Business Resource Alliance
Background
Several dozen organizations provide technical support, education and financial assistance to North Carolina's small- to medium-size businesses, but entrepreneurs are often stymied as they try to understand which providers offer the right services for them. As it launched the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship, the Rural Center recognized the need to provide a clearer, more responsive system of business services. For this purpose, in November 2003 it convened the state's first Business Resource Alliance, a collaborative network of business service providers. The alliance now includes more than 50 members. The Rural Center serves as coordinator.
Mission and activities
The alliance has committed itself to developing a comprehensive, integrated network of business services and to identifying and filling unmet needs. Its stated mission includes three elements:
- To enhance and strengthen business development and assistance services and improve access to services across the state.
- To improve the quality and integration of services in underserved areas.
- To serve as the primary advisory and action body for the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship.
In April 2004, the alliance released its first position paper, "Building North Carolina's Economic Future through New Enterprise Creation and Small Business Development". In it, the alliance calls for an increased investment of at least $20 million annually to support North Carolina's entrepreneurial service organizations. The investments support a state economic development policy that better acknowledges the existing and potential contributions of entrepreneurship to the state's overall economy and helps balance the heavy emphasis on out-of-state business recruitment and large companies.
In April 2005, the alliance held a breakfast and exposition at the General Assembly in celebration of Small Business Week. The events, cohosted by Rep. Bill Daughtridge and Sen. Walter Dalton, were designed to inform legislators about the alliance and to encourage them to support entrepreneurship as an economic development investment.
More than 20 alliance members are leading the development of a seamless network of business services that entrepreneurs may access through any cooperating agency. Tagged a "no wrong door" entry system, the approach will change the way these agencies welcome entrepreneurs. Each agency will continue to offer its own services and, if the entrepreneur needs other resources, will be equipped to identify the best agency to help and connect the entrepreneur with that agency. These efforts have been aided by a $2 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. (To read more about this project, click here.)
Members
The following organizations are members of the N.C. Business Resources Alliance. Click on the name to visit the organization's website.
AdvantageWest
The regional economic development partnership serves 23 counties in western North Carolina with marketing and services for new, expanding and relocating businesses. Its Certified Entrepreneurial Communities program offers a five-step process for local leaders to follow in creating a climate and support system for entrepreneurs.
Appalachian Regional Commission
The federal-state agency focuses on supporting economic development and quality of life in the Appalachian Mountains region, including western North Carolina. Its Entrepreneurship Initiative is a multi-year, $31 million effort to provide communities with the tools to assist entrepreneurs in starting and expanding local businesses.
Appalachian Regional Development Institute
This outreach arm of Appalachian State University makes faculty and professional staff available to address economic and business issues in northwestern North Carolina. The institute also convenes the High Country Business Network.
Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council
An initiative of AdvantageWest, the council nurtures western North Carolina's entrepreneurs through education, networking and linkages with business capital programs, including the Blue Ridge Angel Investors Network, and holds an annual conference called Carolina Connect.
Center for Rural Entrepreneurship
The center, an affiliate of the national Rural Policy Research Institute, conducts practice-driven research and evaluation of entrepreneurial development strategies in rural communities nationwide. It also developed the Energizing Entrepreneurship curriculum, which is offered to North Carolina community leaders through the N.C. Rural Center at least annually. The RUPRI center has worked closely with the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship since the study that informed the institute’s launch in 2003.
CFED
This national organization combines community practice, public policy and private markets to expand economic opportunity. It concentrates on communities traditionally excluded from or limited by the mainstream economy. Its annual Assets and Opportunity scorecard rates each state on its support of the pursuit of the American Dream.
Council for Entrepreneurial Development
The private, nonprofit organization uses networking and focused programs to stimulate the creation and growth of high-impact companies in the greater Research Triangle area. With more than 3,500 active members representing more than 1,000 companies, CED is the largest entrepreneurial support organization in the nation.
