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| Small Business Services |
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News
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The Chamber’s Small Business programs are carefully designed to provide assistance, information, networking opportunities and opportunities for growth for woman-owned, small, and home-based businesses.
Want to learn more? We welcome your call or visit to the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County. |
Obama Administration Takes Immediate Actions to Help Small Businesses »
WASHINGTON, DC -- The President believes that entrepreneurs and small businesses are engines of innovation and economic growth and are at the forefront of the nation's economic recovery. This is why the Obama Administration has worked to enact 18 small business tax cuts and numerous measures to help more small businesses access the credit they need to invest, hire, and grow. |
What to Look For in Your Business Loan Agreement’s Fine Print »
Applying for a business loan and securing its approval can be a lengthy process. The actual approval time varies widely depending on the type of loan, its complexity, and the borrower’s timeliness providing the necessary information. This guide from SBA can help you gather the right paperwork, whether you’re applying for an SBA loan or a regular business loan |
SBA Loans to Alabama Companies Jump 65% »
Government-backed loans given to Alabama's small business community increased 65% during the fiscal year (ending 9/30/11) to $178.7 million, from $108.2 million the previous fiscal year. Many lenders and borrows took advantage of an increased guaranty rate of 90% and temporarily-waived loan fees. |
New Guidance on Hiring and Managing Disabled Veterans »
With the troop drawdown and the long-anticipated end of American operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, employers will have a new labor pool: returning veterans, many of whom may be disabled |
| WBCNA Needs Your Help! »
The SBA Women's Business Center (WBC) Program is in danger of being eliminated in Washington. That is where the WBCNA gets a majority of its funding. Please take a moment to contact your elected officials to ask them to continue to fund the WBC program. Below is a draft of what you might say (please feel free to change as so desired). The best way to get a politician to listen, is to have a lot of people contact him/her.
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SBA Helps Small Business Owners
Win Federal Contracts with New Web-based Course »
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Partnership Links
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Starting a business or need advice on an existing small business? Check these websites out for helpful information for all of your small business questions:
• Alabama A&M University Small Business Development Center
www.aamu.edu/Academics/BPA/
centersandprograms/smallbusiness
developmentcenter/Pages/default.aspx
• Alabama Development Office Small Business Services www.ado.alabama.gov/content/
ourservices/small_business/
smallbusiness.aspx
• ADO - Various Small Business Publications»
• BizTech
www.biztech.org
• City of Huntsville Business License
http://www.hsvcity.com/
clerk/priv_lic.php
• Huntsville Association of Small Businesses in Advanced Technology (HASBAT)
www.hasbat.org
• IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
www.irs.gov/businesses/
small/index.html
• Madison County Business License
www.co.madison.al.us/about/org/
CoDepts/LicenseDept/
business.shtml
• The National Contract Management Association (NCMA)
http://www.ncmahsv.org
• North Alabama African American Chamber of Commerce
www.naaachamber.org
• Patriot Express Loan
www.sba.gov/patriotexpress
• Small Business Administration (SBA)
www.sba.gov/localresources/
district/al/index.html
• Small Business Development Center @ UAHuntsville
http://sbdc.uah.edu
• Women’s Business Council (WBC)
www.huntsvillealabamausa.com/
wbc/home.html
• Women’s Economic Development Council (WEDC)
www.wedc-online.com |
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Small Business Development Services
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The Small Business Division, in conjunction with the Alabama A&M University Small Business Development Center and University of Alabama in Huntsville Small Business Development Center, provides training in the form of workshops and seminars targeted toward new business owners and the small business community as a whole.
For more information, please contact:
Alabama A&M University
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services
School of Business, Room 113,
P.O. Box 429, Normal, AL 35762
Phone: (256) 372-8018
Fax: (256) 372-5683
www.aamu.edu/academics/bpa/
centersandprograms/
dbesupportservices/
pages/default.aspx
University of Alabama in Huntsville Small Business Development Center
College of Administrative Science,
ASB 126-A, 301 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, AL 35899
Phone: (256) 824-6422
Fax: (256) 824-4339
http://sbdc.uah.edu
Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County Small Business Division
225 Church Street, P.O. Box 408,
Huntsville, AL 35801-0408
Phone: (256) 535-2043
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| Here For You
The following services and networking opportunities are intended especially for the Chamber’s small business members. Every aspect of the Chamber’s work supports the primary objective of growing and improving our local economy. If you have further questions about the Chamber’s offerings, please contact Pammie Jimmar, Small Business Manager at pjimmar@hsvchamber.org or (256) 535-2043.
| Annual Small Business Awards |
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 This is an event held yearly to spotlight our local entrepreneurs for their outstanding accomplishments as small business leaders. The awards currently have seven categories and are attended by over 1,100 community leaders, small business owners and dignitaries.
