Resources for Businesses

 

As a part of the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce's service to small and entrepreneurial businesses, the following list of web sites provides key information and data needed for businesses to relocate and expand in the Craven County area. The resources and contacts listed offer valuable support to entrepreneurs wishing to turn dreams into profitable companies. Please be advised this list provides general information and is not intended as legal advice.

 

www.ncmbc.us/ - Funded in 2004 by the North Carolina General Assembly and opened in 2005, the North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) operates under the supervision of Fayetteville Technical Community College and has offices at eleven Community Colleges across the state.   The mission of the Military Business Center is to leverage military and other federal business opportunities for economic development and quality of life in North Carolina. 

 

www.matchforce.org/ - NCMBC created this web site to assist local businesses and individuals to match them with government contracts and individuals interested in finding area jobs.

 

www.ecwdb.org/ - Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board, Inc. specializes in assisting employers in finding trained job applicants, and assisting job seekers to find the right jobs matching their qualifications.  Follow this link to their Links and Resources page for a comprehensive listing of links to private sector, nonprofit human resources associations, nonprofit professional associations, and national, state, and local web sites involved in workforce development issues.

 

www.sba.gov –The U.S. Small Business Administration provides materials and support for the small business owner on taxes and other issues. The SBA also offers information on lending institutions in North Carolina. The SBA can be reached at (800) 827-5722.  The site for the US Small Business Administration offers on-line free classes, newsletters, resources, and chats. 

 

www.reni.net/guides/pdf/english/northcarolina.pdf - North Carolina Business Resource Guide prepared by US SBA (available through the SBA website listed above).

 

www.uschamber.com – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. It includes hundreds of associations, thousands of local chambers, and 106 American Chambers of Commerce in 94 countries.  Note:  Certain access requires membership.

 

www.2chambers.com  -   Find state and local Chambers of Commerce, Convention Centers, Visitor Bureaus, and Tourist Boards in the United States providing U.S. business, relocation, visitor, and tourist attraction information.  Useful for information on new areas in which you may wish to expand or do business.

 

www.btobonline – Website regarding coverage of the b-to-b industry.  Its target is large and small companies.

 

www.ncchamber.net – A non-partisan business advocacy organization working in the legislative, regulatory, and political arenas to proactively drive positive change to ensure that North Carolina is a leading place in the world to do business. Note:  Certain access requires membership. NC Chamber may be reached at (919) 836-1400.

 

www.nccommerce.com – North Carolina Department of Commerce site.  Resources include information for NC businesses and workforce development.  Included on this web site is data on various items of interest to businesses in NC.  The link for information on opening your business in North Carolina is: http://www.nccommerce.com/en/BusinessServices/LocateYourBusiness/.  The NC Commerce Department also has a Business ServiCenter toll free number for business owners to get one-on-one phone consultations at 800-228-8443. 

 

www.ncimed.com – The site for the NC Institute of Minority Economic Development. This site has a division known as the Women’s Business Center of North Carolina and includes information on developing minority-owned businesses and on the minority buying power and economic impact in NC.  NCIMED may be reached at (919) 956-8889.

 

http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/rds/sbtdc/ - Small Business and Technology Development Center at Eastern Carolina University.  They provide management and technical assistance for small businesses. SBTDC at ECU may be contacted at (252) 737-1385. 

 

www.wtcnc.org – The World Trade Center of North Carolina is a business-led and business-funded program of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership that promotes the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina's global competitiveness. Set up for the RTP region, but has resources available to anyone interested in importing, exporting, and doing business in other countries, including useful tools like world clocks, time zone converters, and various references.  WTC of NC may be reached at (919) 281-2742.

 

www.scorenewbern.org - The local chapter of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) provides free one-on-one confidential counseling to new and existing business owners in planning and management, including financing, writing a business plan, and feasibility studies. SCORE may be reached at (252) 633-6688.

 

www.nrda.org/ - The Neuse River Development Authority, part of the Eastern Carolina Council of Governments, offers information and advice on financing a new business, referrals for management issues, and technical assistance to business owners. NRDA may be reached at (252) 638-6724.

 

www.cravencc.edu/business/smallbusiness.cfm - Craven Community College offers workshops, seminars, and classes for new and existing business owners in all facets of business development, management, business law, and marketing through its Small Business Center. The center may be reached at (252) 638-7353.

 

www.cravenedc.com/ - The Craven County Economic Development Commission works on manufacturing and business development in the area. The EDC manages the Craven County Industrial Park and offers an incubator facility with office and manufacturing space.   Contact Jim Davis, Executive Director of the Craven County Economic Development Commission at (252) 633-5300.

 

www.downtownnewbern.com - Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation coordinates the downtown revitalization effort providing information/data on marketing, business recruitment, long-range plans, and projects. The nonprofit organization also produces MUM FEST, a major festival held the second full weekend in October.  For more information on MUM FEST, visit www.mumfest.com.  Swiss Bear may be reached at (252) 638-5781.

 

www.downtownnewbern.blogspot.com - Information on what is happening downtown during "Dickens of a Christmas."