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    • Live
      Live Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains, the Asheville area attracts newcomers for its astounding quality of life, low crime rate and welcoming entrepreneurial environment. Known for its culinary delights, history, architecture, natural settings and as a Mecca for adventure lovers, Asheville has something for everyone.
    • Work
      Work

      Whether you are just out of school or a veteran of the workforce, Western North Carolina offers outstanding opportunities. The quality of life and low unemployment rate found in the Asheville area draws top-talent from major cities throughout the nation. Professional, creative and technical specialists choose the Asheville area as their home.

    • Visit
      Visit Whether your ideal Asheville visit takes you gallery hopping on Broadway, antique shopping in Biltmore Village, trekking along the Appalachian Trail, or to a downtown show at a rock club named one of the top five in the country by Rolling Stone Magazine, the Asheville area has something guaranteed to delight every visitor. Don’t just take our word for it…experience it for yourself.
    • Community Events
      Community Events

      Check our community calendar for a list of upcoming events and happenings hosted by Chamber members.

    • Demographics
      Demographics

      The Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County’s research team serves as a central point of information for the latest regional data and resources.

    • Find A Business
      Find A Business

      Find online business listings of Chamber members. This user-friendly search makes this page worth bookmarking as your guide to Asheville area businesses.

  • Chamber
    • Membership
      Membership Ask almost any Chamber member why they are a member and they’ll tell you—in Asheville, it’s the most important way to meet people and grow your business. As North Carolina’s third largest Chamber, the Asheville Chamber includes more than 2,000 businesses, organizations and coalitions. Members know the value a membership provides. Find out how members find value with the Asheville Chamber.
    • Departments
      Departments

      The departments of the Asheville Chamber help fulfill the organization’s mission of increasing the region’s livability by advancing its economic vitality. Learn more about the work and roles of the departments that make up your Chamber.

    • Chamber Events
      Chamber Events

      Membership opens the door to a multitude of opportunities for making new contacts, getting exposure to new ideas and networking with our region’s foremost leaders during events hosted by the Asheville Chamber. Check out our calendar of events developed especially for members of the Asheville Chamber. Be sure to register online and check back often -- we update our calendar of events frequently!

    • Photos & Video
      Photos & Video Look at snapshots from Chamber events and view videos of Chamber programming and events.
    • Leadership
      Leadership Meet and connect with the leadership team that sets goals and leads the activities of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.
    • Young Professionals
      Young Professionals Young Professionals of Asheville (YPA) is a non-profit organization focused on connecting young professionals through community and social events. Get involved and learn more about opportunities for business networking, professional development, service through volunteering, leadership training and social events.
    • FAQs
      FAQs Do you have questions about the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce? Are you wondering where we are located, what we do, or how to find photos of the Asheville area? We’ve listed answers to our most frequently asked questions here.
    • E-News
      E-News

      Each Chamber E-News is filled with updates on events, programs, membership, and information from our members! Read past issues or sign up for the Chamber E-Newsletter.

    • Chamber Press Releases
      Chamber Press Releases

      Get the most recent Chamber news in our press release archive.

    • Find A Business
      Find A Business

      Find online business listings of Chamber members. This user-friendly search makes this page worth bookmarking as your guide to Asheville area businesses.

  • Home
    • Target Clusters
      Target Clusters The Asheville region has expertise in several dynamic talent driven industries. Local businesses, educational programs, and community leaders are working in collaboration to nurture and grow these targeted sectors.
    • Research & Reports
      Research & Reports

      Ranked as one of the country’s “Best Places for Business and Careers” by Forbes Magazine, Asheville successfully embodies a fresh mix of eclectic sophistication within a culturally and economically diverse community. The EDC's research team serves as a central point of information for the latest regional data and resources.

    • Attracting & Growing Businesses
      Attracting & Growing Businesses

      Consider the Economic Development staff your one-stop resource for connecting to the Asheville community. Their comprehensive services are free of charge and confidential. Contact the EDC staff to learn how they can assist your company through your relocation or expansion project.

    • Small Business & Entreprenuership
      Small Business & Entreprenuership

      Small businesses are the backbone of Asheville’s economy. The community embraces the impact of these companies on our culture and lifestyle. The Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Coalition and other community organizations have developed a variety of resources designed to help all small businesses succeed.

    • Success Stories & Testimonials
      Success Stories & Testimonials Many businesses are thriving in Asheville and yours could be next. Here are a few of the local businesses making headlines recently.
    • Contacts
      Contacts Consider the Economic Development staff your one-stop resource for connecting to the Asheville community. Find a complete list of staff available to help you plan the next phase of your business.
    • Announcements & Press Releases
      Announcements & Press Releases Asheville’s economy and industry is constantly evolving. Keep up to date on the latest industry announcements and plans here. Contact the EDC staff if your company has exciting news to share with the community.
    • Find A Business
      Find A Business

      Find online business listings of Chamber members. This user-friendly search makes this page worth bookmarking as your guide to Asheville area businesses.

    • Asheville 5x5 Campaign
      Asheville 5x5 Campaign

      Asheville 5x5 is a five-year economic development initiative of the Chamber and the Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County. Read on to learn more about the Chamber's efforts to grow 5,000 new jobs in the region.

Photo Credit: Economic Development Coalition
Tools for Business Site Map

 

 Click on the topic to see the sub-topics

Tools for Tough Economic Times

  • 30-Day Business Turnaround
    ....30 Day Business Turnaround Program
    ....How to turnaround a failing business
  • Business loss? Refund prior years' federal taxes
  • Checklist for Recession Survival
  • Downsizing or having major layoffs? Rapid Response Service
  • How to pay business debts you can?t afford
  • SBTDC BizBoost Program: Changing Direction in a Down Economy
  • SCORE to the Rescue! Business Assessment Teams
  • The 27 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Negotiating Business Debts

