Awards Business Operation Information Business Publications Business Resources & Organizations Challenges for a Small Business Elements of a Business Plan Federal Tax Center Internet Resources Links Small Business Members Only Small Business Forum
Business Resources and Organizations
Alabama Business Resources
Your one-stop Internet resource. Starting or running a business can present a myriad of questions. Just what are the laws, licensing requirements, regulations, taxes, and policies that must be complied with? What counties or municipalities require a license for certain occupations? Where do you turn to begin to find the answers? Industrial Relations has put together a one-stop Internet resource that can provide this information and more. dir.alabama.gov/ralbusiness/default.aspx
Alabama Power
If you are moving into an existing building, request utility services by calling the number above or completing the online service application. A connection fee and a cash deposit (or other security) will be required to establish a new electric service account. Commercial Customer Service
P.O. Box 2641
Birmingham, Alabama 35291
1-888-430-5787
www.southernco.com/alpower/business_home.asp
Baldwin EMC Baldwin EMC is a member-owned cooperative supplying electric service to approximately 55,000 customers throughout Baldwin County and southern Monroe County in southwestern Alabama. Baldwin EMC is the largest electric cooperative in the state of Alabama and one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation. Headquarters
P.O. Drawer 220
19600 State Highway 59
Summerdale, AL 36580
(251) 989-6247 or (800) 837-3374
(251) 989-0133 fax
www.baldwinemc.com
iTenWired
www.itenwired.com
iTen Wired was initiated by the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce in concert with its regional economic development partners in Mobile, Baldwin, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. The primary goal of iTen Wired is to remain competitive in the global economy by embracing the innovation of entrepreneurs across our region. This effort is done through four economic development partners: The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, TEAM Santa Rosa and the Okaloosa County EDC. The innovation efforts of iTen Wired are centered around technology driven entrepreneurship and focuses on bringing people and ideas together. It will connect multiple entrepreneurial groups and organizations together for the first time including IT Gulf Coast and High Growth Business Club in Pensacola, FL, TECMEN in Fort Walton Beach, FL and the Gulf Coast Technology Council in Mobile, AL. These groups represent over one hundred technology entrepreneurs across the five county region.
Minority Business Development Agency
www.mbecalabama.org
Minority businesses are vital to the progress of economic development and workforce development. Minority Business Enterprise Center™ (MBEC) Program of the Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency employs a comprehensive strategy that includes a nationwide network of business assistance resources
Mobile Public Library
The library offers a variety of resources including: books, periodicals, audio tapes, video tapes and computer software to help the small business person. They have “How To” books on accounting, business management, advertising, marketing and more. A grants database is available which can help non-profits and small businesses determine if there may be funding. In addition there are also many links to other small business resources available on the web at www.mplonline.org
Mobile Area Water and Sewer System
207 North Catherine Street
Mobile, Alabama 36604
(251) 694-3130
(251) 694-3448 fax
www.mawss.com
The Mobile Fire-Rescue Departments Bureau of Fire Prevention Routinely inspects all commercial, industrial, institutional, and assembly buildings, and residential buildings with more than two units. Other fire prevention activities include building plans review for compliance with fire code regulations before the building is constructed, issuance of permits for burning, bonfires, fire alarm and sprinklers system installation. For more information visit their website at 701 St. Francis Street
Mobile, Alabama 36602
251-208-7351
251-208-5813 fax
cityofmobile.org/fire/div_bureau.php
Mobile Gas
2828 Dauphin St.
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 476-8052
www.mobile-gas.com
South Regions Minority Business Council
The mission of SRMBC is to assist corporations, universities and government agencies to develop business opportunities with certified minority business enterprises. The Council provides development assistance to qualified entrepreneurs and works to maximize the volume of goods and services purchased from minority and women suppliers by major corporations, privately held companies and public sector institutions.
4715 Alton Court
Birmingham, AL 35210
205-957-1883
205-957-2114 fax
www.srmbc.org
Secretary of State of Alabama
Any small business which has elected to conduct operations as a business corporation must be aware of the state requirements for a corporation’s creation, maintenance of its status, and additional reporting and tax obligations unique to corporate existence at both State and Federal levels. The Secretary of State’s Office will provide assistance in this area, as well as registering out-of-state corporations who wish to operate in Alabama.
