STATE AND FEDERAL BUSINESS RESOURCES

 

Rhode Island has a wealth of resources designed specifically to assist new and existing business, large and small. The following is a list of agencies and organizations that can help your business from start-up to expansion:

 

♦ Rhode Island Small Business Development Center, South County Office, 35 Belver Ave., North Kingstown, RI 02852; telephone (401)294-1227; fax (401)294-6897; Contact: Diane C. Fournaris, Program Manager. Information, referrals and training to start-up companies; free, one-on-one consulting services to existing small businesses.

 

♦ U.S. Small Business Administration, Providence District Office, 380 Westminster St., Providence, RI 02903; telephone (401)528-4561; fax (401)528-4539; small business training, counseling, business development and loan programs.

 

♦ Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), 390 Westminster St., Providence, RI 02903; telephone (401)528-4571; small business training programs, business plan assistance and mentoring.

 

♦ R I. Economic Development Corp., One West Exchange St., Providence, RI 02903; telephone (401)222-2601; Business services, referrals, tourism, tax credits and information on doing business in Rhode Island. www.riedc.com.

 

♦ Business First, One West Exchange St., Providence, RI 02903; telephone 1-888-384-9704; Contact: Program Manager. “One-stop shopping” and referrals to small business resources throughout the state of Rhode Island. www.businessfirst.org.

 

♦ First Stop Business Information Center, Office of the Secretary of State, 100 North Main St., Providence, RI 02903; telephone (401) 222-2185; fax (401) 222-3890; contact Paul Caranci, director; information on business structures, business registration, licensing and permitting requirements.

 

♦ Enterprise Community Business Information Center, 550 Broad St., Providence, RI 02905; telephone – (401) 272-1086; extensive business reference library, including audio/visual training guides, state-of-the-art computers and business planning software.

 

♦ Center for Women and Enterprise, 380 Westminster St., Providence, RI 02903; telephone – (401) 528-4595; fax – (401) 528-4359; contact Carol Malysz, director; training, counseling and financing assistance for women entrepreneurs.

 

♦ Center for Design and Business, Two College St., Providence, RI 02903; telephone (401) 454-6108; contact Cheryl Faria, director; training, counseling and information tailored to artists, designers, inventors and other entrepreneurs needing commercialization skills.

 

♦ Bell Atlantic Telecommunications Center, Bryant College, 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917; telephone (401) 232-0220; contact Kate Dolan, managing director; information and assistance on using various technologies to enhance productivity and efficiency.

 

♦ Rhode Island Export Assistance Center, Bryant College, 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917; telephone (401) 232-6407; fax (401) 232-6416; contact Ray Fogarty, director; resource for businesses seeking assistance in exporting to foreign markets.