Business Planning and Assistance

  • 3 essential levels: Strategic plan; business plan; operational plan
  • 8-session training from MountainBiz Works: Foundations Business Planning Program
  • Advantage West
    ....Advantage West provides education, mentoring and networking, communications and capital formation for businesses in Western North Carolina.
    ....Provides education, mentoring and networking, communications and capital formation for businesses in Western North Carolina.
  • Asheville-Buncombe Tech Business Incubator Program
  • Assessing Business feasibility
  • Available technologies from NC Agricultural and Tech State University
  • BioBusiness Laboratory (BBL)
  • Biotech company? Lab facilities and networking at Biotechnology Center
  • Biotech? BioNetWork BioBusiness Center
  • Boosting your Business Using Technology - a video tutorial from SCORE
  • Breakeven calculator
  • Business Acceleration and Technology Out-licensing Network (BATON)
  • Business Plan Tools
  • Business Plan Writer's Workshop
  • Business plan classes
    ....Find your local SBDC office
    ....Find your local SCORE chapter
  • Business plan tools
    ....Business Plan Writer from MBDA
    ....Free Biz Toolkit from JJ Hill Library
    ....Free Business Plan workbook from MasterCard
    ....Free business plan templates from SCORE
  • Business valuation calculator
  • Buy versus lease calculator
  • Cash flow calculator
    ....Cash flow calculator
    ....Cash flow calculator
  • Creating a Technology Plan for your Small Business - a video tutorial from SCORE
  • Debt consolidation calculator
  • Debt service calculator
  • Estimating Breakeven Sales for your Small Business
  • Financial ratios calculator
  • Find SCORE contact information for the chapter nearest you
  • Five things to find out about your industry before going into business
  • Food business: Entrepreneur Assistance Program
  • Free Online Workshops
  • Gross Margins
  • High tech business? First Flight Venture Center
  • How to Build a Bulletproof Startup - for businesses that are serious about growing
  • How to do Market Research, Industry Research and Business Research
    ....How to Learn about an Industry or a Specific Company
    ....Industry Portals
    ....Tutorial on how to use the Internet and your library for business research
    ....Tutorials on how to use individual databases
  • Idea generation: HATCH in Asheville
  • Information Sources for your Business Plan
    ....Free business statistics and financial ratios
    ....Industry information and analysis
    ....NCLive is the state-wide online library service with databases and information
    ....Reference for Business - business articles
    ....SBDCNet business information from SBDCs
    ....Statistics gathered by the federal government
    ....US Census American Community Survey
  • Information for Food Businesses from Cooperative Extension
  • Innovation Marketplace: find business opportunities, register your needs or your innovation
  • Invenio IP: Technologies available for commercialization
  • Inventory analysis calculator
  • Investment return calculator
  • Minority Business Enterprise Center (in Durham)
  • NC Small Business Technology Development Centers
  • NCSU Technology Incubator
  • Need to attract foot traffic? Effective Signage
  • Need to bring new technology to market? Technology Commercialization Center
  • North Carolina Business ServiCenter
  • North Carolina EDIS: create site-specific demographic reports for any North Carolina location
  • North Carolina Indian Economic Development Initiative
  • North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development
  • PlanetEureka!
  • Profit margin calculator
  • Public universities encourage entrepreneurs to bring their inventions to market
    ....Available technology through East Carolina University
    ....Available technology through North Carolina State University
    ....Available technology through University of North Carolina
  • Researching Companies Online: A step-by-step tutorial
  • SWOT analysis: Strength Weakness Opportunities and Threats
    ....Easy to use strategic planning tool for business
    ....Explanation of SWOT analysis
  • Sample business plans
  • Sample business plans from Palo Alto Software
  • Small Business Administration's website
  • Software company less than 3 years old? Microsoft's BizSpark program
    ....
    ....
  • TechLink: Helps commercialize innovations for the defense industry
  • UNC Family Business Forum
  • Using innovation and new ideas
    ....I-bridge linking ideas with innovation
    ....Springwise business ideas
  • Why do a business plan
  • Womens Business Center at the Center for Economic Empowerment & Development

Funding Programs

  • 10 Marketing Plan Tips to Help Get a Bank Loan email course
  • 15-minute presentation template to angel investors
  • 504 Loan Program North Carolina providers
  • Angel investors and venture capital
    ....Angel Capital Network
    ....Angel investors and venture capital
    ....Band Angels
    ....Free venture capital workbook
    ....Investors Circle
    ....National Venture Capital Association
    ....Pitch the Angels
    ....Vfinance
  • Before you use your home equity or savings
  • Biotech company? Business loans from NC Biotechnology Center
  • Blue Ridge Angel Investor Network
  • Blue Ridge Entrepreneur Council
  • Blue Ridge Entrepreneur Council offers one-on-one support services for businesses seeking capital
  • Business Loans and Grants for Recycling Companies
  • Business loans from MountainBiz Works
  • Buying a Franchise?
  • CAN is Lending: North Carolina Capital Access Network
  • Can't qualify for a loan anywhere? Find an Opportunity Finance lender
  • Centralia Development Corporation: SBA 504 loans
  • Child Care Revolving Loan Fund
  • Current or former military? SBA Patriot Express Loans
  • Farm Storage Facility Loan Program
  • Federal grant opportunities
  • Find the Right Accounting Software
    ....Business accounting software
    ....Free online bookkeeping
    ....Quickbooks free Simple Start software
  • Finding angel investors: videos from the Wisconsin Angel Network
    ....Finance marketing - how to market yourself to get angel investors
    ....Stages of financing
  • Free (and almost free) online invoicing and credit card processing tools
  • Golden Leaf Loan Program
  • Green business? Business loans from Self-Help.org
  • How is your credit score calculated?
  • If you don't own a home
  • In a small community or rural area? SBA Rural Lender Advantage Program
  • Inception Micro Angel Fund (IMAF)
  • Inception Micro Angel Fund (IMAF) IMAF Western
  • Investment Tax Credit for your investors
  • Latino Community Credit Union Micro Loans
  • Learn Quickbooks - Free Tutorials
  • Life science and technology company seeking investor funding? Streak Program
  • Loan Repayment Calculator
  • Meritus Ventures invests in expansion-stage businesses in Tennessee and rural Appalachia
  • Microenterprise Loan Program for rural, low-income, women, and minority businesses
  • Military Reservists Loans
  • Model Venture Capital Financing Documents
  • NC Capital Access Program
  • NC Innovative Development for Economic Advancement Grant
  • NC Minority Support Center Business Loans
  • New Venture Template - information on obtaining venture funding from the Wayne Brown Institute
  • North Carolina Angel Investor Networks
  • North Carolina Capital Opportunities for Small Business (pdf)
  • North Carolina Recycling Loan Fund
  • One North Carolina Small Business Program for businesses applying for SBIR funds
  • Participate in Trade Reporting
    ....D&B Trade Reporting
    ....Sign up for D&B Trade Reporting
  • Personal guarantees
  • Piedmont Angel Network
  • Raising Equity Learning Center
  • Ready to grow your business? Rural Venture Fund
  • Receive an SBIR grant? North Carolina Small Business Program provides matching funds
  • Rural Venture Fund for businesses in rural North Carolina
  • SBA Dealer Floor Plan Financing
  • SBA MicroLoans
  • SBA Small Business Innovation Research
    ....Federal innovation research grants
    ....Sample proposals and tips for SBIR research projects
  • SBA cap program: short-term working capital
  • SBA-approved Preferred Lenders
  • SBTDC Seminar: Becoming an Investor-Ready Entrepreneur
  • Self-Help Small Business Loans
  • Sustaining rural communities and/or natural resources? Natural Capital Investment Fund
  • The Entrepreneur's Path: Handbook for High-Growth Companies
  • USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Loan
    ....Find out if you are eligible for USDA loans - Map of areas designated as rural.
    ....USDA Business Programs in North Carolina
  • USDA Value-Added Producer & Renewable Energy Grants
  • Understanding Financial Statements
    ....Learn basic accounting
    ....Understand your financial statements
  • Understanding and using financial statements: Low-cost online courses from NC REAL
  • Using Technology to Improve your Cash Flow - a video tutorial from SCORE
  • Videos on forming a high growth company from USpark at University of Utah
  • What to consider in selecting a business location
  • What to do to get a good business credit score
  • Your Funding Toolkit
    ....11 steps to establish good business credit
    ....Get your business D&B number
    ....Get your credit score
    ....Things to do before you get a loan
Directory of Capital
  • Accredited investor
  • Business plan tools
  • Equipment Finance 101 from the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association
  • How to choose a credit card
  • Individual Development Accounts
  • Negotiating credit card interest rates
    ....Compare credit card rates and services
    ....Compare credit cards
  • Selling across state lines
  • Who gets what percentage? Use this simulation tool
Business Incentives

