Many resources are available to assist you in starting or growing your small business. Here are some agencies that offer various types of services to help you start and grow your small business:
Alt.Consulting (Alt) | 870.535.0011
A nonprofit management consulting firm that provides affordable services to small, minority-owned and rural businesses.
Arkansas Capital Corporation (ACC) | 501.374.9247
Arkansas Capital Corporation offers an alternative source of financing for small businesses located within the State of Arkansas. ACC bridges the gap between the level of funding your business needs and what it is able to obtain through traditional banking sources.
Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) | 1.800.Arkansas
Services include general business information, bonding information, training, MBE certification, and export referral.
Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC) | 501.374.1413
A statewide nonprofit that provides small business training, financial literacy services, a newsletter, and a lenders forum around the state.
Arkansas Minority Business Development Roundtable (AMBDR) | 501.374.2001
Programs include training youth entrepreneurial services, feasibility studies, marketing projects, and limited financial assistance to nonprofit organizations working to enhance opportunities to small and minority businesses.
Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center (APAC) | 501.377.5045
Provides training and technical assistance to businesses interested in obtaining government contracts.
Arkansas Regional Minority Supplier Development (ARMSDC) | 501.374.7026
Promotes contracting opportunities for minority businesses through technical assistance training, certification, and networking. Also certifies Minority Owned Enterprises (MBEs).
Arkansas Small Business Development Center (ASBDC) | 501.324.9043
Serves the small business community from the lead center in Little Rock and six regional offices. Services include consulting, training, and research.
Beacons and Bridges | 870.931.1707
Provides training and technical assistance to aspiring and existing business in Jonesboro and its surrounding counties. Also administers the FirstStep™ FastTrac® Business Training Program.
Central Arkansas Development Council | 501.315.1121
This initiative helps make credit accessible to the low-income through a combination of education, training, mentoring, and resource development.
DHS’ Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education | 501.682.9699
Provides training, technical assistance, and access to financing for aspiring and existing child care businesses.
East Arkansas Enterprise Community | 870.630.2005
Provides training, technical assistance, and access to financing. Also hosts a youth entrepreneurship program.
Economic Research and Development Center | 870.575.8030
Provides training, technical assistance, and workshops. Also hosts the FastTrac® Planning Business Training Program.
Innovate Arkansas | 501.280.3025
Innovate Arkansas works with new, technology- based entrepreneurs to turn inventions and high-tech concepts into viable businesses. The goal: create high-paying Arkansas jobs in the knowledge, technology, and information-based industries. The result: A rise in Arkansas' per capita personal income.
Online Women’s Business Center | 1.800.827.5722
An online resource that provides information on starting and growing your business.
SCORE | 501.324.7379 or 870.535.0110
Volunteers provide free business counseling and mentoring to aspiring and existing small business owners.
Southern Financial Partners (SFP) | 870.816.1111
Provides small business, mortgage, and facilities lending.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Bioventures | 501.686.6696
This center assists facilitates the starting up of technology-based businesses.
U.S Small Business Administration | 501.324.7379
Provides training and consulting through its resource partners such as ASBDC, BDC, and SCORE. Also provides the 8(a) program which helps small and minority business obtain federal and state contracts.
