SBA’s Network

of Partners

• Small Business

Development Centers —

More than 1,100 locations at

colleges and universities nationwide providing management and

technical services including help

with loan applications.

• SCORE — Service Corps of

Retired Executives with more

than 11,000 volunteers in nearly

400 chapters providing free, expert

advice on all aspects of business.

• Women’s Business Centers —

Nationwide locations providing

business training and counseling,

management assistance, mentoring

and access to programs and

services.

SBA’s Online Network

• www.sba.gov — Information,

resources, services and online

training in taxes and accounting,

raising capital, franchising,

marketing, advertising and more.

• SBA’s Small Business Training

Network — a virtual campus with

free training courses, workshops

and resources for entrepreneurs

and students, making SBA’s

business management resources

available anytime and anywhere.

The SBA links entrepreneurs with 

resources, services and support 

specifi cally designed for small business 

needs. With more than 80 regional and 

district offi ces combined with our network 

of partners in cities, towns and rural 

communities across America, the

SBA is Your Small Business Resource.

All of the SBA’s programs and services are provided to

the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

1-800 U ASK SBA www.sba.gov
Every day, the U.S. Small 

Business Administration and its 

nationwide network of partners help 

millions of potential and current small 

business owners start, grow and 

succeed. 

Resources and programs targeted for 

small businesses provide an advantage 

— a leg up — necessary to help small 

businesses effectively compete in the 

marketplace and strengthen the overall 

U.S. economy. 

Have you exp lored 

the Sma l l Bus iness 

Advantage? 

Starting Your Business

Get a head start

with experts who can help you:

 • develop a business plan,

• make contacts,

 • access resources,

 • complete loan applications.

See if you qualify for

special-emphasis programs:

 • women,

• veterans,

 • Native American, and

 • socially and economically

disadvantaged citizens.

Financing Your Business

Learn about

your fi nancing options:

 • Loan guaranties enable fi nancial

institutions to provide loans to small

businesses that would not otherwise

qualify for fi nancing. 

• Major fi xed-asset loans provide for

the purchase of land and buildings.

 • Surety bond guarantees aid small

and minority construction contractors. 

 • Equity investing matches venture

capitalists with small businesses.

 • Export assistance programs allow

small businesses to be part of the

global economy.

Recovering From Disaster

Low-interest loans help businesses and

individuals in declared disaster areas 

recover as quickly as possible. Loans 

are available to:

• restore primary residences,

• repair or replace uninsured

personal property,

• recover from economic injury, and

 • help when an owner or key

employee is part of a national

call-up of the Reserves.

Your Voice

in Government

The SBA’s Office of Advocacy is 

the independent voice for the small 

business community inside the federal 

government, working to ensure rules 

and regulations do not unfairly affect 

small entities.

The office also provides research, 

develops policies and proposes 

legislation to help small businesses 

succeed.

 

If you feel your small business is 

subject to unfair audits, fines or 

regulatory enforcement, the SBA’s 

Office of the National Ombudsman 

may be able to help. The Ombudsman 

also holds hearings around the country 

and reports to Congress on federal 

regulatory fairness.

Growing Your Business

Consult with experts

to identify growth opportunities:

 • funding small business expansion

with loan guaranties,

• improving product diversifi cation,

 • exploring export options,

• improving marketing and sales,

 • making capital investments, and

 • increasing competitiveness.

Contracting Opportunities

Investigate federal contracting

and subcontracting programs: 

• Special services for women,

disadvantaged individuals, servicedisabled veterans and others.

 • Matchmaking to help small businesses

link directly with federal agencies

and private corporations to improve

procurement prospects. 

 • Contracting opportunities for small

businesses in distressed or historically

underutilized business zones called

HUBZones.

www.sba.gov

1-800 U ASK SBA

Your Small Business Resource