Your Local SBA

Counseling and Training

 

SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Business"

The SCORE Association is the premiere volunteer business counseling and advice service found in the United States. This year, SCORE is celebrating 40 years of helping new generations of small business owners grow their businesses and new entrepreneurs start their ventures.

As a resource partner with the SBA, SCORE provides information vital to small business success. This includes counseling on financing options, business planning, marketing strategies, product development and more. Individual members and counseling teams with diverse business knowledge and experience provide one-on-one, confidential counseling at no cost to the business owner.

SCORE presents workshops and business seminars at various locations throughout the state for a modest fee. Topics include:
- Preparing a Business Plan
- Sales and Marketing
- Financing Your Business
- Understanding SBA Lending

View future workshops and seminars via SCORE’s website at
www.scoremn.org or SBA’s at www.sba.gov/mn select Training Calendar.

Small Business Development Centers

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide high quality technical assistance, counseling and training to prospective and existing small business owners. SBDCs are sponsored by the SBA in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and the colleges, universities, and other organizations where SBDCs are located.

The Minnesota SBDCs provide one-on-one counseling and group training seminars on management topics to small businesses throughout the state. Counselors help new and growing businesses in the areas of business planning, financial analysis, loan packaging and marketing of their companies. Counseling is customized to meet the needs of the client. There is no charge to the client for counseling services. For more information visit their website at:
mnsbdc.com.

U.S Export Assistance Centers

The U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) offers a full range of federal export programs and services in one location. The Minneapolis USEAC, one of 19 nationwide, is partnered by the SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) – Commercial Service and SCORE. It’s a partnership that makes it easier for exporters to get the help they need to compete and succeed in the global marketplace. USEAC professionals are there to help small business with market research, trade finance, customized counseling, consulting and advocacy, trade events and international partners. The USEAC is co-located with SBA in Minneapolis with representatives who travel throughout the state. For information or assistance with the SBA export financing programs (Export Working Capital Program (EWCP), SBA Export Express, and International Trade Program) explained in our SBA Financing Programs section, telephone (612) 348-1642.

Women's Business Centers

Two Minnesota Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) operate under contract with SBA. WBCs provide the latest in business information and long-term training, best practices advice, computer and Internet training and access, individual and group business counseling, access to the SBA’s programs and services, and much more. 


Women Venture
2324 University Ave. W
St. Paul, MN 55114
(651) 646-3808
Toll Free: 1-866-646-3808

Northeast Entrepreneur Fund
Suite 100
8355 Unity Drive
Virginia, MN 55792
(218)749-4191