Regional Resources
Phillip Marks
Procurement Advisor
Box 5250 – 541 West College Street
Florence, AL 35632
Phone: (256) 765-4668
Ms. Kimberly Hughston
Director
Phone: (256) 765-4629
Email: khughston@una.edu
Michael Butz
Associate Director
Phone: (256) 765-4599
Email: mcbutz@una.edu
Box 5250 – 541 West College Street
Florence, AL 35632
The mission of the Alabama SBDC at UNA is to strengthen Alabama’s economy by providing high-quality one-on-one confidential assistance, training, and education to small businesses targeted for increasing employment, fostering growth, and improving financial stability.
Becky Estes
Business Manager
Bevill State Community College
1411 Indiana Avenue
Jasper, AL 35501
Phone: (205) 387-0511, ext. 5873
Fax: (205) 387-9782
Email: bestes@atn.org
ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
Mitch Hamm
Director
Northwest Shoals Community College
P.O. Box 2545
Muscle Shoals, AL 35662
Phone: (256) 331-5383
Fax: (256) 331-5386
Email: mhamm@atn.org
ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
Keith Jones
Executive Director
103 Student Drive
Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
Phone: (256) 389-0555
Fax: (256) 389-0599
Email: kjones@nacolg.org
Giles McDaniel
Director
3115 Northington Court
Florence, AL 35630
Phone: (256) 760-9014
Fax: (256) 740-5530
Email: giles@shoalsbusinessincubator.com
The SEC staff will assist businesses with planning, computer training, referrals to local professionals, lists of food brokers, and other food industry information. Other resources will be identified for assistance at both the local and state levels.
Caitlin Burns
President
20 Hightower Place
Florence, AL 35630
Phone: (256) 764-4661 or (877) 764-4661
Fax: (256) 766-9017
Email: shoals@shoalschamber.com
The Shoals Chamber of Commerce can offer assistance to new and expanding businesses either directly or through a variety of organizations.
Giles McDaniel
Director
501 Little Rock Avenue
Sheffield, AL 35660
Phone: (256) 760-9014
Fax: (256) 740-5530
Email: giles@shoalsec.com
Incubator clients receive mentoring, networking and public relations opportunities, access to equipment, and referral to professionals in order to help prepare them to move out into their own facility.
Giles McDaniel
Director
610 W. College Street
Florence, AL 35630
Phone: (256) 760-9014
Fax: (256) 740-5530
Email: giles@shoalsbusinessincubator.com
The SEC staff will assist businesses with planning, computer training, referrals to local professionals, lists of food brokers, and other food industry information. Other resources will be identified for assistance at both the local and state levels.
Brian Yarbrough
Area Director – Area 1
4890 University Square
Suite 3-G
Huntsville, AL 35816
Phone: (256) 947-5203
Fax: (256) 544-2158
Email: brian.yarbrough@usda.gov
Counties served: Colbert, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan. Guaranteed Loans, Direct Loans and Grants are available through USDA Rural Development.
Teresa Long
Area Director – Area 3
3831-B Palisades Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Phone: (205) 650-3376
Fax: (205) 553-5100
Email: Chandra.young@usda.gov
Counties served: Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens, Shelby, Sumter, Tuscaloosa. Guaranteed Loans, Direct Loans and Grants are available through USDA Rural Development.
Phillip O. Marks
Associate Director—Training & Alabama APEX
Box 5250 – 541 West College Street
Florence, AL 35632
Phone: (256) 765-4668
Email: pomarks@una.edu
The mission of the Alabama SBDC at UNA is to strengthen Alabama’s economy by providing high-quality one-on-one confidential assistance, training, and education to small businesses targeted for increasing employment, fostering growth, and improving financial stability.
Dennis Stripling
Executive Director
4200 Highway 69 North, Suite (35473)
P.O. Box 509
Northport, AL 35476
Phone: (205) 333-2990 ext 218
Fax: (205) 333-2713
Email: warc@westal.org
Hilary Claybourne
Phone: (256) 824-6936
The procurement advisors at UAH use innovative technology and sound business practices to assist businesses in obtaining local, state and federal government contracts.
Jim Highfield
Business Enterprise Representative
VRS District Office – Talladega
#4 Medical Office Park
Talladega, AL 35160
Phone: (256) 362-1300
Fax: (256) 362-6387
Marshall and DeKalb counties. Provides qualified blind individuals with job training and employment opportunities through the management and operation of small businesses.
Ron Conley
Business Enterprise Representative
VRS District Office – Decatur
621 Cherry Street, NE
Decatur , AL 35602
Phone: (256) 353-2754
Fax: (256) 351-2476
Service area: Limestone and Morgan counties. Provides qualified blind individuals with job training and employment opportunities through the management and operation of small businesses.
