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| Regional and Area Office Alliances > Region IV > Small Business Tool Kit > Chapter 4 |
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| SMALL BUSINESS TOOL KIT |
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CHAPTER 4 STRATEGIC PLANNING AND CONSULTING AGENCIES
A. ALABAMA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM The Alabama Small Business Development Consortium (ASBDC) hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, provides managerial and technical consulting assistance and training at no cost to current and potential small businesspersons statewide. Ten Small Business Development Centers offer this service, the Alabama International Trade Center, and the Alabama Small Business Procurement System. The Small Business Development Centers are a resource where information, counseling and assistance are coordinated and disseminated to those who plan to start a small business or are currently operation a small business. The centers also provide the entrepreneur with education and training opportunities that cover a wide range of business topics. Research, both basic and applied, is also available to give the small businessperson more relevant data from which to draw upon when making decisions. For more Information Contact the SBDC nearest you: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS Mr. C. William Campbell, Jr. ASBDC State Director Alabama Small Business Development Consortium 2800 Milan Court, suite 124 Birmingham, AL 35211-6908 (205) 943-6750 (205) 943-6752 (Fax) Ms. Kristy Doggette, Director University of West Alabama Small Business Development Center Center Station 35 Livingston, AL 35470 (205) 652-3665 (205) 652-3516 (Fax) Mr. Lorenzo Patrick, Director Alabama State University, Small Business Development Center 915 South Jackson Street Montgomery, AL 36195 (334) 229-4138 (334) 269-1102 (Fax) Mr. Ernie Gauld, Director University of Alabama at Birmingham, Small Business Development Center 901 South 15th Street, Room 201 Birmingham, AL 35294-2060 (205) 934-6760 (205) 934-0538 (Fax) Mr. Paavo Hanninen, Director University of Alabama, Small Business Development Center P.O. Box 870397 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0397 (205) 348-7011 (205) 348-9644 (Fax) Pat Shaddix, Director Jacksonville State University, Small Business Development Center 114 Merrill Hall, 700 Pelham Rd. North Jacksonville, AL 36265-9982 (256) 782-5271 (256) 782-5179 (Fax) Dr. Rick Lester, Director University of North Alabama, Small Business Development Center, School of Business Box 5248 Keller Hall Florence, AL 35632-0001 (256) 760-4629 (256) 760-4813 (Fax) Dr. Jackie DiPofi, Director Auburn University, Small Business Development Center Room 108, College of Business Auburn University, AL 36849-5243 (334) 844-4220 (334) 844-4268 (Fax) Mr. Thomas Tucker, Director University of South Alabama Small Business Development Center, Mitchell College of Business, Room 8 Mobile, AL 36688 (251) 460-6004 (251) 460-6246 (Fax) Dr. Bill Killingsworth, Director Northeast Alabama Regional SBDC Alabama A&M University and University of Alabama Huntsville 225 Church Street, N.W. Huntsville Al, 35804-0168 (256) 535-22061 (256) 535-2050 (Fax) Janet Kervin, Center Director Troy State University, Small Business Development Center Bibb Graves, Room 102 Troy, AL 36082-0001 (334) 670-3771 (334) 670-3636 (Fax) Brian Davis, Center Director Alabama International Trade Center, University of Alabama Small Business Development Center Bidgood Hall, Room 201 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0396 (205) 348-7621 (205) 348-6974 (Fax) ALABAMA SMALL BUSINESS PROCUREMENT SYSTEM The Alabama Small Business Procurement System (ASBPS) assists small businesses in Alabama by:
SBDC personnel work with a business to develop precise codes and key words that identify the company's products or services and then enter them into the center's procurement computer. Bid information from the Commerce Business Daily, Alabama military installations, as well as state and local agencies are entered into Birmingham's host computer on a daily basis, and transmitted through the microcomputer network. The SBDC matches a business's specific capabilities with bid opportunities and will fax or mail a notice so that the business can call the appropriate contracting bid agency for a bid package. Through cooperative agreements with the Department of Defense and the state of Alabama, the SBDC assists firms and counsels them on how to do business with the Government. Areas of Counseling include bid package preparation, 8(a) and other minority programs, military packaging, pricing, bonding, and quality assurance. Training seminars, held throughout the state, teach business people about the government market and the bidding process. Larger procurement conferences provide small businesses the opportunity to network with government agencies and prime contractors. For more information about the bid-matching service, training seminars and conferences, or procurement counseling, please contact the Small Business Development Center