Dogwood Equity
A private, limited liability company, Dogwood Equity manages the North Carolina Economic Opportunity Fund. It focuses on investment opportunities outside of the state's major urban areas.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
The Office of Planning and Economic Development for the tribe offers business training, a business incubator and a chamber of commerce, and conducts market research about viable business opportunities for Cherokee Indians in western North Carolina. The Sequoyah Fund provides micro-loans ($10,000 and less), small business loans and downtown revitalization loans (up to $150,000).
ECU Regional Development Services
The Regional Development Institute has been providing economic and community development services and conducting applied research in eastern North Carolina since its founding in 1964. Newer business outreach programs of East Carolina University include the Entrepreneurial Initiative and an eastern N.C. investor network.
e-NC Authority
Based in the Rural Center, this authority is helping entrepreneurs in remote rural areas access and use information technology to improve their businesses, in part through Business and Technology Telecenters located in distressed counties.
Entreworks Consulting
The consulting company works with communities, organizations and civic leaders nationwide to design, implement and promote innovative economic development strategies, policies and programs. Entreworks has worked closely with the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship since the study that informed the institute’s launch in 2003.
Golden LEAF Inc.
Golden LEAF (Long-term Economic Advancement Foundation) was created with money from the national tobacco settlement to improve economic and social conditions in economically distressed and tobacco dependent communities in North Carolina.
Good Work Inc.
A nonprofit community development organization, Good Work helps people start and expand small businesses through business training and ongoing assistance, and encourages them to be active in improving their communities.
The IDA & Asset-Building Collaborative of North Carolina
The collaborative conducts technical assistance and training for new and existing Individual Development Account (IDA) programs; fosters partnerships and networks among program partners, state policymakers and funders; and researches asset-building strategies that will build wealth for North Carolina families.
Institute for Emerging Issues
The organizer of the annual Emerging Issue Forum at N.C. State University, the institute focuses debate on critical issues and trends facing North Carolina and recommends policy alternatives.
Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina
Junior Achievement works with business executives to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise and understand business and economics.
Mountain Bizworks
The nonprofit organization provides business training, loans and one-on-one support to Western North Carolinians who want to start, expand or strengthen a small business.
Natural Capital Investment Fund
This new offering in North Carolina from the Conservation Fund provides debt and equity financing to small and emerging natural resource-based businesses, primarily in economically distressed rural communities.
N.C. A&T State University
Faculty in the School of Business and Agribusiness help small-scale businesses — primarily those based on agriculture — to be more competitive. The school's International Trade Center provides assistance entering international markets.
N.C. Bankers Association
With more than 130 member banks, this statewide association provides educational and training programs and publishes the Carolina Banker magazine.
N.C. Biotechnology Center
This nonprofit supports the development and growth of biosciences companies throughout the state. Its Regional Development Grant Program supports life-science economic-development initiatives in communities statewide. The Biotech Center has five regional offices that assist rural businesses in related sectors.
N.C. Business Incubation Association
Local business incubators formed this association to exchange information and promote best practices. NCBIA’s annual conference is held in October. For information, contact: Sam Funchess, Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, director@nussbaumcfe.com.
N.C. Chamber
The statewide chamber of commerce boasts 2,000 members — the largest and most influential business group in North Carolina. It was previously known as N.C. Citizens for Business and Industry.
N.C. Citizens for Business and Industry
The statewide chamber of commerce boasts 2,000 members and is the largest and most influential business group in North Carolina.
N.C. Community Development Initiative
The initiative helps local community development corporations statewide improve their organizational capacity and productivity in the areas of affordable housing and business development. A capital subsidiary provides loans for community economic development agencies.
N.C. Cooperative Extension Service
The modern "ag extension" service, managed by North Carolina State University, provides educational materials and advice to farmers, agribusinesses and citizens through offices in all 100 counties. Many of its agents are now receiving more comprehensive training in business development, including entrepreneurship.
N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
The state's lead agency supporting farms and agribusinesses includes offices for marketing assistance and agritourism development.