Hilary Claybourne
Center Director/Senior Advisor
225 Church St. NW, Suite 319
Huntsville / Madison County Chamber of Commerce
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone: (256) 824-6422
Email: hilary.claybourne@uah.edu
The Alabama SBDC at UAH provides assistance to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. The center provides business management counseling, startup counseling, training/workshops, and a resource library.
Perry Shields
Director
Wallace State Community College
801 Main Street Northwest
Hanceville, AL 35077
Phone: (256) 352-8324
Fax: (256) 352-8123
Email: pshields@atn.org
ATN Mission: ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
Nic Loyd
Director
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
301 Sparkman Drive, Shelby Center fo Technology – Suite 129
Huntsville, AL 35899
Phone: (256) 824-LEAN (5326)
Fax: (256) 824-6970
Email: nicholas.loyd@uah.edu
ATN Mission: ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
Ronny Kisor
Director
Northeast Alabama Community College
138 Alabama Highway 35
Rainsville, AL 35986
Phone: (256) 638-4418, ext. 358
Fax: (256) 638-2167
Email: rkisor@atn.org
ATN Mission: ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
John Joseph IV
Executive Director/CEO
1629 Fourth Ave S.E.
Decatur , AL 35601
Phone: (256) 686-2999
Fax: (256) 686-2988
The primary purpose of the E-Center is to encourage, enthuse and empower new and small businesses as tenants and non-tenants of the E-Center facility and to ensure successful start-up and continued growth.
Allison Rhen
President
P. O. Box 5425
Huntsville, AL 35814
Email: arhen@hasbat.org
(HASBAT) is a nonprofit organization founded to increase business opportunities for high-technology small businesses in the Huntsville area. We serve as a beacon on the latest business opportunities, developments, and legislation within the federal govt.
Ashley Engles-Ross
Small Business Manager
225 Church Street
Post Office Box 408
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone: (256) 535-2000
Fax: (256) 535-2015
Email: Aengles-ross@hsvchamber.org
The Chamber’s Small Business programs are carefully designed to provide assistance, information, networking opportunities and educational opportunities for growing and sustaining small businesses.
Tom Phelps
Managing Attorney
2409 Commerce Court SW
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone: (256) 536-9645
Fax: (256) 767-2212
Counties Served: Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan
Robby Cantrell
Executive Director
216 Jackson Street S.E.
P. O. Box C
Decatur , AL 35601
Phone: (256) 355-4515
Fax: (256) 351-1380
Email: rcantrell@narcog.org
NARCOG’s mission is reflected by the dedication statement on the plaque at the front of its central headquarters building at 216 Jackson Street NE in Decatur, Alabama. The statement reads:
“Dedicated to Improving the Quality of Life for the Citizens of Cullman, Lawrence and Morgan Counties.”
The North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments, or NARCOG, is your local elected officials working together to make your community a better place to live, to work, to play, and to do business. For over forty years, NARCOG has been serving the three county region of Cullman, Lawrence, and Morgan counties. The people at NARCOG are continuously searching for new ways to positively impact the quality of life for individuals and the vibrancy and livability of communities within the region.
Lisa Davis Mays
President
Phone: 256-428-8190
Email: lisa.mays@catalystcenter.org
515 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville , AL 35816
The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship serves as a driver for economic growth and job creation in Huntsville and surrounding areas by providing support for entrepreneurs and business owners in every stage of growth.
Michelle G. Jordan
Executive Director
(Temporary Address)
7037 Old Madison Pike
Suite 450
Huntsville, AL 35806
Phone: (256) 830-0818
Fax: (256) 830-0843
The governments of five northeast Alabama counties, DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Marshall, and the municipalities located in those counties make up TARCOG. The council’s membership is made up of representatives from the counties and municipalities.
TARCOG operates a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) that helps local businesses finance expansions or obtain start-up capital The RLF is administered at the regional level and local businesses from Madison; Limestone; Marshall; Jackson; and DeKalb counties with 100 or fewer employees are eligible. Loan amounts are generally $25,000 – $200,000 (although exceptions can be made) and there is a job creation (or retention) requirement. Please click here for more information on RLF program.
Tom Todt
District Director
2 North Twentieth Street; Suite 325
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 290-7101
Fax: (205) 731-0170
Email: thomas.todt@sba.gov
Free counseling, advice and information on starting and/or expanding a business is available through a network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), the Service Corps of Retired Executives Association (SCORE), and the Women’s Business Centers.
