Business Assistance

The Cabarrus Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship was created to support the creation of new businesses and the growth of existing small businesses through free or low-cost educational and networking programs, mentor networks, capital access, and events.  The space, located at 57 Union St S in downtown Concord, is designed to deliver affordable, fully furnished work areas with amenities, meeting rooms, and networking opportunities.

Economic Development Partnership of NC (EDPNC) offers a central source for consultations, information, and referrals through the EDPNC Small Business Advisors. Call 1-800-228-8443 to speak with a business counselor for free.

Through the N.C. Department of Insurance web site, there is information regarding insurance for businesses. A helpful publication entitled A Consumer's Guide to Insurance for Your Business is available to view, or download.

Some businesses provide special services to a government entities, including federal, state, and/or local.  Below are some helpful sites that can help a business tap into the government market.

Doing Business with the Federal Government

Doing Business with the State of North Carolina

Doing Business with Cabarrus County

Doing Business with the City of Concord

The U.S. Export Assistance Centers of North Carolina help NC businesses to excel in international markets. Experienced International Trade Specialists are located in Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh. Specialists in the global network will assist U.S. firms to export products and services by identifying qualified international buyers and representatives, advocating on their behalf, and providing comprehensive solutions to whatever challenges they may encounter. The related U.S. Government web sites are International Trade Administration and BUYUSA.GOV.

NC State University's Industry Expansion Solutions, the first of its kind in the US, was established in 1955 to help North Carolina industries grow and prosper. On their website you will find information about the ways that they can help your company stay abreast of the latest technologies and best practices from both engineering and business management perspectives. The website describes their extensive products and services for continuing education; industrial and solar energy; environmental, safety, and health management; lean enterprise; and quality. Additionally, you can access true stories describing successful collaborations with North Carolina companies, and tap into a multitude of other resources.

The Small Business Center at the local Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is designed to assist people starting a small business and to help people expand existing businesses. Through workshops, seminars, individual counseling, and referrals to other agencies, the centers are able to provide FREE assistance to the small business owner.

Since its beginning in 1992, the Small Business Center has assisted more than 500 small businesses. In addition, the center has individually counseled or provided seminars for more than 2,000 individuals who wanted to start a small business. There is a "How-to Booklet" you can view to gather information.

The RCCC Small business Centers provides free, confidential counseling services for new and existing businesses. Available on an as-needed basis, this free, confidential service acts as a sounding board for ideas and concerns you may have about your business. The professional staff will help you find solutions to your challenging business questions. No question is too simple or complicated.

Seminars are available on a variety of small business topics including:

How to Start a Business
How to Write a Business Plan
Recordkeeping and Taxes
Financing a Business
Marketing for Success.
Licenses & Permits
Business/Legal Structure

The North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is a business advisory resource for growing and developing businesses. Our highly skilled professionals provide services statewide from offices hosted by campuses of The University of North Carolina System. The SBTDC operates in formal partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency and others, making it a unique and valued asset in the economic development infrastructure of North Carolina.

In 1974, the Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC) was launched by the U.S. Economic Development Administration through the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program. SETAAC’s mission is to help import-impacted U.S. manufacturing firms develop and implement projects to regain global competitiveness, expand markets, strengthen operations, and increase profitability, thereby increasing U.S. jobs.

The North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State provides a variety of information concerning partnerships, LLC’s and corporations.

The mission of the U.S. Small Business Administration is to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from national disasters. Since its founding on July 30, 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses.

The SBA office serving North Carolina is located in Charlotte.

North Carolina District Office
6302 Fairview Road, Suite 300
Charlotte, NC 28210
(704) 344-6563 Phone
(704) 344-6769 Fax
1-800-827-5722 Phone toll free to SBA
Web site:  http://www.sba.gov/nc/index.html

Ten Steps to Starting a Business