N.C. Department of Commerce
The state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development operates the Business ServiCenter, a toll-free call center (1-800-228-8443) that provides information on the legal paperwork, licenses and other matters related to starting a business in the state. The ServiCenter includes Spanish-speaking staff. In addition, a small business ombudsman helps North Carolina businesses resolve issues with state agencies.
N.C. Department of Public Instruction
The state’s K-12 education agency is an active partner in entrepreneurship education and coordinates the Hop on the BUS! Competition for high school students.
N.C. Department of Revenue
The department collects taxes from N.C. citizens and businesses and provides free information about tax questions and requirements through its website, 11 regional offices and various seminars offered at community colleges.
N.C. Department of Secretary of State
The secretary of state's office provides guidance for various forms of incorporation and maintains legal documents filed by more than 400,000 corporations, limited partnerships and limited liability companies.
N.C. Division of Community Assistance
A division of the N.C. Department of Commerce, the agency assists local governments with community development, economic development, smart growth management and downtown revitalization.
N.C. Economic Developers Association
The statewide association supports professional development, networking and advocacy for economic developers and related professionals.
N.C. Electric Membership Corporation
This utility company provides an array of support for businesses seeking to start, expand or relocate to North Carolina. Its statewide association includes all 27 of North Carolina's electric membership cooperatives.
N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities
This nonprofit is the statewide organization of North Carolina's 36 private colleges and universities accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Several of its campuses offer entrepreneurship education and outreach programs.
N.C. Indian Economic Development Initiative
The statewide nonprofit partners with and builds the economic capacity of the 11 tribes and Indian organizations recognized by the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs. It assists American Indian business owners in developing business plans and connecting to opportunities and capital.
N.C. Industrial Extension Service
This manufacturing extension organization operates through 19 offices to help North Carolina's small and medium-size manufacturers apply the latest engineering technologies and management best practices to increase productivity, quality and profits. It also manages the technology incubator on NCSU’s Centennial Campus.
N.C. Institute for Minority Economic Development
The statewide nonprofit represents undeveloped and underutilized sectors of the state's economic base. It operates three Minority Contractor Resource Centers and the Women's Business Center of North Carolina.
N.C. Military Business Center
A collaboration between the business community and the state community college system, the center works to leverage the presence of the military in North Carolina. This includes increasing access to military contracts for North Carolina companies and supporting the development of more defense-related businesses.
N.C. Minority Business Development Center
Part of the federal Minority Business Development Agency, this program fosters the establishment and growth of minority-owned businesses of all sizes through one-on-one technical assistance and referrals.
N.C. Minority Support Center
The center provides technical assistance, training and financial assets for 15 affiliated community development credit unions.
N.C. REAL Enterprises
The nonprofit supports entrepreneurship and small business creation through youth and adult training programs, curricula and camps offered through high schools, post-secondary institutions and community-based organizations.
N.C. Regional Councils
County and municipal governments have formed 18 voluntary councils of governments to provide services — from programs for the aged to land-use planning — on a regional basis. Some councils operate revolving loan funds and other small business programs.
N.C. Rural Economic Development Center
The center seeks to develop, promote and implement sound economic strategies that improve the quality of life in North Carolina's 85 rural counties. Its programs related to business development include the Microenterprise Loan Program, the Rural Venture Fund and the Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship.
N.C. Small Business and Technology Development Center
A service of the University of North Carolina system, the center offers general business and specialty market development services through 17 offices statewide. Its primary focus is improving the competitiveness of existing businesses through management counseling. It also has an online Capital Opportunities report and oversees Inception Micro Angel Funds in several locations.
North Carolina’s Eastern Region
North Carolina 's Eastern Region Development Commission is the lead economic development agency for a 13-county region and supports both newly relocating and existing companies.
Piedmont Triad Entrepreneurial Network
The organization provides a resource network s and connections to capital for entrepreneurs in the Piedmont Triad region.