Ms. Mazah Grimes
Procurement Advisor
700 Pelham Road North
Merrill Hall
Jacksonville, AL 36265
Phone: (256) 782-5271
Email: atac@auburn.edu
The APEX Accelerator at JSU provides a wide range of services including classes and seminars, individual counseling and easy access to bid opportunities, contract specifications, procurement histories, and other information necessary to compete for government contracts.
Greg Rowe
Business Enterprise Representative
VRS District Office – Talladega
#4 Medical Office Park
Talladega, AL 35160
Phone: (256) 362-1300
Fax: (256) 362-6387
Serves St. Clair and Talladega counties. Provides qualified blind individuals with job training and employment opportunities through the management and operation of small businesses.
Mr. Ken Grissom
700 Pelham Road North
Room 114 Merrill Hall
Jacksonville, AL 36265
Phone: (256) 782-5342
Email: kgrissom@jsu.edu
The SBDC at JSU provides its complete range of services to a seven-county area of Northeast Alabama (Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, St. Clair, and Talladega). The primary mission is to assist area current and prospective small business owners.
Gregg Bennett
Director
Gadsden State Community College
401 Korner Street
Gadsden, AL 35903
Phone: (256) 549-8162
Fax: (256) 547-5790
Email: gbennett@atn.org
ATN Mission: ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
Lori Sokol
Executive Director
1130 Quintard Ave., Suite 300
P.O. Box 2186
Anniston, AL 36201
Phone: (800) 239-6741 or (256) 237-6741
Fax: (256) 237-6763
Email: lori.sokol@earpdc.org
Shane Ellison
Chief Administrative Officer
800 Forrest Avenue, Suite 113
Gadsden, AL 35901
Phone: 256-549-5495
Email: sellison@etowahcounty.org
Mr. Ken Grissom
Procurement Specialist
700 Pelham Road North
Room 114 Merrill Hall
Jacksonville, AL 36265
Phone: (256) 782-5342
Fax: (256) 782-5179
Email: kgrissom@jsu.edu
The JSU PTAC provides a wide range of services including classes and seminars, individual counseling and easy access to bid opportunities, contract specifications, procurement histories, and other information necessary to compete for govt. contracts.
2 20th St. N.
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (251) 385-6667
Charles Ball
Executive Director
2 Twentieth Street North; Suite 1200
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 251-8139
Email: cball@rpcgb.org
The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) provides planning services, economic development services and multiple initiatives for six counties and 84 communities throughout central Alabama.
The Commission works through a consultation process with local governments, citizens, non-profits and the private sector in Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby and Walker counties. It is through this process that opportunities and cost effective solutions are identified to assure physical and economic growth for everyone.
Allen Bowen
Business Programs/ Acting Program Director
Sterling Centre Ofc Bldg
4121 Carmichael Rd., Suite 601
Montgomery, AL 36106-3683
Phone: (334) 279-3623
Fax: (334) 279-3459
Email: allen.bowen@al.usda.gov
Guaranteed Loans, Direct Loans and Grants are available through USDA Rural Development. Funds are available in the form of guaranteed loans through a local lender, and direct loans and grants directly from the U.S. Treasury.
Tory Shumpert
Procurement Advisor
1500 1st Avenue N. – (Innovation Depot)
1500 1st Avenue N.
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 348-1687
Email: apexal@ua.edu
Our procurement specialists use innovative technology and sound business practices to assist Alabama businesses in obtaining local, state and federal government contracts.
Note: (Walk-ins welcome, but if you call first we can match you with the best counselor for your needs.)
Gaynelle Adams Jackson
President
P. O. Box 1882
Birmingham, AL 35261
Fax: (205) 856-3776
Email: gjackson@microenterprisealabama.org
Alabama MicroEnterprise Network (AMEN)is a 501(c)(3) organization that speaks with one voice to serve, educate and empower the microenterprise service providers in Alabama and the entrepreneurs they represent. AMEN is a member organization comprised of people and organizations that advocate for and support the growth and development of Alabama’s microenterprise community.
Lavada Varner
Center Director
Jefferson State Community College
2601 Carson Road, JSMC
Birmingham, AL 35215-3098
Phone: 205-616-9766
Fax: 205-856-8014
Email: lvarner@atn.org
ATN Mission: ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
Devron Veasley, MBA
Director
1020 9th Avenue S.W.
Bessemer, AL 35022
Phone: (205) 481-2000
Fax: (205) 481-2100
Email: bessemerincubator@yahoo.com
The Bessemer Business Incubation System (BBIS) is a full service business development organization providing space and services to those businesses participating in the service, light industrial/man-ufacturing and information technology industries.