334-242-5324
Corporate Division
www.sos.state.al.us
U.S. Census Bureau
www.census.gov
U.S. Commissioner of Patent and Trademarks
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Washington D.C. 20231
703-308-4357 or 800-786-9199
www.uspto.gov
U.S. Department of Labor (Wage and Hour Division)
Provides information regarding minimum wage and overtime regulation, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Child Labor Act, Farm Labor Laws, and government contracts.
www.dol.gov/esa/whd
U.S. Small Business Administration, Birmingham District Office
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides financial, technical and management assistance to help individuals start, maintain and grow their small businesses. SBA is the nation’s largest single financial backer of small businesses.
801 Tom Martin Drive, Suite #201
Birmingham, AL 35211
(205) 290-7101
(205) 290-7404 fax
www.sba.gov/al
U.S. Department of Commerce
www.commerce.gov
Workman’s Compensation Insurance
Alabama law requires any employer with five or more employees to provide protection under the State’s Workers Compensation Insurance laws. Information concerning this requirement and its compliance may be obtained from the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations.
http://dir.alabama.gov/wc
www.alabamainteractive.org
Alabama Board of Home Medical Equipment Services Providers
www.homemed.state.al.us
Alabama Restaurant Association
www.alabamarestaurants.com
Mobile Society for Human Resource Managers
www.mobileshrm.org/
Baldwin County Society for Human Resource Managers
bcshrm.shrm.org/
Home Builders Association
251-661-6523
www.abcmidgulf.com
Better Business Bureau
251-433-5494
www.bbbsouthal.org/
Alabama Microenterprise Network
www.amencorp.com
SCORE is a non-profit association with 389 locations throughout the United States. Local chapters provide free counseling and low cost workshops in their communities. SCORE members are experienced business experts who are presently working or who are retired business executives, business owners or operations managers. They have received specialized training in counseling and mentoring on a variety of subjects including: How to Start a Business; Writing a Business Plan; Market Potential; Assessing Capital Needs; Cash Flow Management; Types of Organization; Buying a Business or Franchise; Keeping Records; Insurance Needs; Selling a Business.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce,
451 Government Street
Mobile, AL 36602
(251) 431-8614
(251) 431-8646 fax
score@mobilechamber.com
Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce
327 Fairhope Avenue
Fairhope, AL 36532
(251) 928-6387
(251) 928-6389 fax
info@baldwinscore.org
www.baldwinscore.org
Business Innovation Center
Under the directorship of E. Lynn Stacey, the BIC is a multi-tenant facility sponsored by Mobile County, the City of Mobile and the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. The incubator provides an ideal environment to nurture and launch new business concepts. It's also a place where experience...and risks...can be shared.
Since the BIC's inception in 1987, 81% of the graduate companies are still in business. Graduation from the incubator should mark the tenant as a stable, freestanding business which is a new asset to the community.
Lynn Stacey, Director
1301 Azalea Road
Mobile, AL 36693
251-660-7002
www.ceebic.org
Women’s Business Center, Inc.
The Women Business Center provides services and programs for the economic empowerment of women by assisting them to start and grow successful business. The Women Business Center offers counseling - free and confidential counseling to women business owners both start-up and existing. Experienced businesswomen, both staff and volunteers provide this counseling. They also offer training through a series of workshops and seminars on topics of interest to women business owners. Networking opportunities and referrals are also a part of the services available to women entrepreneurs. The WBAC center also provides monthly mentoring sessions for women owners to help them succeed.
1301 Azalea Rd. #201-B
Mobile, AL 36693-4703
251-660-2725
251-660-8854 Fax
www.womenbiz.biz
University of South Alabama Small Business Development Center USA SBDC provides no cost one-on-one counseling and low cost educational workshops. Business counseling is offered in the areas of financial management, marketing, human resources, operations, and information technology. Workshops topics include "nuts and bolts" for starting a business, market research, writing a business plan, understanding financials, legal issues, marketing, selling, patents & copyrights, new product development, and accessing financing.
Mitchell College of Business, Room 118
307 University Blvd.
Mobile, AL 36688-0002
(251) 460-6004
www.southalabama.edu/sbdc
Clinton Johnson Center for Economic Development
The Clinton L. Johnson Center for Economic Development was created to provide Mobilians in and around council district 3 with job training, and transition people from public assistance to economic independence. The incubator has office space available for five small start-up businesses or companies that have been in business for less than three years. Tenants have convenient access to a furnished office, fax machine, copier, computer, audio/video equipment, and a conference room.