• 2012 Winners / finalists / Contenders / Sponsors »
• Photos »
• 2011 Winners and finalists (List) »
• 2011 Winners and finalists (Video) »
• 2011 Contenders »
• 2011 Sponsors »
• 2010 SBA Finalists and Winners »
• 2009 SBA Finalists and Winners »
• 2008 SBA Finalists and Winners »
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| Annual Business EXPO |
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 This event allows small businesses to come together in one location to showcase to the community their products and services. This is one of the Chamber’s best attended events, typically drawing over 1,000 participants.
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| Small Business Council |
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 This group of designated members serves as a liaison and advisory group to the Chamber on small business issues and ways the Chamber can serve its members more efficiently. |
| Training Seminars |
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Seminars are offered focusing on small business issues such as Earned Value Management, Change Management and Recruiting. These seminars are priced minimally and are usually held over lunch.
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| CEO Roundtables |
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 Each roundtable offers a forum in which CEOs, presidents, owners and organizational leaders can obtain valuable insights into each others’ successes and achievements, and learn how to avoid the pitfalls of past mistakes. In addition, the Chamber holds bi-annual receptions where current and future members come together for a networking opportunity. This group is for Chamber members only.
• Download brochure/
application form (PDF) »
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| Women’s Business Council |
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 This group of designated women are small business owners that serve as an advisory group to the Chamber on issues affecting women entrepreneurs. They offer mentoring and quarterly forums.
• More information »
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| On-site Small Business Assistance |
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 The Chamber offers counseling services to those individuals starting a business or currently needing assistance with their small business. The counselors represent, the Women’s Business Center of North Alabama (WBCNA) and are located at the Chamber M-F from 8-5. |
| On-line Job Postings |
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 This service is for Chamber members only and provides companies with a venue to advertise current job openings at no cost. The website is maintained daily and can be found at www.asmartplace.com. |
| Business After Hours (BAH) |
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 This venue offers a networking opportunity for small business owners and large business representatives in a relaxed, professional atmosphere. BAH’s are usually held 6 to 8 times per year from 5-7 p.m.
• Upcoming Business After Hours »
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| Breakfast & Biz (B&B) |
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 These events are an excellent way to network in an intimate, structured environment. Individuals are placed in groups of eight and are given one minute to share with the group their organization’s benefits and services. Tables rotate six times during the event giving individuals a tremendous amount of exposure in a short period of time. These events are held quarterly and run from 7-9 a.m.
• Upcoming Breakfast & Biz »
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Our Promise
The Chamber will deliver value to its members. We will work to enhance networking programs and business referrals in order to promote member companies and stimulate local economic activity. We will work to grow our strong membership base through value-added services, retention and marketing. We will inform members on key issues impacting their companies and our community’s economic condition.
| Member News |
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This service offers small businesses an opportunity to promote special events or major announcements regarding their organization and is located on the Chamber website. All submissions must be directed to Patricia McCarter, Communications Director at pmccarter@hsvchamber.org
• View Chamber member news »
• View the latest bimonthly ChamberLink newsletter »
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| Ribbon Cuttings / Groundbreakings |
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 The Chamber offers ribbon cutting and groundbreaking assistance to small business owners. This is a great way to promote your company, receive community recognition and bring other Chamber members into their establishment. For information, email: info@hsvchamber.org.
• View photo gallery »
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Sponsorship Opportunities /
Total Resource Campaign (TRC) |
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 The Chamber offers a vast array of sponsorship and advertising opportunities that fit into every budget – most of which are purchased through our yearly TRC from mid-April to the end of June. The TRC is managed and executed by our volunteers. For more information, email Donna McCrary at dmcrary@hsvchamber.org.
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| Ambassador Program |
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 This program offers members an opportunity to volunteer to serve as a Chamber representative at events such as our Business After Hours, ribbon cuttings, etc. It also allows individuals to broaden their networking opportunities and business relationships.
• More information »
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| Emissary Program |
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 This program is geared toward our more seasoned volunteers, having been involved actively with the Chamber for at least one year. The primary focus is to serve as a liaison between the member companies and the Chamber. They advise and educate on Chamber activities and provide feedback for improvement.
• More information »
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