nearest you. ALABAMA INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER The Alabama International Trade Center (AITC) is dedicated to the development of international trade activity in the state of Alabama. The different services offered through the AITC include foreign market research, implementation recommendations, strategic planning and consulting, training seminars and general information. Foreign Market Research With more and more firms looking into the lucrative foreign market, accurate, up-to-date information is essential. The AITC is constantly engaged in analyzing and assessing foreign market opportunities. With the support of an excellent information base and a staff of market research specialists, AITC continually monitors foreign market data regarding:
The AITC also provides individual consulting, strategic planning and advisory services. Consultants work exclusively with company executives to assess their needs and problems. Recommendations are made and in-depth assistance is given to firms based on the findings of the market research and in light of each company's needs. The AITC can help you:
Not only does the AITC help to inform and make recommendations, it also assists in the implementation of tailored international business plans. Channels of communication are always open and client companies are monitored on an ongoing basis to assure continued success of international activities. Training and Seminars The AITC conducts more than a dozen workshops and seminars every year to train executives who are active or interested in international trade. These seminars utilize the experience of members of the international community and knowledge of experts in various fields to help clients understand everything from the basics of exporting to the specifics of exporting products. Information and Publications AITC serves as a central office for the answering or referral of inquires relating to international business. Sending a letter or placing a phone call to AITC can save you valuable time and effort as the trade center can provide up-to-date information quickly. In addition, AITC publishes a variety of manuals and bulletins designed to educate and aid Alabama firms in international business as well as to inform potential foreign customers about Alabama products. For more information Please contact: Alabama International Trade CenterB. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY The Department of Agriculture and Industry supplies both information and technical support to Alabama's farmers, businesses and consumers. In providing the services, the department acts as a regulatory agency, a service agency and a consumer protection agency. As a regulatory agency, the department is responsible for the monitoring and enforcement of laws and regulations dealing with meats, poultry, nursery plants, produce, over-the-counter drugs, gasoline, motor oils, pesticides, and agricultural products from seeds to fertilizers. As a service agency, it assists farmers and businesses with seed testing, market reporting, farm legislation, animal and crop disease detection, analysis and prevention, pest detection and eradication, foreign and domestic market development, farm law enforcement, research and numerous other activities. For more information, contact: Department of Agriculture and IndustryC. ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS The purpose of the department of Economic and Community Affairs is to provide the governor with a mechanism to encourage comprehensive and coordinated planning and programming of economic and community affairs within Alabama. The department plays a major role as a coordinating agency for economic development activities. ADECA also focuses on utilizing many existing resources that are available as economic development tools. ADECA makes a strong impact on the state through its role of soliciting grants for programs relating to economic development. ADECA offers many services, including planning and economic development for the state and an education and training division to help train residents of Alabama to work in industries that relocate here. For more information, contact: Alabama Department of Economic and Community AffairsD. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) Background EPA is a regulatory agency created to protect and enhance the environment under the laws enacted by Congress. It is the EPA's responsibility to control and abate pollution in the areas of air, water, pesticides, solid waste, and radiation and toxic substances. The EPA is mandated to mount an integrated, coordinated attack on environmental pollution in cooperation with state and local governments. Ariel Ross Building.This service helps small businesses understand and comply with EPA regulations. Also available is the publication Doing Business with the EPA.
E. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA) OSHA offices oversee compliance with federal workplace safety and materials-handling regulations. Assistance provided includes information on maintaining a safe workplace and how to comply with OSHA regulations.
