Below are just some of the federal, state and local organizations that contribute to the economic success of the region. Select a web address or logo to visit an organization’s web site and learn more about the many resources available to small businesses in Massachusetts & Rhode Island!
U.S. Small Business Administration
U.S. SBA provides a wide variety of services to people looking to start-up or expand their own businesses. In addition to financing–provided through banks and certified development corporations (CDCs) like SEED Corp. The SBA is a great resource for information about business plans, counseling, entrepreneurial workshops, and obtaining patents and trademarks.
SBA Online Womens Business Center
SBA Online Women’s Business Center (OWBC) promotes the growth of women-owned businesses through programs that address business training and technical assistance, and provide access to credit and capital, federal contracts, and international trade opportunities.
Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD)
The mission of MOBD is to assist in the creation and preservation of jobs in Massachusetts. Visit the MOBD Web site for information about the state’s business climate, workforce and technical resources, tax incentives and obtaining permits.
Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC)
MSBDC’s Network provides free, confidential, one-to-one management and technical assistance counseling and low-cost educational training programs to prospective and existing small businesses throughout the Commonwealth. There is an MSBDC counseling or satellite office within 30 minutes of any potential client in the state. The MSBDC also provides specialized services in the areas of capital formation, minority business assistance, international trade and procurement technical assistance.
The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBDC)
The RISBDC provides entrepreneurs with the best fit resources to create, transform and grow their businesses. They provide broad-based and high-quality, no-cost one-to-one counseling and low-cost group educational services. They connect university, government, banking, private sector and other community-based resources to support small businesses and to promote economic development.
Brockton 21st Century Corporation
Brockton 21st Century Corporation is a private, non-profit economic development agency that has formed a unique partnership with the City of Brockton, acting as the City’s economic development agency – retaining, attracting, and growing business and making Brockton a better place to live, work, and invest.
Cape Cod Technology Council, Inc.
Cape Cod Technology Council is an organization of Cape Cod-based technology companies and groups who promote their own development. The council works to keep technology companies on Cape Cod and encourages new companies to establish their year round businesses in the area. Cape Cod Technology Council’s Web site contains an extensive member directory of local technology companies.
Center for Marketing Research (CMR)
The mission of the Center for Marketing Research is to facilitate the economic development of the region by providing an affordable, high-quality economic alternative to meeting business needs for research, training, and consulting in any and all aspects of Marketing.
Center for Women and Enterprise
The Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE) provides education, training, technical assistance and access to capital to ensure that all women, regardless of their economic status, will have the opportunity to start and run their own businesses.
Community Development Partnership
Community Development Partnership supports the development of Lower Cape Cod businesses through their Business Builders Program by providing micro loans, business training and technical assistance to small businesses. The organization also provides assistance to those in the fishing and aquaculture industries on Cape Cod.
Downtown New Bedford, Inc.
DNB is committed to enhancing the economic health of downtown New Bedford and is dedicated to promoting a favorable environment for all residents, and for the attraction and growth of small business.
Counselors to America’s Small Business
This non-profit organization provides counseling for small business entrepreneurs both in person and on line. Their Web site isfrequently updated with informative articles covering a wide scope of issues important to small business owners.
Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD)
SRPEDD is the regional planning agency for 26 communities in Southeastern Massachusetts. The organization provides invaluable data and support services to southeastern Massachusetts in the areas of comprehensive planning, transportation, economic development, environmental planning, demographics and Geographic Information Services (GIS).
The Neighborhood Corporation
The Neighborhood Corporation’s mission is to improve the economic well-being of the City of Taunton and to promote community involvement by addressing the many economic and community development needs and problems, especially those of low-income families and individuals.
Rhode Island Commerce Corporation
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is an economic development agency dedicated to improving the economic health and prosperity of Rhode Island by serving the state’s business owners. The organization offers business assistance, access to financing, and red tape reduction as businesses navigate expanding and relocating in Rhode Island.
If you would like to become a SEED partner and place a link to your organization’s Web site on this page, please contact Jessica Mello.
For more information, please contact SEED Corp.
SEED is an equal opportunity lender and business assistance provider.
Chambers of Commerce
Your local chapter of the Chamber of Commerce can be a great resource:
Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce
70 Main Street
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Cranberry Country Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 409
40 N. Main Street
Middleboro, MA 02346
Bristol County Chamber of Commerce
200 Pocasset Street
Fall River, MA 02721
Falmouth Chamber of Commerce
20 Academy Lane
Falmouth, MA 02540
Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
265 Franklin St #1200
Boston, MA 02110
Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
30 Exchange Terrace
Providence, RI 02903
Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 100
397 Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 1698
24 Beach Street
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
Metro South Chamber of Commerce
60 School Street
Brockton, MA 02301
Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce
520 Providence Highway
Norwood, MA 02062
New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce
794 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Newport County Chamber of Commerce
35 Valley Road
Middletown, RI 02842
Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce
134 Court Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
South Shore Chamber of Commerce
1050 Hingham Street (Route 228)
Rockland, MA 02370
Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce
6 Pleasant Street
Taunton, MA 02780
Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce
280 School Street, Suite L100
Mansfield, MA 02048
United Regional Chamber of Commerce
42 Union Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
SEED Corporation, 80 Dean Street, Taunton, MA 02780