  • AshevilleHub: Economic development commitment to promote innovation and rising productivity
  • Expanding or relocating? Article 3J Tax Credits
  • Find available business locations in Western North Carolina
  • HUB Zones
    ....Application information for HUB zones
    ....Find HUB zone near you
  • Investing in a low-income community? New Markets Tax Credit
  • Location Assistance
  • North Carolina Job Development Investment Grant Program
  • One North Carolina Fund
  • Site selector tool
  • Tax incentives for locating your business in Asheville or Buncombe County

Business Formation

  • BizFilings offers a free Formation Assistant
  • Business entity choices
    ....Be an independent contractor
    ....Form a corporation
    ....Form a non-profit
    ....Form a sole proprietorship
    ....Form an LLC
  • Forming Your Business Out-of-state
  • Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop for Small Business and the Self-Employed
  • Business Start-Up Kit for Sole Proprietors
    • Business Insurance
    • Certificate of Assumed Name
      ....North Carolina certificate of assumed name form
      ....North Carolina links to counties to file Assumed Business Name
    • InsureU for Small Business
    • Liquor Licenses and other Permits
      ....Alcohol permit^Liquor license
    • Overview of Business Requirements for Sole Proprietors
      ....
    • Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights
      ....Business method patent
      ....Copyright forms
      ....Copyright information
      ....Design patent
      ....Register a trademark
      ....US Patent and Trademark website
      ....Utility patent
    • SS-4 Application for Federal and Employer ID number
  • Business Start-Up Kit for Corporations
    • Articles of Incorporation
      ....North Carolina FAQs for incorporating
      ....North Carolina Secretary of State for questions about incorporating
      ....North Carolina articles of incorporation
    • Business Insurance
    • Corporate Bylaws
    • Election of S Corporation Status
      ....IRS form 2553 Election of S Corporation Status
      ....IRS forms and publications
    • First Board of Directors Meeting
    • InsureU for Small Business
    • Issuing Stock
    • Liquor Licenses and other Permits
      ....Alcohol permit^Liquor license
    • Make the most of a buy-sell agreement
    • North Carolina Securities Regulations
    • Overview of Corporate Requirements
    • Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights
      ....Business method patent
      ....Copyright forms
      ....Copyright information
      ....Design patent
      ....Register a trademark
      ....US Patent and Trademark website
      ....Utility patent
    • Professional Corporations
    • SS-4 Application for Federal and Employer ID number
  • Business Start-Up Kit for Limited Liability Companies
    • Articles of Organization
      ....North Carolina articles of organization for LLCs
      ....North Carolina articles of organization for professional LLCs
    • Business Insurance
    • InsureU for Small Business
    • Liquor Licenses and other Permits
      ....Alcohol permit^Liquor license
    • Operating Agreement
    • Overview of Business Requirements for LLCs
      ....
    • Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights
      ....Business method patent
      ....Copyright forms
      ....Copyright information
      ....Design patent
      ....Register a trademark
      ....US Patent and Trademark website
      ....Utility patent
    • Selecting your LLC's Name
      ....North Carolina Application to Reserve LLC Name
      ....Search for North Carolina corporate or LLC name
    • SS-4 Application for Federal and Employer ID number
  • Business Start-Up Kit for Partnerships
    • Business Insurance
    • InsureU for Small Business
    • Liquor Licenses and other Permits
      ....Alcohol permit^Liquor license
    • Overview of Business Requirements for Partnerships
      ....
    • Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights
      ....Business method patent
      ....Copyright forms
      ....Copyright information
      ....Design patent
      ....Register a trademark
      ....US Patent and Trademark website
      ....Utility patent
    • Registration of Limited Partnership
    • SS-4 Application for Federal and Employer ID number