Victor M. Brown
Vice President – Minority Business and Small Business Development
505 20th Street North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 241-8109
Fax: (205) 324-2560
Email: vbrown@birminghambusinessalliance.com
Over 80% of the BBA’s membership is comprised of small businesses. Small business development is vital to the economic prosperity and overall success of our region. The BBA strongly supports and values small business initiatives by providing councils, committees, networking events, educational and training seminars and valuable, relevant community data for BBA investors.
Robert Dickerson, Jr.
Executive Director
1500 1st Avenue North (Innovation Depot)
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 250-6380
Fax: (205) 250-6384
Email: info@bbrc.biz
The Birmingham Business Resource Center (BBRC) is a unique, 501(c)4 Small Business Development Agency that serves as a “One Stop Shop” for loans as well as management and technical assistance for small business enterprises.
The BBRC Strives to Educate Business Owners by Providing the Following:
- One-on-One business counseling
- Workshops on relevant topics including but not limited to developing strategic business plans an understanding how to obtain financing and increasing familiarity with local lenders
- Access to capital and loan pre-qualification
- Access to corporate supplier diversity programs and other market opportunities
- SBA 504 loans
- SBA Community Advantage loans
Pamela Harris
Procurement Specialist
1500 1st Avenue N. – (Innovation Depot)
1500 1st Avenue N.
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 348-1687
Email: ptac@ua.edu
Our procurement specialists use innovative technology and sound business practices to assist Alabama businesses in obtaining local, state and federal government contracts.
**Note**: (Walk-ins welcome, but if you call first we can match you with the best counselor for your needs.)
Emily Moore
Business Advisor
1500 1st Avenue N. – (Innovation Depot)
1500 1st Ave North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 348-1582
Email: ASBDC@UA.EDU
The Alabama SBDC Network provides no-cost confidential business counseling at 10 locations throughout the state, including a convenient location at the Innovation Depot on 1st Avenue North, in Birmingham’s Entrepreneurial District.
The Alabama SBDC Network specializes in one-on-one business counseling and educational training for small businesses. Programs of assistance are developed in response to small business needs and growth opportunities for expansion of the state’s economy.
Walk-ins are welcome, but to make sure that you’re able to meet with the best counselor for your business or industry, we suggest that you call for an appointment.
Nan Baldwin
President and CEO
3000 Riverchase Galleria
Suite 375
Hoover, AL 35244
Phone: (205) 988-5672
Fax: (205) 988-8383
Email: nan@hooverchamber.org
By providing networking and training opportunities, the Chamber has become a cohesive organization of some of the most prominent and successful business leaders in the area. We provide our members with the latest news, press releases, event calendar etc.
Brooke Gillis
CEO
1500 First Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 250-8000
Fax: (205) 250-8013
Email: info@innovationdepot.org
Innovation Depot combines the expertise of business incubation professionals with a next-generation facility offering you the space and equipment you need to take your business from concept to reality.
Dr. Frederick L. Hamilton
Director
716 Richard Arrington Jr., Blvd North
Suite A-340
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 325-5761
Fax: (205) 325-5095
Email: webmaster@jcc.co.jefferson.al.us
The Economic Development Loan Program provides loans through several programs ranging from short-term construction financing, infrastructure loans and GAP financing to long-term financing loan guarantees. All loans are dependent upon the creation of jobs.
David Fleming
President & CEO
5529 1st Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35212
Phone: (205) 595-0562
Fax: (205) 595-0565
Email: dfleming@revbirmingham.org
Need help with your small business?
Innovative, determined and diverse entrepreneurs are essential to creating and sustaining vibrant commercial districts. REV’s Business Growth team is ready to help with knowledge and resources you need to start or expand your business. Our team offers workshops, one-on-one business consulting and real estate assistance.
Alvin-O Williams
President & CEO
4715 Alton Court
Birmingham, AL 35210
Fax: (205) 957-2114
Email: awilliams@srmsdc.org
The Southern Region Minority Supplier Development Council (SRMSDC) provides both advocacy and business development services to certified Asian-American, Native-American, Hispanic-American and African-American owned business enterprises. We specialize in facilitating new and existing sourcing opportunities from our corporate members to our certified minority owned businesses.
SRMSDC provides the only nationally recognized ethnic minority business certification (MBE) in the States of Louisiana, Alabama Arkansas and Mississippi. SRMSDC connects certified MBEs with corporate members representing many of America’s largest publicly and privately owned companies. The MBE certification is the designation that Corporate America uses to track direct and indirect spend with businesses owned and controlled by ethnic minority owned suppliers.
1500 First Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 250-8000
Fax: (205) 250-6397
Email: info@techbirmingham.com
Networking, reference materials and advocacy.
