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| Small Business Services |
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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.
• Community-wide Small Business Resources (PDF) »
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News & Article
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| The latest edition of the Small Business Profiles for the States and Territories is available. » |
| HASBAT is now accepting nominations from its membership for the third annual Small Business Advocate Award for Excellence. The recipient will be recognized at the 2009 Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards Celebration Banquet. The individual who nominated the recipient will be invited to attend the Awards banquet as well. Qualified nominees are local individuals or organizations who have been instrumental in fostering a culture of identifying innovation in small businesses and partnering with those businesses to win government contracts. Continue » |
| If your small business is stressed meeting expenses during these economic times, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has a new loan program designed just for you.
SBA’s America’s Recovery Capital Loan Program (ARC) can provide up to $35,000 in short-term relief for viable small businesses facing immediate financial hardship to help ride out the current uncertain economic times and return to profitability. Each small business is limited to one ARC loan. ARC loans will be offered by some SBA lenders for as long as funding is available or until September 30, 2010, whichever comes first. For more details on the program, click here.
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Washington Post
Agencies Counted Big Firms As Small
SBA Says It Will Correct Data on Federal Contracts
October 22, 2008
U.S. government agencies made at least $5 billion in mistakes in their recent reports of contracts awarded to small businesses, with many claiming credit for awards to companies that long ago outgrew the designation or never qualified in the first place, a Washington Post analysis shows. Continue (PDF) »
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U.S. Small Business Administration -- News Release --
SBA Submits Final Women's Contracting Rule » |
| SBA 504 Loan Program Continues Small Business Lending in Spite Of Current Credit Crisis
The Southern Development Council, Inc. reports SBA 504 loans are available for business expansion for America's small business entrepreneurs (PDF) »
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Are You a Small Business?
See What Your Chamber Can Do For You
(Initiatives Reviews, Feb. '08) » |
SBA Helps Small Business Owners
Win Federal Contracts with New Web-based Course »
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Useful 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:
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Past Events
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Women’s Business Center of North Alabama (WBCNA)
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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 Small Business Development Center
School of Business, Room 113, P.O. Box 429, Normal, AL 35762
Phone: (256) 372.8018
Fax: (256) 372.5683
www.aamu.edu/sbdc
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 Center
225 Church Street, P.O. Box 408, Huntsville, AL 35801-0408
Phone: (256) 535.2061
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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 Jenni Jeffers, director of Small Business Services at (256) 535-2011 or jjeffers@hsvchamber.org.
| 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.
• 2008 Small Business Awards Winners »
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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 »
• Upcoming WBC Forum Luncheon »
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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), Alabama A&M University and the UA Huntsville 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. |
| 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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| 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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| Small Business Library |
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The Chamber offers an array of materials focused on starting or maintaining your small business. The library can be found on the second floor of the Chamber in the small business area. |
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-to-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 John Southerland at jsoutherland@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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| Affinity and Member-to-Member Programs |
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Both programs give members the opportunity to offer special discounts that are exclusive to Chamber members only.
• More information »
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| Information Services Center
The Chamber’s Information Services Center is located directly off the Chamber lobby and provides easy access to community information and area resources. Personal assistance is provided to businesses, newcomers or any one looking to know more about the Huntsville region including information on area real estate, industry, business services and local hospitality.
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