Government Requirements

  • IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
  • IRS Taxpayer Advocate
    ....Find the taxpayer advocate for your state
    ....Helps taxpayers (including businesses) whose tax problems are causing financial difficulty.
  • IRS Video Portal
  • IRS tax workshops offered in North Carolina
  • National Compliance Assistance Centers
  • Small Business Environmental Assistance
  • W-9 Request for Taxpayer ID number
  • Paying Yourself: Sole Proprietors
  • Paying Yourself: Corporations
  • Paying Yourself: Limited Liability Companies
  • Paying Yourself: Partnerships
  • Quarterly Requirements for Sole Proprietors
    • E-500 Sales and Use Tax Return
    • Federal Income Tax Payments: 1040ES
    • NC-40 Quarterly Estimated Income Tax
    • Schedule SE Social Security Self-Employment Tax
  • Quarterly Requirements for Corporations
    • E-500 Sales and Use Tax Return
    • EFTPS - free service to pay federal taxes electronically
    • Federal Income Tax Payments: 1040ES
    • Federal Income Tax Payments: S Corp
    • NC-40 Quarterly Estimated Income Tax
    • North Carolina CD429 Estimated Corporate Income Tax
    • Schedule SE Social Security Self-Employment Tax
  • Quarterly Requirements for Limited Liability Companies
    • E-500 Sales and Use Tax Return
    • Federal Income Tax Payments
    • Federal Income Tax Payments: 1040ES
    • NC-40 Quarterly Estimated Income Tax
    • Schedule SE Social Security Self-Employment Tax
  • Quarterly Requirements for Partnerships
    • E-500 Sales and Use Tax Return
    • Federal Income Tax Payments
    • Federal Income Tax Payments: 1040ES
    • NC-40 Quarterly Estimated Income Tax
    • Schedule SE Social Security Self-Employment Tax
  • Annual Requirements for Sole Proprietors
    • 1099M Statement for Independent Contractors
    • Annual Tax Return: IRS 1040 Schedule C
    • Business Property Tax
  • Annual Requirements for Corporations
    • 1099Div Statement for Dividend Income
    • 1099M Statement for Independent Contractors
    • Annual Federal Return for C Corporations
    • Annual Federal Return for S Corporations
    • Annual Shareholder's Meeting
    • Business Property Tax
    • North Carolina CD-401S Annual Tax Return for S Corporations
    • North Carolina Form CD 405 Annual Tax Return for C Corporations
  • Annual Requirements for Limited Liability Companies
    • 1065 with Schedule K-1s
    • 1099M Statement for Independent Contractors
    • Annual Tax Return: IRS 1040 Schedule C
    • Business Property Tax
    • North Carolina Annual Report for LLCs
    • North Carolina Annual Tax Return for LLCs
  • Annual Requirements for Partnerships
    • 1065 with Schedule K-1s
    • 1099M Statement for Independent Contractors
    • Business Property Tax
    • D-403 North Carolina Annual Tax Return for Partnerships
  • Filling in the Gaps: All businesses
    • Americans with Disabilities Act
    • Apply for SBA certification program
    • Bulk mail and other discounted mailing programs
    • Business reply envelopes (or postcards)
    • Buying from the Internet? Use Tax
    • Country of origin marking
    • Create color postcards/letters/booklets and flyers
    • Customs forms
    • Do Not Solicit Registry
    • Drugs, medical devices, bloodbanks
    • Export information and forms
    • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
    • Federal Trade Commission
    • Food and Drug Administration
    • Food labeling requirements
    • Get a UPC Barcode for your product
    • Get an ISBN number for your book
    • HUB zone information
    • Harmonized Tariff System
    • Important Numbers: D&B, NAICs and others
    • Information about tobacco requirements and permits
    • National Minority Supplier Development Council Certification
    • National Women Business Owners Corporation
    • Privacy Laws
    • Product Labeling: UPC and Barcodes
    • SBA certification programs
    • SBA self-certification as a small business
    • SBA size requirements for certification as a small business
    • SBA's Veterans Business Development Officers
    • Schedule B classification codes for exporting
    • Securities Exchange Commission
    • Selling firearms? Federal firearms license
    • Shippers Export Declaration
    • Surety Bonding for Job Completion
    • Tobacco, firearms and alcohol
    • US Department of Agriculture Marketing and Regulatory Division
    • Women's Business Enterprise National Council

