and mentoring to entrepreneurs. Volunteer members provide individual counseling and business workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.
The SCORE Association provides personalized, confidential one-to-one counseling to help people start and operate a successful small business. Working and retired executives and small business owners offer advice and one-to-one counseling sessions on topics such as: developing a business plan; securing financing; and managing business growth. SCORE counseling can help successful firms in reviewing their distribution channels, evaluating expansion, modifying their product, and other business challenges. SCORE volunteers also coordinate low-cost seminars and workshops to provide entrepreneurs with additional training on specific business topics. One-to-one and team counseling is provided to entrepreneurs at no charge.
Contact:
William MacKinnon , Alt. Regional Director
380 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 528-4571
The Smaller Business Association Of New England, Inc. (SBANE)
Products/Services: Small business advocacy, education seminars and business services.
Contact:
Donald R. Saracen, Director
346 Spinnaker Lane
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: (401) 254-0867
Maureen Mezei