The U.S. Small Business Administration assists small businesses to start, grow and prosper by providing counseling and technical assistance, pre-business and business planning workshops, and information on starting and managing a small business. The Small Business Assistance Office assists start-up, operating, and expanding businesses through topical workshops, a business planning assistance program, and issuing licenses and permits. The office oversees a network of regional Small Business Development Centers. The Bureau of Business Licensing provides any certifications required to start or conduct businesses in Minnesota. The Bureau of Small Business provides seminars and consultation on regulations, employer issues, financing, marketing, and business problems.
Services are free of charge.
Loans are available to industrial, commercial, and retail business which may not be able to obtain conventional financing for development, business construction, expansion, purchase of equipment, facilities, machinery, supplies, materials, working capital, or purchase of existing businesses. Working capital is not eligible. For manufacturers to qualify, the number of employees usually ranges up to 500 but may range from 500 up to 1,500, depending on the type of product the applicant manufactures. The Small Business Development Loan Program focuses on manufacturing and industrial businesses located in Minnesota, or those intending to locate in the state. Eligible businesses are generally those with 500 or fewer employees.