Employer Assistance

  • Americas Heroes at Work: Employer resources
  • AskEarn.org: Resources to help employers hire people with disabilities
  • Available tax deductions for health costs
  • Calculator to determine your cost of employee turnover
  • Coaching Employees: the Take 10 Check In
  • Dealing with Difficult Workplace Behaviors free online class
  • Discipline Documentation free online class
  • Discrimination and Legal Issues for Businesses free online class
  • Does the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act apply to independent contractors?
  • Drug-Free Workplace Employee Education
    ....Drug-Free Workplace Kit
    ....Drug-free training for employees
  • E-Verify: Check work status with Homeland Security
  • Email employee forms to new hires
  • Employee management forms from the US Chamber of Commerce
  • Employee termination checklist
  • Employer Toolkits for wellness: weight loss, smoking cessation, stress management and more
  • Employer requirements kit
  • Employment application template
  • Ergonomic and safety tools
    ....Best practices in ergonomics for health care and manufacturing
    ....Ergonomics training from the Ergonomics Center of North Carolina
  • Ergonomic training materials
  • Ergonomics and safety tools
    ....Computer User Heaven: 8 Exercises That Spell Relief
    ....Computer Workstation Self-Evaluation
    ....Cost benefit research showing employee efficiency improvements from ergonomic solutions
    ....Dynamic exercises - to prepare your body for physical motion
    ....Employee safety - back injury prevention
    ....Employee safety - desktop computer users
    ....Employee safety - easy ergonomics
    ....Employee safety - ergonomics in action for the food processing industry
    ....Ergonomic guidance for health care and hospitality industries
    ....Ergonomic stretch breaks for employees - Ergonomic exercises from University of Virginia
    ....Ergonomic tools for baggage handlers, deliverers, electricians, warehousing, and others
    ....Ergonomics Ideas Bank
    ....Ergonomics cost/benefits calculator from Washington State
    ....Industry-specific ergonomic tools - find your industry here
    ....Laboratory Workstation Evaluation Checklist
    ....Lifting calculator, pushing & pulling calculator, and checklists
    ....OR-OSHA's Introduction to Ergonomics in the Workplace
    ....Push, Pull, Carry calculator
    ....Recommendations for computer users from Cornell University
    ....Safety Pays! Calculator from OSHA analyzing the direct and indirect injuries
    ....Small business ergonomics: 32 examples, solutions and cost/benefit analyses
  • Find an intern or an employee at UNC Asheville
  • Find best-practices solutions to your safety concerns
  • Find employees using Skill-Net
  • Finding the Right Fit: a hiring and retention resource
  • Finding the pay rate for your employees
  • Flexible Work Schedules: Flexibility Toolkit
  • Free OSHA Safety Consultation
    ....North Carolina OSHA consultation service
    ....North Carolina OSHA training
  • Free OSHA Safety Management Tools
  • Free OSHA Safety and Health Management Training for Small Business
  • Free job description tools
    ....Find the right person: Interactive Hiring Tool
    ....Job Description Writer
  • Full text Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
  • H1-B work visas for professional workers
  • H2-B work visas for short-term, non-professional workers
  • Handling Terminations with Care and Control free online course
  • Hiring a risky job applicant? Free federal employee bond
    ....Federal bonding program
    ....Find the state administrator
  • Hiring a veteran, low-income person or disabled? Work Opportunity Tax Credit
    ....Form 1 for Work Opportunity Tax Credit
    ....Who qualifies for WOTC
  • Hiring from a targeted group? Receive Work Opportunity Tax Credit
  • How to do a criminal background check in North Carolina
  • Human Touch Performance Appraisals free online course
  • IRS Independent Contractor Misclassification: Settlement with the IRS
    ....Forms to use to apply for the IRS Settlement Program
    ....Information about the IRS' program that reduces fines for reclassification by 90%
  • IRS Withholding Charts - Biweekly - Married
  • IRS Withholding Charts - Biweekly - Single
  • IRS Withholding Charts - Irregular
    ....Federal withholding for irregular payroll - married
    ....Federal withholding for irregular payroll - single
  • Independent contractor / employee checklist - which clearly shows how to tell the difference
  • Information about federal work visa programs
  • Interview questions for various job categories
  • Lifting Guideline Tool
  • Need HR help? Join an Employer Association
  • Need specialized help? The Ergonomics Center of North Carolina
  • New Employee Orientation Checklist
  • OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs VPP
  • OSHA safety publications
  • Office of Disability: Searchable Online Accommodation Tool
  • Online management classes
  • Payroll tax calculator
  • Performance Improvement Process - positive employee discipline
  • Post jobs and find employees at North Carolina Job Connector
  • Proper Worker Classification - IRS video
  • Returning Heroes and Wounded Warriors: Resources to hire veterans
    ....Information about tax credits for hiring unemployed veterans
    ....Post your jobs on the Veterans Job Bank
  • SHARP: Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program
  • Sample employee application
  • Sample performance evaluation form
  • Sexual harassment prevention training
  • State Withholding Charts
  • Stay out of trouble: Avoid FLSA most common pitfalls
  • Supervising Difficult Behaviors online class
  • Telephone Reference Check Form
  • Ten Top Reasons to Hire a Veteran - information from Americas Heroes at Work
  • Things to know before doing an employment background check
  • Types of workers: Independent contractors vs employees
  • Want to hire veterans? Here's a step-by-step toolkit
  • Weekly and biweekly time sheets
    ....Biweekly - paid lunch
    ....Biweekly with non-paid lunch
    ....Biweekly with non-paid lunch and overtime
    ....Biweekly with non-paid lunch and sick/vacation
    ....Biweekly with non-paid lunch with sick and vacation
    ....Weekly - paid lunch
    ....Weekly with non-paid lunch
    ....Weekly with non-paid lunch and overtime options
  • Work Opportunity Tax Credit
  • Write an employee manual: free template
  • Wrongful termination laws
  • You Be The Judge In Interviewing
  • Becoming an Employer
    • Are you an Employer?
    • I-9: Immigration & Naturalization
    • Independent contractor misconceptions
    • Independent contractor versus employee: Information from the IRS
    • Minimum Wage
    • New Hire Reporting
    • North Carolina Withholding Certificate NC-4
    • Overview of Labor Laws
    • W-4 Federal Allowance Certificate
    • Workers Compensation
  • Hiring Others
    • Are you an Employer?
    • I-9: Immigration & Naturalization
    • Independent contractor misconceptions
    • Independent contractor versus employee: Information from the IRS
    • Minimum Wage
    • New Hire Reporting
    • North Carolina Withholding Certificate NC-4
    • Overview of Labor Laws
    • W-4 Federal Allowance Certificate
    • Workers Compensation
  • Filling in the Gaps
    • OSHA Requirements
    • Required Posters
  • Paying Others
    • Information about the federal earned income credit
    • North Carolina income tax withholding tables
    • Reporting Tip Income
  • Quarterly Requirements for Employers
    • Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return
    • Quarterly Income Tax and Unemployment Tax Reports
  • Annual Requirements for Employers
    • Annual FUTA Tax Return
    • NC-3 Annual Withholding Reconciliation
Business and Employee Training

  • 20 major time wasters for small business: Effective Time Management
  • 90 FREE On-Demand Online Learning Programs from Kutztown SBDC
  • Adding 12+ employees? A-B Tech's on-site Customized Training Program
  • American Management Assoc. courses and certification
  • Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Small Business courses
  • BioNetwork Industry Training
  • Carland College: online college for entrepreneurs based in Asheville
  • Classes at North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center
  • Classes for existing businesses at A-B Tech
  • Classes for new businesses at A-B Tech
  • Competitive Advantage through Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship - CAFÉ Program
  • Customized training through North Carolina Community Colleges
  • Energy Savings for Small Business Owners and other sustainability classes at A-B Tech
  • Find your local women's center
  • Food Business workshops through NC State University
  • Food safety training
  • Food safety workshops from NC State University
  • GeoLearning: Access to 80 to 300 online courses
  • HR online training courses by Skillsoft
  • Industrial training from NC State University IEShop
  • Industry and occupational training at A-B Tech
  • Leadership and employee performance tools from the SBTDC
  • Lean Performance U and other Lean Training
  • Need specialized training? A-B Tech's Customized Training Program
  • Need to be more organized? Time management resources
  • North Carolina State University OSHA training courses
  • OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour courses at A-B Tech
  • Online business training from NC State University
  • Online spanish courses for business
  • Productivity Institute at A-B Tech
  • Quality, leadership and management courses at A-B Tech
  • Quickbooks and other computer training at A-B Tech
  • Safety Training
  • Safety training from North Carolina Industrial Commission
  • Safety training from the Safety and Health Council of North Carolina
  • Seminars for Employers offered by WCI
  • Soft (people) skills training
  • Spanish language guides
  • Training existing workers? Incumbent Workforce Development Grant
  • Training sponsored by the Institute of Minority Economic Development
  • WCI, based in Asheville