A Safety Alliance has been formed between The Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Development Center at TSU, OSHA- Mobile Office, and the Wiregrass Association of Safety Engineers. The purpose of the Alliance is to foster understanding of OSHA requirements, as well as the fiscal benefits of safe operations. Members of the Alliance can provide training or coordinate with other entities to provide training in safety issues. The University of Alabama "Safe State" program provides training on OSHA rules and regulations. (205) 348-3033, Fax (205) 348-3049. F. ALABAMA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE The Alabama Development Office is an agency of the Governor's office whose primary function is to promote growth through the development of the industrial and technological base in the state of Alabama. The ultimate goal of the ADO is to enhance the economic well being of Alabama's citizens by creating jobs. ADO will assist businesses planning to relocate processing, manufacturing, warehousing or distribution facilities in Alabama. ADO also maintains the latest factual information on many matters that are relevant to doing business in Alabama. The services this office provides include information on industrial sites and buildings, as well as details involving utilities, labor, taxes and tax exemptions and financing. This agency also has information on natural resources, climate, geography, education and the quality of life in Alabama. The staff of ADO includes experts in the areas of economic development, research, tax, industrial recruitment, finance, community data and other areas to help businesses with a smooth, cost-effective location in Alabama. For more information contact: Alabama Development OfficeInformation on specific small and minority business programs may be obtained from: Small Business Office of AdvocacyG. MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY The minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) assists minority business in achieving effective and equitable participation in the American free enterprise system and in overcoming social and economic disadvantages that have limited their participation in the past. MBDA provides national policies and leadership in forming and strengthening a partnership of business, industry, and government with the nation's minority businesses. Management and technical assistance is provided to minority firms on request, primarily through a network of minority business development centers funded by the agency. Specialized business assistance is available to minority firms or potential entrepreneurs. MBDA promotes and coordinates the efforts of other federal agencies in assisting or providing market opportunities for minority business, primarily through its affiliate network of Minority Business Development Centers. The agency coordinates opportunities for minority firms in the private sector through the funding of business and industry trade associations. Through such public and private cooperative activities, MBDA promotes the participation of federal, state, and local governments, and business and industry in directing resources for the development of strong minority businesses. The agency also operates an Information Clearinghouse for catalogs, publications, and other information about the nation's minority businesses. For further information, please contact: Minority Business Development AgencyH. ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE This service is provided through county agents that live in the counties that they serve. These agents attempt to carry out the educational programs of the Extension Service on the local level. The agents are able to provide answers to almost anything to do with home economics, agriculture, 4-H, and growth or community development. Through the actions of these agents, the goal is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the resources of the county and to set reachable goals and workable plans for improvement. The following are the area offices and phone numbers:
I. SERVICE CORPS OF RETIRED EXECUTIVE The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is an organization that provides counseling to business by individuals who have experience in a particular field but are now retired. Counselors who have the experience that most closely parallels your needs will be assigned to your case to help solve the problems you are facing in your business venture. These counselors also have access to other retired executive that they can call on if additional counseling is required. While these services can be quite valuable, they are free and all information that is learned about your business will be kept confidential. For more information contact the SCORE chapter nearest you: National SCORE Office 409 3rd ST. SW Washington, D.C. 20024 1-800-634-0245 Capital City SCORE Chapter C/O Montgomery Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 79 Montgomery, AL 36101 (334) 240-6868 East Alabama SCORE Chapter C/O Opelika Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 2366 Opelika, AL 36803-2366 (334) 745-4861 Southern Alabama SCORE Chapter C/O Mobile Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 2187 Mobile, AL 36601 (334) 431-8614 Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 638 Dothan, AL 36302 (334) 792-5138 J. SOUTHEAST ALABAMA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE The Alabama Chambers of Commerce are made up of members of the business community in cities throughout the state. Each city has its own organization and each individual chamber works to promote business opportunities in its area. The Chambers of Commerce in each city rely on the business people in the community to make the chamber the "community's business spokesman." Some of the services that Chambers of Commerce provides include economic development services, governmental affairs services and community affairs services. These services combined make the business community stronger and more productive. The goal of any Chamber of Commerce is to provide a focal point for able community leadership to effectively encourage and work for economic growth in business industry. The mission will thereby enhance the quality of life, represent the interests and advancement of members and promote responsible principles in the conduct of business and government. The following is a complete listing of the Chambers of Commerce located throughout southeast Alabama.
K. ALABAMA STATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE The Alabama State Employment Service is a good place to begin your efforts to find qualified prospective employees. The basic function of the Alabama State Employment Service and the ultimate objective toward which its many programs are directed is the placement of workers. There is an Employment Office (One-Stop Center) listed for each county in Alabama on the Department of Industrial Relations. This site also presents other employer related assistance that is available. Employers pay for this service through federal unemployment taxes. There is never a fee for employers or applicants. The Employment Service has proven itself for more than fifty years to be an efficient, cost effective system for putting people and jobs together. On any one day, the Employment Service has access to thousands of job seekers locally, statewide, and across the nation. Some of the services are:
Alabama Department of Industrial Relations
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