The government has tools for you to
make business start-up easier and your operations more efficient. As Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate
Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, I am committed to working
with you to create the best possible environment for small business start-ups,
sustainability, and growth. The dreams of
Below is a roadmap of resources you need as a prospective or existing small business
owner. In the past, as we say in
The road to successful business ownership is exhausting yet rewarding, and the value of the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a partner can easily be measured in the success of the entrepreneurs who have used SBA programs and services. From the SBA District Office in Maine to the Offices of the Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, and the Women’s Business Center — Maine entrepreneurs have a firm ground on which to build and sustain their small businesses.
Starting Your Small Business
Starting and operating a small business can be overwhelming. The initial steps can often determine the success of a small business. The roadmap for small businesses on the internet begins at the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) website, which offers a step-by-step guide to start your business (www.sba.gov).
The followings provides a guide to information and resources to start and run a business.
- The SBA Maine District Office is the first stop for the entrepreneur seeking assistance. The SBA extends its reach into communities across the state of Maine through its partners:
- The Maine Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) provides a variety of government contracting technical assistance services, including marketing to Maine-based businesses of all sizes (www.maineptac.org).
- USA.gov is an official government
website with online services for businesses, including information on buying
from and selling to the federal government, laws and regulations, publications
for small businesses, data and statistics, business finance and taxes, search
engines for services near you, and links to other business websites.
- Export.gov brings together resources from across the US government, including the SBA, to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and succeed in today’s global marketplace.
- The SBA Office of the national Ombudsman assists small businesses with federal regulatory enforcement concerns (www.sba.gov/ombudsman).
- IRS.gov is the Internal Revenue Service’s official website, offering helpful tools for the small business owners. In addition, the IRS offers Small Business Products that are available by calling 1-800-829-3676.
- Grants.gov is your source to find and
apply for federal grants.
Growing Your Small Business
The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship website www.sbc.senate.gov/public/ offers a number of resources regarding:
- Loan and grant programs
- Disaster assistance
- Entrepreneurial development
- Equity and venture capital
- Contracting opportunities
- Regulations
- Taxes
- Health care
- Environmental concerns and energy efficiency
- Exporting and trade
According to
the SBA Office of Advocacy, Small businesses in the
- Represent more than 99 percent of all employers
- Create over two-thirds of all new jobs
- Employ more than half of all private sector employees
- Pay 44 percent of total
- Made up 97 percent of all identified exporters
- Hire 40 percent of high tech workers (such as scientists, engineers, and computer programmers)
- Provide 47 percent of all sales in the
Small Businesses' Role in the U.S. Economy
According to
the SBA Office of Advocacy, Small businesses in the
- Represent more than 99 percent of all employers
- Create over two-thirds of all new jobs
- Employ more than half of all private sector employees
- Pay 44 percent of total
- Made up 97 percent of all identified exporters
- Hire 40 percent of high tech workers (such as scientists, engineers, and computer programmers)
- Provide 47 percent of all sales in the
About the Small Business Administration (SBA)
The U.S. Small Business Administration, established in 1953, provides financial, technical and management assistance to help entrepreneurs start, operate and grow their small businesses. With a portfolio of business loans, the SBA is the nation's largest financial backer of small businesses and offers a broad menu of small business assistance programs and services. The SBA also plays a major role in the government's disaster relief efforts by making low interest recovery loans to homeowners and businesses.
To learn how a small business may access SBA resources, including loans, please visit: www.sba.gov
To register for federal contracting, please visit: www.bpn.gov/ccr
The SBA District Office can provide general procurement assistance. A web-based tool can be found at: www.Fedbizopps.gov
Maine
68 Sewall
Street, Room 512
Augusta
www.sba.gov/me
SCORE Counselors to America
Augusta:
207-622-8509 - Aroostook: 207-492-6156
Bangor:
207-942-0103 - Lewiston/Auburn: 207-782-3708
Ellsworth:
207-667-5800 - Oxford Hills: 207-743-0499
Portland: 207-772-1147 - Western
Mountain: 207-364-3123
www.scoremaine.org
Small Business Development Centers
Lead Center
(Portland): 207-780-4420
Auburn: 207-783-9186
- Augusta: 207-620-3521
Bangor: 207-942-6389
- Bath: 207-882-7552
Caribou: 207-498-8736 -
Ellsworth: 207-664-2990
Fairfield: 207-453-4258
- Springvale: 207-324-0316
Wiscasset: 207-882-4340
Plus 17 additional outreach centers, which can be located at www.mainesbdc.org
Women’s Business Center
Lead Center (Wiscasset): 207-882-7552
www.ceimaine.org/women