Taking your Business to the Next Step

  • Are We Making Progress?: Baldrige National Quality Program
  • Are you a second stage business?
  • B Corporations - what they are and the benefits of becoming one
  • Best practices assessment in human resources
  • Best practices assessment in industrial marketing and sales
  • Best practices assessment in lean manufacturing
  • Best practices assessment in manufacturing systems
  • Best practices assessment in quality management
  • Building Teamwork - resource in Excellent Leadership Part 1 video
  • Business Model Assessment
  • Business skills mini-training from Geo-on-Demand - resource in Excellent Leadership Part 1 video
  • Competent Leaders - what effective leaders do well - resource in Excellent Leadership Part 1 video
  • Completing the Puzzle - resource in Excellent Leadership Part 1 video
  • Developing a quality management system: ISO 9000
  • Developing emotional intelligence - resource in Excellent Leadership Part 1 video
  • Do you qualify for North Carolina Companies to Watch?
  • Examples of vision statements from 40 companies - resource in Excellent Leadership Part 1 video
  • Financial Scorecard
  • Free financial analysis from the SBTDC
  • Growth through Objectives program with Mountain Biz Works
  • Idea Management Assessment: Is your company positioned for innovation?
  • Improve your business operations: Six Sigma for Small Business
  • Industrial expertise to help improve your business
  • Leadership online training module - resource in Excellent Leadership Part 1 video
  • Leadership training activities - resource in Excellent Leadership Part 1 video
  • Leadership vs. Management - resource in Excellent Leadership Part 1 video
  • Mastercard also offers these short business online publications
  • North Carolina Awards for Excellence
  • Ohio Employee Ownership Center helps businesses everywhere transfer ownership to their employees
  • Peer learning
  • Performance management
    ....Seek performance excellence: Baldrige National Quality Program
    ....Self-analysis worksheet: Baldrige National Quality Program
  • Resources for growing an existing business from BLNC.gov
  • Small Business Report Card
  • Take the B Impact Assessment
  • Team Dynamics Assessment - resource in Excellent Leadership Part 1 video
  • Teampedia - resource in Excellent Leadership Part 1 video

Think Globally

  • Are you export-ready? A short self-assessment
  • Basic Guide to Exporting
    ....A Basic Guide to Exporting: Book
    ....A Basic Guide to Exporting: Online training version
  • Certificate of Origin form
  • Consulting, contracting & exporting opportunities with UN Development Business
  • Custom market research services from Export.Gov
  • Do you want to improve your global competitiveness?
  • Export Business Planner from the SBA
  • Export and international trade assistance
    ....Learn to export
    ....US Commercial Service offices
  • Export regulation and compliance training videos
  • Export-Import Bank Environmental Exports Program
  • Export-Import Bank: Assistance for minority and women-owned businesses
  • Export-U.com
    ....9 free online classes about exporting from Export-U
    ....Free registration for Export-U online courses.
  • Exporting Help: US Commercial Service
    ....International trade opportunities
    ....US Commercial Service local offices
  • Fast Track Service: Assistance finding partners in Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Korea or Mexico
  • Foreign Trade Zones
    ....Foreign trade zone FAQs
    ....Foreign trade zones in North Carolina
    ....Foreign trade zones in the US
  • Free market surveys - ExportNavigator
  • Global business webinars from the National Export Initiative
  • Gold Key Matching Service from the US Commercial Service
  • Handling money overseas
    ....Find IBAN number - international bank account number
    ....Swift number - or bank identification code
  • How to complete a NAFTA Certificate of Origin form
  • Industry newsletters and reports from the US Commercial Service
  • International trade logistics - an online course
  • Leads, Events, Research & More! www.Export.gov
  • Loans and Export Credit Insurance
  • North Carolina International Trade Services
  • North Carolina SBTDC partners with the Export-Import Bank
  • North Carolina World Trade Association
  • North Carolina companies that have financed through the Export/Import Bank
  • Qualified trade leads in Mexico and Colombia through SBDCGlobal
  • SBA Export Express Loan
  • SBA Export Working Capital Program
  • SBA International Trade Loan Program 7a to improve competitiveness
  • SBA STEP Program to help double exports by 2014
  • Tax credit for using the NC Ports
  • Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for Exporters
  • TradePort; Free Import and Export Trade Tutorial
  • U.S.Commercial Service
  • US Export Assistance Center
  • Want to export to China? China Business Information Center
  • Want to import? Global Sourcing Essentials
  • Want to market to China? Access America Directory
  • Want to sell to Europe? Find out if you must identify your product with a CE mark
    ....Information about CE marks
    ....Mini-course in CE marks

Everything Local!

  • Add Google +1 icon to your website
  • Add a Like button so people can like your website
  • Add like box so people will visit your Facebook page
  • Add your business listing to Google Places
  • Better Business Bureau
  • Find bookkeepers, attorneys, consultants and other business advisors
  • Find locally grown food at LocalHarvest.org
  • Get found on GPS devices by getting a DUNS number
  • LEAP legal services for low income businesses
  • Make sure your business is found on GPS systems
    ....Register your business with Navteq
    ....Register your business with Reference USA
  • Make sure your business is found on online maps
  • Sell or advertise your products at the North Asheville Tailgate Market
  • Set up your business listing on BING
  • Support local businesses in the Asheville Downtown area
  • Why Buy Locally? The 3-50 Project

