“Alabama’s small businesses and entrepreneurs need the correct information and resources to start and grow their businesses.”

The 20 chapters address a range of issues including financial feasibility, creating a business plan, choosing a legal structure, taxes and financing, as well as other topics essential to starting a business in Alabama.

Additionally, “Alabama’s Answers” references and directs you to most city, state and federal forms needed to start a business in Alabama.

“Alabama’s small businesses and entrepreneurs need the correct information and resources to start and grow their businesses,” said Eddie Postell, Program Manager of the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Office of Small Business Advocacy.

“’Alabama Answers’ helps the would-be entrepreneur transition their business ideas into a successful business.”

HELPING ENTREPRENEURS

Commerce’s Office of Small Business Advocacy fosters the growth of Alabama’s small businesses by providing assistance in a variety of ways.

First and foremost, the office enlists the cooperation and assistance of public and private agencies, businesses, and other organizations by disseminating information about their programs and services, identifying educational outreach programs, and providing counseling to startup and existing small businesses about local, state, and federal programs and services available for small business development.

The Office of Small Business Advocacy works closely with the Alabama SBDC Network and its Small Business Development Centers located at member university partners across the state.

In addition, the office coordinates its efforts with an array of expert resource partners which includes the Alabama Department of Transportation — DBE, SBE programs — the Department of Revenue’s Office of Taxpayer Advocacy, the Alabama SBA District Office, Women’s Business Centers, Chambers of Commerce, business incubators, and local economic developers.

The Alabama SBDC Network has provided no-cost assistance to Alabamians looking to start or grow their businesses for over 40 years.

Annually, the ASBDC delivers its programs and services to all 67 counties in Alabama.  Through its network of 10 service centers and its host institution — The University of Alabama — the Alabama SBDC helps the small business community through its no-cost one-on-one business advising and educational programming.

Over the last five years, the Alabama SBDC has guided entrepreneurs to start 1,115 new businesses, helped small businesses owners create 4,519 new jobs, and facilitated over $520 million in growth capital, all while maintaining a 96% “would recommend” rating from its clients.

Surveys show that Alabama SBDC clients have higher revenue growth and stronger job creation than the average small business — and they’re more likely to survive economic downturns.