1655 Eagle Drive
Mobile, Alabama 36605
(251) 470-1728
(251) 470-0582 fax
http://www.mhb.gov/ED_ctr.htm
Your one-stop Internet resource. Starting or running a business can present a myriad of questions. Just what are the laws, licensing requirements, regulations, taxes, and policies that must be complied with? What counties or municipalities require a license for certain occupations? Where do you turn to begin to find the answers? Industrial Relations has put together a one-stop Internet resource that can provide this information and more. dir.alabama.gov/ralbusiness/default.aspx
Alabama Power
If you are moving into an existing building, request utility services by calling the number above or completing the online service application. A connection fee and a cash deposit (or other security) will be required to establish a new electric service account. Commercial Customer Service
P.O. Box 2641
Birmingham, Alabama 35291
1-888-430-5787
www.southernco.com/alpower/business_home.asp
Baldwin EMC Baldwin EMC is a member-owned cooperative supplying electric service to approximately 55,000 customers throughout Baldwin County and southern Monroe County in southwestern Alabama. Baldwin EMC is the largest electric cooperative in the state of Alabama and one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation. Headquarters
P.O. Drawer 220
19600 State Highway 59
Summerdale, AL 36580
(251) 989-6247 or (800) 837-3374
(251) 989-0133 fax
www.baldwinemc.com
iTenWired
www.itenwired.com
iTen Wired was initiated by the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce in concert with its regional economic development partners in Mobile, Baldwin, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. The primary goal of iTen Wired is to remain competitive in the global economy by embracing the innovation of entrepreneurs across our region. This effort is done through four economic development partners: The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, TEAM Santa Rosa and the Okaloosa County EDC. The innovation efforts of iTen Wired are centered around technology driven entrepreneurship and focuses on bringing people and ideas together. It will connect multiple entrepreneurial groups and organizations together for the first time including IT Gulf Coast and High Growth Business Club in Pensacola, FL, TECMEN in Fort Walton Beach, FL and the Gulf Coast Technology Council in Mobile, AL. These groups represent over one hundred technology entrepreneurs across the five county region.
Minority Business Development Agency
www.mbecalabama.org
Minority businesses are vital to the progress of economic development and workforce development. Minority Business Enterprise Center™ (MBEC) Program of the Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency employs a comprehensive strategy that includes a nationwide network of business assistance resources
Mobile Public Library
The library offers a variety of resources including: books, periodicals, audio tapes, video tapes and computer software to help the small business person. They have “How To” books on accounting, business management, advertising, marketing and more. A grants database is available which can help non-profits and small businesses determine if there may be funding. In addition there are also many links to other small business resources available on the web at www.mplonline.org
Mobile Area Water and Sewer System
207 North Catherine Street
Mobile, Alabama 36604
(251) 694-3130
(251) 694-3448 fax
www.mawss.com
The Mobile Fire-Rescue Departments Bureau of Fire Prevention Routinely inspects all commercial, industrial, institutional, and assembly buildings, and residential buildings with more than two units. Other fire prevention activities include building plans review for compliance with fire code regulations before the building is constructed, issuance of permits for burning, bonfires, fire alarm and sprinklers system installation. For more information visit their website at 701 St. Francis Street
Mobile, Alabama 36602
251-208-7351
251-208-5813 fax
cityofmobile.org/fire/div_bureau.php
Mobile Gas
2828 Dauphin St.
Mobile, AL 36606
(251) 476-8052
www.mobile-gas.com
South Regions Minority Business Council
The mission of SRMBC is to assist corporations, universities and government agencies to develop business opportunities with certified minority business enterprises. The Council provides development assistance to qualified entrepreneurs and works to maximize the volume of goods and services purchased from minority and women suppliers by major corporations, privately held companies and public sector institutions.
4715 Alton Court
Birmingham, AL 35210
205-957-1883
205-957-2114 fax
www.srmbc.org
Secretary of State of Alabama
Any small business which has elected to conduct operations as a business corporation must be aware of the state requirements for a corporation’s creation, maintenance of its status, and additional reporting and tax obligations unique to corporate existence at both State and Federal levels. The Secretary of State’s Office will provide assistance in this area, as well as registering out-of-state corporations who wish to operate in Alabama.
334-242-5324
Corporate Division
www.sos.state.al.us
U.S. Census Bureau
www.census.gov
U.S. Commissioner of Patent and Trademarks
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Washington D.C. 20231
703-308-4357 or 800-786-9199
www.uspto.gov
U.S. Department of Labor (Wage and Hour Division)
Provides information regarding minimum wage and overtime regulation, the Family and Medical Leave Act, Child Labor Act, Farm Labor Laws, and government contracts.
www.dol.gov/esa/whd
U.S. Small Business Administration, Birmingham District Office
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides financial, technical and management assistance to help individuals start, maintain and grow their small businesses. SBA is the nation’s largest single financial backer of small businesses.