Marketing and Selling

  • 28 Days to Better Selling
  • 8 Marketing Tips for Recession Stressed Entrepreneurs
  • Applying Technology to Jumpstart your Sales - a video tutorial from SCORE
  • Banks seeking minority-, women- and disabled-owned businesses
    ....Bank of America supplier diversity
    ....Citibank supplier diversity
    ....Comerica supplier diversity
    ....HSBC supplier diversity
    ....US Bank supplier diversity
    ....Union Bank supplier diversity
    ....Wells Fargo supplier diversity
  • Build an Online Word-of-Mouth Marketing Plan
  • Building Customer Loyalty free online class
  • Building the Perfect Website for your Small Business - a video tutorial from SCORE
  • Building your Small Business Brand ? Be Emotional!
  • Capital One/VISA provides free online workshops
  • Certified by a Minority Supplier Development Council? Financing to fulfill contracts and purchase orders
  • Create and Mail Professional Postcards for under a Buck
    ....Create 4 color cards to market your business
    ....Create posters flyers and cards to market your business
  • Customer Survey Tool
  • Daily email small business marketing courses and e-books from Famee Foundation
    ....Customer Pillars free e-book
    ....Free Marketing e-Book for small businesss
    ....Free marketing courses for small business
  • Do-it-Yourself Branding - free online guide
  • Email Marketing: Tips and Tools
    ....CAN-SPAM email requirements
    ....Eliminate your code errors
    ....Help creating effective email campaigns
    ....Permission based email marketing
  • Food-related businesses: Get listed on North Carolina General Store
  • High Impact Marketing for Startups and Small Businesses
  • Market research services from the SBTDC
  • Marketing 101 - free online course from Small Biz U
  • Minority certification from NC Indian Economic Development Initiative
  • Minority owned? Get certified by the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council
  • Need Sales Leads or Competitive Information?
  • Need sales leads or competitor information?
  • North Carolina Agritourism information and marketing support
  • Promote your artisan or agri-tourism business on HomegrownHandmade
  • Quick Start Sales Training free online class
  • Reference USA information
  • Selling to large companies
    ....Find your SIC code here
    ....Get a free DUNS number
    ....Sell to large companies
  • Tool to improve your press releases
    ....Free press release improvement tool
    ....Free website and press release grader tools
  • Using GPS to build your business

Selling to the Government

  • Avoiding the bid process
  • CCR Central Contract Registration to sell the federal government
  • Click to find projects where you can bid!
  • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Bonding Assistance Program
  • Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs)
  • Doing business with Asheville? You must have a Drug-Free Workplace Policy
  • Federal opportunities for $25,000 and more
  • Find businesses that sell to the federal government
  • Find federal sub-contracting opportunities
  • Get certified as minority, women disabled or economically disadvantaged business for state procurement preference
  • Help doing business with the military: North Carolina Military Business Center
    ....All-American Defense Business Association
    ....Help doing business with the military
    ....Subcontracting opportunities for defense contracts
  • IPS Bid Notification
  • Is your product environmentally friendly? Federal government's Bio-Preferred Program
  • Minority certification for Native American businesses
  • Minority certification through the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council
  • Minority or disadvantaged business? SBA 8(a) Program
    ....Application process for the SBA 8(a) program
    ....Learn if you are eligible for the SBA 8(a) program
  • Native American? American Indian Procurement Assistance Center
  • Network with North Carolina Defense Business Association
  • North Carolina Military Business Center: Matchforce.org
  • Once you get a contract: paperwork and certified payroll
    ....Certified payroll form
    ....Certified payroll instructions
    ....EEO-1 Survey for government contractors
    ....Labor law posters required by the federal government
  • Online vendor registration to sell to Buncombe County
  • Procurement Technology Assistance Centers (PTAC)
  • SBA 8(a) program for minority businesses
  • Sell to the city of Asheville
  • Sell to the state of North Carolina
    ....Statewide Vendor Registration
    ....Vendor Link NC
  • Selling to cities? Prevailing and livable wage
  • Selling to the federal government
    ....5 steps to government contracting
    ....List of federal agencies buying products
    ....Sub-contract opportunities
  • Short-term minority/women loan program for federal transportation-related projects
  • Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program
  • Small Professional Services Firm (SPSF) program for sub-consulting opportunities
  • These agencies want to do business with you
    ....Army local contacts for bid opportunities
    ....Department of Defense small business assistance for bid opportunities
    ....Department of Defense sub-contract opportunities
    ....Information on selling to the Department of Defense
    ....Information on selling to the US Army Corp
    ....US Army Corp local contacts
    ....US Army Corp small business assistance
    ....US Army Corp subcontracting opportunities
    ....US Defense Logistics local contacts for bid opportunities
  • US Department of Transportation recognizes veteran-owned small businesses
  • Vendor Registration System
  • Vendor application to sell to the City of Asheville
  • Want to sell to DOT? South Atlantic Small Business Transportation Resource Center
  • Women-owned Small Business Federal Contract Program
  • e-Procurement System

Selling on the Internet

  • Classes to Maximize your Website's Effectiveness
  • Finding your Website: Keywords
  • Free search engine optimization tools compiled by WESST
  • How to evaluate websites for competitive intelligence
  • Putting your Business on the Web
  • Selling on the Internet
    ....Email Marketing Return on Investment Calculator
    ....Pay per Click Return on Investment Calculator
    ....Website Conversion Rate Calculator
  • Tool to Grade your Website
  • Tools to Track your Web Traffic

Green Business Practices

  • 10 Things you Should Never Buy Again
  • Auto Repair: Top 10 Green Practices
  • Business Analyzer Tool
  • Business assistance for Recycling Companies
  • Business energy savings toolkit from Duke Energy
  • Developing a Voluntary Environmental Management System ISO 14001
  • Do you want to buy carbon offsets? NC Green Power
  • Energy Star Products and Programs
    ....Apply for Energy Star certification
    ....Energy star products
  • Energy savings in food service
  • Energy savings in lighting
  • Environmental Management Systems ISO 14000 Tips and Tools
  • Find incentives by zip code
  • Finding Certified Green Companies
  • Free site assessment of potential renewable energy savings by North Carolina State University
  • Green Alternative Chemicals and Processes Wizard from MIT
  • Green Plan for Hotels
  • Green Plan for the Food Service Industry
  • Green Suppliers
  • Hotels: Top 10 Green Practices
    ....Green Hotels Association
    ....Green practices hotels
  • Industrial best practices for energy
  • Loans and grants to rural small business and ag producers for energy improvements
  • Managing Your Hazardous Waste: A Guide for Small Businesses
  • Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
    ....MSDS safety cards
    ....Material safety data sheets
    ....Material safety data sheets from manufacturers
  • North Carolina Energy Improvement Loan Program
  • North Carolina Green Business Fund
  • P2 Pollution Prevention
  • Pollution Prevention Plan Online Tool
  • Printers: Top 10 Green Practices
  • Recycling information for North Carolina businesses
  • Restaurants: Top 10 Green Practices
  • Save Energy Now Leadership Program: Reduce your energy consumption 25% in 10 years
  • Spare the Air Employer Program from Bay Area Air Quality Management District
  • The Sustainable Office Toolkit
  • USDA REAP Guarantee Loan for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
  • Use Green Printers
  • Want specific energy recommendations for your industry? Commercial Energy Systems Library
  • WaterSmart Guidebook for Businesses
  • Ways to be Green: Landscapers
  • Wineries: Top 10 Green Practices

