Statewide Resources
Chris Franklin
Public Relations and Marketing Specialist
500 Beacon Parkway West
Birmingham, AL 35209
Phone: (205) 943-4808
Fax: (205) 943-4813
Email: cfranklin@atn.org
ATN Mission: ATN provides the most innovative technical assistance and training to continually improve Alabama businesses and industries.
Devron Veasley, MBA
Chairman
1020 Ninth Avenue S.W.
Bessemer, AL 35022
Phone: (205) 481-2000
Fax: (205) 481-2100
Email: bessemerincubator@yahoo.com
Alabama’s small business incubators provide office space, in-house shared clerical and administrative services, loan programs and an entrepreneurial environment for businesses just starting. They also provide one-on-one business counseling and seminars.
Economic Development Partnership of Alabama Foundation
1320 1st Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: (205) 943-4700
Fax: (205) 943-4799
Email: launchpad@edpa.org
Alabama Launchpad is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to support and promote high-growth entrepreneurship and innovation in Alabama. The organization is a partnership among the state’s research universities and the business community.
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.
Jerry Mitchell
President/CEO
P. O. Box 550022
Birmingham, AL 35255
Phone: (205) 895-1157
Email: wehelp@alblackcc.org
D’Undray Peterson
Business Advisor
401 19th Street N.
Suite 104
Birmingham, AL 35020
Phone: 1-888-215-2373
Email: dpeterson@liftfund.com
We’re LiftFund, formerly known as Accion Texas Inc, and for over twenty years we’ve provided millions of dollars in small business loans to deserving entrepreneurs. We’re proud to say that LiftFund’s mission is to help the most vulnerable people in our society who are striving for a better life. They need access to capital, education and a support system to realize their potential and increase their chances for success. We provide those things.
Eleasa Stewart
Program Contact – Minority/Female Business Program
605 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. N.
Birmingham, AL 35203-2707
Phone: (800) 292-4005
Email: eleasa.stewart@energen.com
We are building upon our core values of diversity and inclusion to create a competitive advantage as we grow. Spire is committed to creating economic opportunities that reflect all the communities we serve.
Kim Carter Evans
Vice President / National Director of Corporate Communications
1927 First Avenue North; Suite 602
Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 715-2710
Fax: (205) 715-2711
Email: kevans@trufund.org
TruFund Financial Services, Inc. (TruFund) is a national not-for-profit organization with $50 million in assets under management. We seek to stimulate economic development in communities that are underserved by traditional banking institutions by providing affordable capital, hands-on business assistance, and innovative solutions to small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and real estate developers.
TruFund’s lending activities are designed to strengthen the capacity of faith-based and community organizations, community development corporations, small businesses, and large-scale development projects. TruFund works closely with community-based partners to develop and operate programs that address specific capital gaps within local markets, and seeks to obtain funding commitments from local financial institutions to serve local needs. Our products range along the continuum of credit from multi-million-dollar New Markets Tax Credits projects to microenterprise loans for new entrepreneurs.
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.
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
Peggy Anderson
State Coordinator of Business Relations
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
P. O. Box 1988
Homewood, AL 35219
Phone: (205) 290-4457
Fax: (205) 945-8517
Email: peggy.anderson@rehab.alabama.gov
Recruitment and disability management
Teresa Sands
Executive Director
1141 Montlimar Drive; Suite 2015
Mobile, AL 36609
Phone: 251-650-0826
Fax: 251-650-0827
Email: gmdc@ceebic.org
Certified Development Corporations that originates SBA 504 loans for fixed asset financing.
Greg Clark
President
5900 Carmichael Place
Montgomery, AL 36117
Phone: (334) 277-2221
Fax: (334) 277-3899
Email: info@alarc.org
The Alabama Association of Regional Councils is composed of twelve regions. Its mission is to expand and strengthen the capabilities of Regional Councils to serve local governments and the citizens of Alabama.
Steve Garrett
Director
649 Monroe Street
Montgomery, AL 36131
Phone: (334) 956-4026
Fax: (334) 353-8262
Email: Steve.Garrett@labor.alabama.gov
The Workers’ Compensation Division is responsible for the administration of the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Law to ensure proper payment of benefits to employees injured on the job and encourage safety in the work place.
Russell A. Kelly
Chief
P.O. Box 301463
Montgomery, AL 36130-1463
Phone: (334) 271-7715
Fax: (334) 271-7950
Email: permitsmail@adem.state.al.us
ADEM’s Permits & Services Division provides essential information and assistance that small businesses need to navigate through the state regulation and permit process.
Aubrey H. White III
Chief, General Services Branch, Permits & Services Division
1400 Coliseum Boulevard
Montgomery, AL 36110-2059
Phone: (334) 271-7711
Fax: (334) 271-7952
Email: ahw@adem.state.al.us
ADEM’s Ombudsman Office assists small businesses in complying with environmental rules and serves as a liaison between ADEM, small business, local governments and the general public to keep these groups informed of regulatory changes and opportunities.
Lynette Spraggins
Revenue Manager
4118 Gordon Persons Bldg.
50 North Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 242-1055
Fax: (334) 242-0814
Email: lynn.spraggins@revenue.alabama.gov
The Office of Taxpayer Advocacy has been established to provide an avenue of relief, to identify systemic problems, and to offer suggestions for improvement in procedures.
Ed Castile
Executive Director and Deputy Secretary of Commerce
One Technology Court
Montgomery, AL 36116
Phone: (334) 280-4400
Fax: (334) 613-3287
Email: ecastile@aidt.edu
AIDT is a state agency established to build a healthy state economy by recruiting and training a skilled workforce to attract new industries to the state and to expand existing industries.