Cynthia Matlock
Assistant Director
401 Campbell Hall
1300 University Boulevard
Birmingham, AL 35294
Phone: (205) 934-8273
Fax: (205) 934-1650
Email: cmatlock@uab.edu
The Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Supportive Services Program has the mission of providing technical and management assistance to disadvantaged business owners and women business entrepreneurs (WBE) interested in doing business with ALDOT.
Lindsay S. Frey
Program Manager
The University of Alabama
621 Greensboro Ave
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 348-1687
Email: apexal@ua.edu
Michael Brooks
Director
621 Greensboro Ave
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 348-1582
Email: ASBDC@UA.edu
The Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) fundamental mission is to deliver quality assistance and information to the region’s small businesses in an efficient and timely manner.
The Alabama Small Business Development Center network is a statewide, inter-institutional program to enhance economic growth in Alabama by providing management and technical assistance to small businesses. Certified business counselors are available in 10 Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) located at our member university partners across the state.
Dan Johnson
Director
Wallace Community College
3000 Earl Goodwin Parkway
Selma, AL 36702
Phone: (334) 876-9413
Fax: (334) 876-9411
Email: djohnson@atn.org
ATN Mission: ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
Alan Hill
Executive Director
Alabama Productivity Center – The University of Alabama
P.O. Box 870318
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0318
Phone: 205-222-7111
Email: ahill@cba.ua.edu
ATN Mission: ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
Brian Hillson
Industrial Development Coordinator
157 SW Davidson Dr., Centreville, AL. 35042
Centreville, AL 35042
Phone: (205) 926-5222
Email: bibbchamber@gmail.com
Kyle South
President and CEO
2201 Jack Warner Blvd.; Building C
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: (205) 391-0562
Fax: (205) 391-0565
Email: kyle@westalabamachamber.com
The EDGE Entrepreneurship Center
The mission of the The EDGE is to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to help startups and to drive growth of their businesses. The EDGE supports both new and established firms by providing space and learning opportunities, all designed to help build and grow businesses, innovation, and jobs.
Started in 2012 and located in a new 26,000 square-foot facility, The EDGE is an incubator and accelerator that focuses on growing and supporting entrepreneurs. It is located at 2627 10th Avenue, Tuscaloosa, about 1.5 miles from The University of Alabama campus.
The EDGE features 20 offices, 100 workstations and several conference rooms, all offered to established entrepreneurs, people seeking to build their businesses, and individuals who need working and networking space.
Cedric Hudson
Chairman
30 Pitts Street
Uniontown, AL 36786
Phone: (334) 410-0519
Email: commissionerhudson@gmail.com
Donald Bennett
Sheryl Smedley
Executive Director
912 Selma Avenue
Selma, AL 36701
Phone: (334) 875-7241 or (800) 45-SELMA
Fax: (334) 875-7142
Email: info@SelmaAlabama.com
“As an advocate for all businesses, small and large, the Chamber invites you to join our membership team of enthusiastic community leaders working together to showcase Selma and Dallas County’s local businesses, attractions, and quality of life.” – Executive Director, Sheryl Smedley
The Selma & Dallas County Chamber of Commerce is one of the University of Alabama AERN (Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network) sites in the state of Alabama. Each AERN site provides a wealth of business research resources.
Ken Green
Business Enterprise Representative
VRS District Office – Montgomery
2129 East South Boulevard
Montgomery, AL 36116
Phone: (334) 281-8780
Fax: (334) 281-1388
Service area: Chambers, Lee, Macon and Russell counties. Provides qualified blind individuals with job training and employment opportunities through the management and operation of small businesses.
Henry B. Burdg, CMC, EDFP, PBA
Director – Auburn Technical Assistance Center (ATAC) Harbert College of Business
570 Devall Drive
Suite 304 – Auburn Research Park
Auburn, AL 36832-6948
Phone: (334) 844-4659
Fax: (334) 844-5989
Email: atac@auburn.edu
Have an idea for a product or business but don’t know where to start? Are you needing to validate your idea to reduce risk before taking the next big step? Create, Communicate, and Commercialize your meaningfully unique ideas through systematic innovation process assistance from the Auburn Technical Assistance Center (ATAC).
ATAC can help coach you through a process to determine how likely your idea is to succeed and what could prevent the idea from moving forward. As an arm of the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business at Auburn University and an Economic Development Administration University Center, ATAC provides idea creation, business start-up technical assistance, and consultation for entrepreneurs and existing small businesses.
ATAC provides hands-on mentoring, coaching, and facilitating to identify and refine your product/service offering, customers/markets, and improve business processes. ATAC assists individuals and businesses in developing and implementing a Learning Plan to move through rapid cycles of learning to define the customer and their problems, develop your value proposition, and a product or service that meets those needs. ATAC will guide you through a fail-fast/fail-cheap cycle to dissolve the start-up risk with small steps so as discover early “death threats” to your business idea/strategy.