Piedmont Triad Partnership
This nonprofit markets the 12 counties of the Piedmont Triad region for business expansions and relocations. It also coordinates the federal Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant to assist in transforming its regional economy, in part through entrepreneurship. PTP was a key host for the 2008 N.C. Entrepreneurship Summit in Greensboro.
Research Triangle Regional Partnership
The economic development partnership supports 13 central North Carolina counties through marketing, cluster development and other initiatives.
River City Community Development Corp.
This nonprofit offers housing and business development assistance in the Elizabeth City region. Starting in fall 2008, this organization is the new host for a regional entrepreneurship coordinator serving Camden, Chowan, Gates, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties.
SCORE
Through eight offices in North Carolina, this nationwide nonprofit provides entrepreneurs with free business consultations and workshops run by retired business executives.
Self-Help
The economic development lender serves home-buyers, small businesses and nonprofits, focusing on minorities, women, rural residents and low-wealth families.
SJF Ventures
The venture capital fund specializes in expansion-stage companies in clean technologies, business services and consumer product sectors.
Small Business Center Network
Small Business Centers are housed in each of the state's 58 community colleges and are often the first stop for rural business owners seeking professional assistance. Among the services they offer are education and training programs, business counseling, information and referrals.
Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
The commission funds economic and community development programs and projects that aid tobacco farmers and others dependent on or displaced from tobacco-related employment in North Carolina.
Triangle Solutions Alliance
This alliance’s purpose is economic development through small business, and its participating social entrepreneurs offer tailored education and coaching to help businesses and nonprofit organizations.
University of North Carolina General Administration
The economic development office of the statewide system supports and promotes the entrepreneurship programs of each UNC campus. The UNC Tomorrow initiative is spurring all campuses to step up their involvement in regional economic development and entrepreneurship.
UNC-Chapel Hill Office of Economic and Business Development
The office serves as a primary gateway to resources at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, matching North Carolina's communities and businesses with expertise in such areas as technology commercialization and small business assistance.
UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government
The School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provides education, advice and research support for state and local government leaders. Economic development is an area of special focus in recent years.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
UNC-Pembroke's Regional Center for Economic, Community and Professional Development works on economic development in southeastern North Carolina, including initiatives focusing on American Indians, biotechnology and entrepreneurship. Starting in fall 2008 this center is the new host for a regional entrepreneurship coordinator serving Bladen, Columbus, Hoke, Robeson and Scotland counties.
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
This campus has various entrepreneurship courses and resources, including a concentration within the Cameron School of Business. UNC-W will be leading in the planning and hosting of the 2010 N.C. Entrepreneurship Summit to be held in Wilmington in February 2010.
Upper Coastal Plain Rural Entrepreneurial Network
This five-county network for service providers and entrepreneurs established in 2005 is committed to a “no wrong door” approach to helping small business owners find available resources to grow their ventures in Wilson, Nash, Edgecombe, Halifax and Northampton counties. The council of governments office also manages a new business incubator, the UCP Business Development Center, in Wilson.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Rural Development section of USDA works to promote a dynamic business environment in rural America. It offers grant and loan programs to rural communities and businesses and has service centers throughout North Carolina
U.S. Small Business Administration
The lead federal agency addressing small business needs, SBA offers a variety of finance programs and technical assistance and has regional staff covering all of North Carolina.
Western Carolina University Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The WCU center works for regional economic development by training area business owners and stimulating the commercialization of new ideas. The university also offers the state's only master's degree in entrepreneurship and will soon offer a “2+2” entrepreneurship undergraduate degree in partnership with Haywood Community College.
Contact
Alliance membership is open to other nonprofit and private business resource providers interested in working as a seamless entrepreneurship development system. For more information, contact:
Leslie Scott, Director
Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship
N.C. Rural Economic Development Center
4021 Carya Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610
Telephone: 919-250-4314
Fax: 919-250-4325
Email: lscott@ncruralcenter.org
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