801 Tom Martin Drive, Suite #201
Birmingham, AL 35211
(205) 290-7101
(205) 290-7404 fax
www.sba.gov/al
U.S. Department of Commerce
www.commerce.gov
Workman’s Compensation Insurance
Alabama law requires any employer with five or more employees to provide protection under the State’s Workers Compensation Insurance laws. Information concerning this requirement and its compliance may be obtained from the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations.
http://dir.alabama.gov/wc
Additional Resources and Organizations
Alabama Board of Cosmetologywww.alabamainteractive.org
Alabama Board of Home Medical Equipment Services Providers
www.homemed.state.al.us
Alabama Restaurant Association
www.alabamarestaurants.com
Mobile Society for Human Resource Managers
www.mobileshrm.org/
Baldwin County Society for Human Resource Managers
bcshrm.shrm.org/
Home Builders Association
251-661-6523
www.abcmidgulf.com
Better Business Bureau
251-433-5494
www.bbbsouthal.org/
Alabama Microenterprise Network
www.amencorp.com
Local Technical Assistance Providers
SCORESCORE is a non-profit association with 389 locations throughout the United States. Local chapters provide free counseling and low cost workshops in their communities. SCORE members are experienced business experts who are presently working or who are retired business executives, business owners or operations managers. They have received specialized training in counseling and mentoring on a variety of subjects including: How to Start a Business; Writing a Business Plan; Market Potential; Assessing Capital Needs; Cash Flow Management; Types of Organization; Buying a Business or Franchise; Keeping Records; Insurance Needs; Selling a Business.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce,
451 Government Street
Mobile, AL 36602
(251) 431-8614
(251) 431-8646 fax
score@mobilechamber.com
Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce
327 Fairhope Avenue
Fairhope, AL 36532
(251) 928-6387
(251) 928-6389 fax
info@baldwinscore.org
www.baldwinscore.org
Business Innovation Center
Under the directorship of E. Lynn Stacey, the BIC is a multi-tenant facility sponsored by Mobile County, the City of Mobile and the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. The incubator provides an ideal environment to nurture and launch new business concepts. It's also a place where experience...and risks...can be shared.
Since the BIC's inception in 1987, 81% of the graduate companies are still in business. Graduation from the incubator should mark the tenant as a stable, freestanding business which is a new asset to the community.
Lynn Stacey, Director
1301 Azalea Road
Mobile, AL 36693
251-660-7002
www.ceebic.org
Women’s Business Center, Inc.
The Women Business Center provides services and programs for the economic empowerment of women by assisting them to start and grow successful business. The Women Business Center offers counseling - free and confidential counseling to women business owners both start-up and existing. Experienced businesswomen, both staff and volunteers provide this counseling. They also offer training through a series of workshops and seminars on topics of interest to women business owners. Networking opportunities and referrals are also a part of the services available to women entrepreneurs. The WBAC center also provides monthly mentoring sessions for women owners to help them succeed.
1301 Azalea Rd. #201-B
Mobile, AL 36693-4703
251-660-2725
251-660-8854 Fax
www.womenbiz.biz
University of South Alabama Small Business Development Center USA SBDC provides no cost one-on-one counseling and low cost educational workshops. Business counseling is offered in the areas of financial management, marketing, human resources, operations, and information technology. Workshops topics include "nuts and bolts" for starting a business, market research, writing a business plan, understanding financials, legal issues, marketing, selling, patents & copyrights, new product development, and accessing financing.
Mitchell College of Business, Room 118
307 University Blvd.
Mobile, AL 36688-0002
(251) 460-6004
www.southalabama.edu/sbdc
Clinton Johnson Center for Economic Development
The Clinton L. Johnson Center for Economic Development was created to provide Mobilians in and around council district 3 with job training, and transition people from public assistance to economic independence. The incubator has office space available for five small start-up businesses or companies that have been in business for less than three years. Tenants have convenient access to a furnished office, fax machine, copier, computer, audio/video equipment, and a conference room.
1655 Eagle Drive
Mobile, Alabama 36605
(251) 470-1728
(251) 470-0582 fax
http://www.mhb.gov/ED_ctr.htm