Key Assistance Programs
• Product, Service, and Business Model Innovation
• Business Plan Development/Review
• Market Feasibility and Customer Survey Research
• Website Development and Optimization
• Marketing Strategy
• Product Design/Branding
• Creation of Pro Forma Financial Statements
Tyson Howard
Executive Director
5900 Carmichael Place
Montgomery, AL 36117
Phone: (334) 244-6903
Fax: (334) 270-0038
Email: tyson.howard@adss.alabama.gov
SCADC provides technical assistance to local governments in order to address essential community development needs in such areas as water and sewer services, transportation infrastructure, storm water drainage, housing rehabilitation, and recreation through various project initiatives.
The South Central Alabama Development Commission’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program is a locally controlled source of capital used to provide gap financing to start-up and expanding businesses in Bullock, Butler, Crenshaw, Lowndes, Macon, and Pike counties. The primary goal of the program is to stimulate the economy through the creation of local jobs. The RLF targets small to medium-sized businesses, which are financially sound but are unable to secure adequate financing for start-up or expansion projects. Loans can be made for financing land, buildings, equipment, and working capital. The RLF was not established to compete with private lending institutions but to complement commercial lending programs by providing necessary “gap finance” once the bank and owner have reached their financial limits.
Marion Mark
Business Enterprise Representative
VRS District Office – Mobile
2419 Gordon Smith Drive
Mobile, AL 36617
Phone: (251) 479-8611
Fax: (251) 478-2197
Serves Choctaw and Clarke Counties. Provides qualified blind individuals with job training and employment opportunities through the management and operation of small businesses.
Nancy Barnes
Business Enterprise Representative
VRS District Office – Tuscaloosa
1305 37th Street, East
Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-1610
Phone: (205) 554-1300
Fax: (205) 554-1369
Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker and Winston counties. Provides qualified blind individuals with job training and employment opportunities through the management and operation of small businesses.
Donald Mills
Director
Wallace Hall, Room 202
UWA Station 21
Livingston, AL 35470
Phone: (205) 652-3665
Email: dmills@uwa.edu
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers the following services: counseling, information, education. The Center also has the capability to tailor training programs and research to the specific needs of a business.
DeeAnn Campbell
Chief Industrial Development Officer
305 S Mulberry Ave
Butler, AL 36904
Phone: (205) 459-3459
Email: choctawchamber@tds.net
Mark Blankenship
Mayor of Ozark
275 North Union Avenue
Ozark, AL 36360
Phone: (334) 774-5393
Fax: (334) 445-0517
Email: mayor@ozarkal.gov
John Clyde Riggs
ATRC Executive Director
107 Broad Street
Camden, AL 36726
Phone: (334) 682-4234
Email: jcriggs50@gmail.com
Laura Agee
Director (in training for econ. dev. w/JCR)
Phone: 334-682-4929
Email: la.agee02@gmail.com
Cordero Young
Procurement Advisor
915 South Jackson Street
Montgomery, AL 36104-3812
Phone: (334) 229-4138
A vast amount of information and counseling in the area of government contracting opportunities is available at the Alabama SBDC at ASU. Through government and corporate procurement opportunities, small companies can grow.
Andrea Rogers Mosley
Director
915 South Jackson Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 229-4138
The Alabama State University Small Business Development Center in the College of Business Administration mission is to provide technical and management assistance to small businesses and prospective business owners by offering one-on-one business counseling and educational training to small businesses targeted for increasing employment, fostering growth and improving financial stability.
Thomas Taylor
Procurement Counselor
915 South Jackson Street
Montgomery, AL 36104-3812
Phone: (334) 229-4848
Fax: (334) 229-4129
Email: ttaylor@alasu.edu
A vast amount of information and counseling in the area of government contracting opportunities is available at the ASU SBDC. Through government and corporate procurement opportunities, small companies can grow.
Greg Clark
Executive Director
430 South Court Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 262-4300
Fax: (334) 262-6976
Email: gclark@carpdc.com
Our Mission
It is our steadfast mission to provide exemplary service to the local governments and citizens of Autauga, Elmore, and Montgomery Counties. We execute this mission through community and economic development programs and projects; extensive local, state, and federal partnerships; and various engagement and funding opportunities.
Our Vision
CARPDC seeks to become the benchmark organization for advancing the growth of Central Alabama by enhancing access to opportunities of optimal interest to and growth of the counties, cities, and citizens of this Region.