As a division of the Alabama Department of Commerce, AIDT provides a full range of customized technical training programs that are offered at no cost to employers and to the trainees.
AIDT offers services including trainee recruitment and screening, safety assistance, industrial maintenance assessments, continuous improvement/process improvement assessments, and leadership training programs. Training is conducted by AIDT staff or contracted instructors and delivered through classrooms or 38 Mobile Training Units (MTUs) customized to meet specific company needs which can be set up directly on the employer’s site.
Elaine Swearengin, CPM
Director of Business Entities
770 Washington Avenue – Suite 580
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 242-7221
Email: Elaine.Swearengin@sos.alabama.gov
The Business Entity Division operates as a depository for records of domestic entities and foreign entities that have qualified to transact business in Alabama. The types of entities we serve include For-Profit Corporations, Non-Profit Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Limited Partnerships, Registered Limited Liability Partnerships, and Limited Liability Limited Partnerships.
Tanya Cooley
Cash Management Director
Alabama State Capitol
600 Dexter Avenue, Room S-106
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 242-7507
Fax: (334) 242-4242
Email: Tanya.cooley@treasury.alabama.gov
The Linked Deposit Program is a partnership between the Treasury and Alabama banks for the benefit of agricultural and small business operations, and to provide disaster relief funds when applicable.
Christine S. Cook
Chief Procurement Officer
RSA Union Building
100 N. Union Street, Suite 192
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 242-7250
Fax: (334) 242-4419
Email: Terri.Cole@purchasing.alabama.gov
To provide quality service through effective teamwork and communication with state agencies and vendors alike, in order to fulfill the purchasing needs of the State of Alabama in a professional, legal, responsive and timely manner.
Ms. Walter Carr
DBE Contract Manager
Alabama Department of Transportation
2720 Gunter Park Drive West
Montgomery, AL 36109
Phone: (334)242-6242
Email: carrw@dot.state.al.us
(DOT) has in effect a policy of helping small business owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including minorities and women, in participating in contracting opportunities created by DOT financial assistance programs.
Scott Stewart
Program Manager
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA)
401 Adams Avenue; Suite 524
Montgomery, AL 36103-5690
Phone: (334) 353-3966
Email: Scott.Stewart@adeca.alabama.gov
The office provides information on procurement and contracting opportunities with federal, state, county and city agencies and assist in meeting state procurement opportunities. OMBE also provides certification for minority and female owned businesses.
Eddie F. Postell
Manager
Alabama Center for Commerce
401 Adams Avenue; Suite 610
Montgomery, AL 36130-4106
Phone: (334) 242-0485
Fax: (334) 242-0415
Email: Eddie.Postell@commerce.alabama.gov
The Small Business Office of Advocacy fosters the growth of Alabama’s small operations by giving them a variety of assistance. The office provides information to businesses, and the needs and concerns of small-business owners are regularly addressed.
Mrs. Dana Moore
Executive Director
8132 Old Federal Road
Montgomery, AL 36117-8007
Phone: (334) 244-1801, Ext. 118 or (800) 499-3034
Fax: (334) 244-1421
Email: dnmoore@sdcinc.org
The Southern Development Council, Inc. (SDC) can assist you in obtaining the financing you need to start or expand your qualifying business.
Rosemary Elebash
State Director
7550 Halcyon Summit Drive
Suite 115
Montgomery, AL 36117
Phone: (334) 264-2261 or 1-800-NFIB-NOW
Fax: (334) 262-7451
Email: Rosemary.Elebash@NFIB.org
NFIB’s purpose is to impact public policy at the state and federal level and be a key business resource for small and independent business. Advocacy is a top priority for NFIB. NFIB provides timely information designed to help small businesses succeed.
Angie Winter-Sweatman
Vice President
3120 Frederick Road
Suite K
Opelika, AL 36801
Phone: (334) 275-9700
Fax: (334) 275-9704
Email: angie@asbc504.com
The Source for SBA 504 Lending. The program is designed to assist small to medium-sized companies that are considered fiscally healthy. In certain instances, the SBA 504 Loan Program may also be used to finance start-up businesses.
Grover Brown
Loan Officer (Alabama)
302 N. Barcleona Street
Pensacola, FL 32501
Phone: (850) 595-6234, ext. 203 or (888) 605-2505
Fax: (850) 595-6264
Email: gbrown@ceii-cdc.org
CEII offers loans to start-up and expanding business enterprises ranging from $2,500 to $150,000. Loan applications are available on line, or by calling our office. Applicants MUST provide all requested information. Contact a loan officer for more info.
Lindsay Frey
Program Manager
The University of Alabama, Office for Research & Economic Development
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0396
Phone: (205) 348-1687
Fax: (205) 348-6974
Email: apexal@ua.edu
The Alabama APEX Accelerator, formerly known as the Alabama Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), is a statewide program, serving Alabama for over 37 years in an effort to grow a capable and responsible government industrial base. APEX plays a critical role in helping a wide range of businesses enter and participate in the defense supply-chain. The program provides the education and training to ensure that all businesses become capable of participating in federal, state, and local government contracts.
Brian Davis
Director
The University of Alabama, Culverhouse College of Business
Box 870396
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0396
Phone: (205) 348-7621
Fax: (205) 348-6974
Email: Bdavis@aitc.ua.edu
The William R. Bennett Alabama International Trade Center, located at the University of Alabama, provides export research, training, and financing services to Alabama’s small business community.
William Cummins
Executive State Director
The University of Alabama, Culverhouse College of Business
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Phone: (205) 348-1582
Fax: (205) 348-6974
Email: ASBDC@ua.edu
Working with the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Alabama SBDC Network provides assistance with a variety of needs, including business planning, financing, exporting and importing, and government contract procurement.