There's no annual fee and cash advances carry the same annual percentage rate as purchases, unlike most cards. Nowles says Advanta wants entrepreneurs to use the card's credit line as working capital. The Chamber of Commerce also says it will do custom market research for half the price that private companies charge. Local chambers offer deals as well, she says. By June, the USCC will announce discounts on shipping via Federal Express and insurance from Mass Mutual.
Membership is free.
It's currently offering deals on supplies from Officemax, printing from PaperDirect, car rental from Alamo, and on attorneys' fees from LegalWise. Paul Twyford, a spokesman for One Business Place, says the corporation plans to roll out the concept in 80 more cities in the next two years. The next one, in New York City, is slated for this year. The National Federation of Independent Businesses throws group-purchasing weight behind health care for its members. Fees vary with coverage.