Our Values
As an organization of outreach and service to the Region, we stand on the values of professionalism, integrity, coalition building, adaptability, and reliability.
Caleb Goodwyn
Chief Economic Development Officer
600 S. Court Street
Montgomery, AL 36101
Phone: 334-240-9420
Cell: 334-372-7603
Email: cgoodwyn@montgomerychamber.com
The Montgomery Chamber’s Economic Development Division was named a Top 20 Economic Development Organization in the U.S. by Site Selection Magazine in 2020 and 2021.
Strategically located at the intersection of Interstate 65 and Interstate 85, Montgomery is the capital city of Alabama and the second largest city in the state. The metropolitan area, comprised of Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes and Montgomery counties, has a population of more than 374,000.
A region of vast economic diversity, Montgomery is home to state and regional governments, a major military installation, the USAF Air University, an extensive service industry, wholesale and retail trade, Civil War and Civil Rights tourism, and an industrial base that includes Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama — Hyundai’s first manufacturing plant in the United States. This unique diversity provides a well-balanced economic environment. According to Moody’s Economy, Montgomery’s Cost of Doing Business is 87% of the national average and Cost of Living is 95% of the national average.
The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce has an experienced, professional Corporate Development Team.
They are the key players in bringing new industry to the area including the major economic game-changer Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.
They also work closely with existing industry to enable their growth and success in Montgomery and the RIver Region.
Betsy Baker
Procurement Advisor
Troy, AL 36081
Phone: (205) 348-1687
The Alabama SBDC at Troy University provides no cost advising to help new entrepreneurs evaluate their business ideas and existing businesses remain competitive in today’s dynamic, global marketplace. The SBDC offers training and financing assistance.
Juliana Bolivar
Director
63 South Court Square
Troy, AL 36081
Phone: (334) 808-6793
Email: jbolivar@troy.edu
The Alabama SBDC at Troy University provides no cost advising to help new entrepreneurs evaluate their business ideas and existing businesses remain competitive in today’s dynamic, global marketplace. The SBDC offers training and financing assistance.
Amy Brabham
Director
Wallace Community College – Sparks Campus
3223 South Eufaula Ave.
Eufaula, AL 36027
Phone: (334) 687-9405
Fax: (334) 687-9967
Email: abrabham@atn.org
ATN Mission: ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
John Thompson
City Clerk
336 Montgomery Street
P. O. Box 429
Andalusia, AL 36420
Phone: (334) 222-3312; Ext. 1142
Fax: (334) 222-5114
Email: John.Thompson@cityofandalusia.com
The City of Andalusia Incubator assists in business start-ups by providing them with necessary support and financial and technical services.
Rick Clifton
President & CEO
21754 Bill Benton Lane
Andalusia, AL 36421
Phone: (334) 222-7040
Fax: (334) 222-0897
Email: rick.clifton@covingtoncountyedc.com
The Small Business Development Incubator assist home grown businesses in Covington County. As a integral part of the Covington County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC), it assists in all aspects of the business start-up process.
Jesse Quillen
Executive Director
102 Commerce Drive
Yancey Parker Industrial Park
Enterprise, AL 36330
Phone: (334) 393-4769
Fax: (334) 393-8127
Email: jquillen@wiregrassedc.com
The 14,500 sq.ft. business incubator is part of a continual effort to help new and expanding business develop and grow in the region.
James Hartnett
Executive Director
545 West Main Street
Suite 100
Dothan, AL 36301
Phone: (334) 836-0217 ext 112
Fax: (334) 836-0219
Email: jhartnett@salbiacenter.org
The Mixson Business Center provides incubator office space, in a professional setting, for start-up businesses. Provided amenities include: high-speed internet, phone system, meeting areas, copying machine, fax, 24-Hour access, and receptionist.
Lisa Dauster
Business Incubator Manager
3269 Highway 231 South
Ozark, AL 36360
Phone: (334) 774-4952
Fax: (334) 774-4539
Email: info@odedc.com
The Ozark Technology Center’s mission is to provide an environment that is conducive to the success and growth of new and expanding businesses, create regional job opportunities and expand the regional economy.
Bethany Allen
President
100 Industrial Blvd.
P.O. Box 249
Troy, AL 36081-0249
Phone: (334) 566-2294
Email: bethany@pikecoc.com
The mission of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce is to serve as a leader and catalyst in planning, promoting, and supporting programs and services that foster a favorable business climate.
Tedd Clem
President
100 Industrial Boulevard
Troy, AL 36081
Phone: (334) 670-2274
Email: tclem@pikecountyedc.net
Kim Sasser
Email: ksasser@pikecountyedc.net
Scott Farmer
Executive Director
Post Office Box 1406
Dothan, AL 36302
Phone: (334) 794-4093
Fax: (334) 794-3288
Email: sfarmer@searpdc.org
Rachel Armstrong
Economic Development Specialist
Email: rarmstrong@searpdc.org
Judy Callin
Procurement Specialist
100 Industrial Blvd.
Troy, AL 36081
Phone: (334) 674-2425
Fax: (334) 670-3636
Email: jcallin@troy.edu
The PTAC Program provided through the TROY SBDC offers free consulting services, technical assistance, and bid information to Southeast Alabama businesses who are interested in obtaining contracts with local, state and federal government agencies.
Gerald Dunlop
Procurement Advisor
Phone: (205) 348-1687
Serving Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Conecuh, Monroe, Clarke, Choctaw, and Washington Counties.
Melvin Washington
Director
358 St Louis St
Mobile, AL 36602
Phone: (877) 825-7232
Email: mel.washington@ua.edu
The Mission of the Alabama SBDC: South Alabama is to provide educational assistance to strengthen small business management in our six-county area, thereby contributing to the growth of local, state and national economies.
Harry Cecil
Business Development Director
Jefferson Davis Community College
205 College Drive
Brewton, AL 36427
Phone: (251) 809-1678
Fax: (251) 809-1677
Email: hccecil@atn.org
ATN Mission: ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
Byron Dunn
Director
1110 Montlimar Drive
Suite 200
Mobile, AL 36609
Phone: (251) 660-1625, ext 101
Fax: (251) 660-6048
Email: bdunn@atn.org
ATN Mission: ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
John Clyde Riggs
Executive Director
107 Broad Street
Camden, AL 36726
Phone: (334) 682-4234
Fax: (334) 682-4205
Email: jcriggs50@gmail.com
Rosalyn Sales
Executive Director of Economic Development
P. O. Box 608
Jackson, AL 36545
Phone: (251) 246-2428
Email: rsales@cmcgas.com
Matthew McKinley
CFO / Economic Development
Phone: (251) 709-5060
Email: mmckinley@cmcgas.com
Rick Miller
Executive Director
36 N. Section St.
Fairhope, AL 36532
Phone: (251) 270-2670
Email: rmiller@hatchfairhope.com
Todd Greer
Executive Director
358 St. Louis St.
Mobile, AL 36602
Phone: (804) 937-3221
Email: todd@innovation-portal.com
Innovation PortAL is an entrepreneurial and innovation center designed to encourage the successful development of growing businesses on the Gulf Coast through entrepreneurial programming, industry collaboration and community development services.
David Rodgers, Jr.
Vice President of Economic Development
451 Government St
Mobile, AL 36602
Phone: (251) 431-8657
Fax: (251) 421-8608
Email: drodgers@mobilechamber.com
Pamela Ware
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
61 St. Joseph Street
Suite 1500
Mobile, AL 36601
Phone: (251) 432-0909 ext. 140
Fax: (251) 432-1004
Email: pware@mobile-works.org
Our mission at Mobile Works is to help Mobile County businesses create, retain and maintain jobs that ensure sustained economic growth. Our goal is to give local businesses the means to grow, become more productive and compete effectively.
John F. (Rickey) Rhodes
Executive Director
110 Beauregard Street
P.O. Box 1665
Mobile, AL 36633
Phone: (251) 433-6541
Fax: (251) 433-6009
Email: rrhodes@sarpc.org
Michael Pierce
Small Business Development Director
1655 Eagle Drive
Mobile, AL 36605
Phone: (251) 434-2200
Fax: (251) 470-0582
The incubator has office space available for five small start-up businesses or companies that have been in business for less than three years.
Brent McMahan
Senior Area Manager
1141 Montlimar Drive; Suite 1007
Mobile, AL 36609
Phone: 251-544-7401
Fax: (202)-741-7090
Email: brent.mcmahan@sba.gov
Free counseling, advice and information on starting and/or expanding a business is available through a network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), the Service Corps of Retired Executives Association (SCORE), and the Women’s Business Centers.
Karen Gray
Executive Director
413 Azalea Road, Suite F
Mobile, AL 36507
Phone: (251) 210-8908
Fax: (251) 660-8854
Email: Karen@wbaofal.org
The mission of the Women’s Business Alliance is the economic empowerment of women by assisting them to start and grow successful small businesses.
The Women’s Business Alliance reaches out to small business owners and entrepreneurs in Mobile, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Monroe and Washington counties, being THE point of contact for those business owners in the lower south Alabama region. Assistance and training in business planning and development, marketing assistance and lending preparation is offered. Networking opportunities are available for both seasoned and startup businesses.