You May Need to Know

  • 10 Top Scam Warning Signs
  • An Owner's Guide to Business Succession
  • Choosing a retirement plan for your small business - video
  • Comparing retirement choices
  • Construction Industry Environmental Compliance Assistance Center
  • Construction Job Safety evaluation for new employees
  • Crime Prevention Ideas for Businesses
  • Do Not Call Registry
    ....Information for businesses
    ....Information for consumers
    ....National Do Not Call Registry for consumers
  • Hazard alerts for the Construction Industry
  • IRS video - Easy, Low Cost Ways to Start your Small Business Retirement Plan
  • North Carolina Bad Check law
  • Once you have a plan - legal requirements
  • Online courses for the construction industry from AGC of America
  • Preventing Fraud in your Business
    ....Create a code of ethics
    ....Five Steps To Prevent Fraud in Your Business
    ....Fraud Prevention Checkup
    ....Internal Controls to Reduce your Risk of Fraud
  • Preventing robbery, Preventing Shop Theft, and Preventing Fraud
  • Protect your equipment and data: Security Squad Video Series
  • Protecting Personal Information: A guide for business
  • Restaurants: Top 10 Green Practices
  • Roadway Safety Plus video training
  • Robbery Prevention: Indoor and exterior opportunities and what to do if a robbery occurs
  • Steel erection, fall protection, and the 4 hazards free training materials
  • Toolbox topics for the construction industry
  • Vehicle safety program for the construction industry

Disaster Planning and Recovery

  • After the Flood: Safety tips for Business Owners
  • Avoiding Fraud in Home and Business Flood Repairs
  • Business Interruption Insurance
  • Calculating Business Damages After A Disaster: Tips To Expedite Your Insurance Claim
  • Create your own Hurricane and Emergency Management Plan
  • Did you or your employees lose pay because of the disaster?
  • Disaster planning for business: Information from FEMA
  • Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry from FEMA
  • Fire Safety at the Workplace
  • Get copies of your tax returns
    ....IRS form 4506 Request copy of your tax returns
    ....Request copy of your tax returns - instructions
  • Getting Back to Business, a pamphlet from the Institute of Business and Home Safety
  • Hurricane Health and Safety: What to do before, during, and after a hurricane
  • IRS Business, Casualty, Disaster and Theft Loss Workbook
  • IRS disaster and emergency relief - online videos
  • More Ideas for Businesses from the American Red Cross
  • National Disaster Help Desk for Business
  • OSHA Evacuation Plans and Procedures e-Tool
  • Open for Business: a Business Continuity Plan
    ....Companies that provide online business continuity service
    ....Download Open for Business publication
  • PrepareMyBusiness.org: Recovery Planning Tools from the SBA
  • Red Cross Ready Rating Assessment for businesses
  • SBA Disaster Loans
    ....Applying for an SBA disaster loan
    ....Types of SBA disaster loans
  • Safety and Health Disaster: Who to Contact
  • Sample worksheet to calculate loss for business interruption insurance
  • Steps to Business Recovery: Information from Australia's recent flooding
  • Using a fire extinguisher - video
  • Ways to Protect your Property
  • What to include in a Workplace Disaster Supplies Kit


Specialty Topics
Starting a New Business

  • Annual Small Business Jump Start Day
  • Business Blueprints: Is your Business Idea Feasible
  • Business resources from Business Link North Carolina
  • Consumer Guide to Buying a Franchise
  • Do you have what it takes to succeed? Entrepreneurial Assessment
  • Go It Alone webinar
  • How to select a business name
  • Lost your jobs through a layoff or plant closing? Explore entrepreneurism with Project GATE
  • Need help finding a help to start your business? Business Link North Carolina
  • Online course: My Own Business
  • Risk assessment
  • Starting a Business: The Feasibility Analysis
  • Strategic Planning and Execution webinar
  • Ten Fatal Business Plan assumptions to avoid
  • What can you do to become more entrepreneurial
Veteran Resources

  • Associations to help veteran-owned businesses
  • Center for Veteran Enterprise
    ....Veteran Vendor Information Pages
    ....Veteran assistance program pages
  • Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities
  • Funding your Veteran Business
    ....US Center for Veterans Enterprise
    ....Veterans Corp business help for veterans
  • Military Reservist Loans
  • National Veteran Owned Business Association
  • Need more help? SBA Veteran Business Development officers
  • Operation Endure and Grow - online business training
  • Performance Bonding for Veteran Contractors
  • SBA Patriot Loans
  • SBA Veterans Guide: How to Win Federal Contracts free online course
  • Self-employment and Business Ownership resources for Veterans
  • Training funds for service-disabled veterans interested in self-employment
  • VetBiz.gov Federal Contractor Certification training
  • VetFran: Franchise Opportunities for Vets
    ....VetBiz registry
    ....Veteran franchise opportunities
  • Veteran Business Resources on Facebook
  • Veterans Business Outreach Center at Fayetteville State University
  • Veterans Business Outreach Center for southeast US
  • Vets Fast Launch Program from SCORE
  • Vwise - entrepreneurship training for women veterans

Business Networking

  • Add "Share" button
  • Facebook
    ....Create a Facebook page
    ....Facebook for Business Superguide
  • Get connected with Appalachian Women Entrepreneurs
  • Meetup.com
  • Monitor your business and industry on the web! Google Alert
  • Networking association of IT professionals in Western North Carolina
  • Setting up a Blog
    ....Create a blog
    ....Promote your blog
  • TIE Carolinas: Global Network of Entrepreneurs
  • Twitter Business Tips: Building Your Brand Online
  • Young Professionals of Asheville

Tools for Agriculture

  • Add your business to the North Carolina General Store
  • Ag in Uncertain Times
  • Ag-Biz Program from Mountain BizWorks
  • AgExportLinks: Export assistance for agriculture and food-related businesses
  • AgHelp Wanted: Guidelines for Managing Agricultural Labor
  • AgPlan - Business Plan: free software for rural businesses
  • AgTools: Free software to manage financial risk in agriculture
  • AgTransitions: online tool to build a plan to transition to the next generation
  • AgVision Young and Beginning Producer Program
  • AgrAbility: Cultivating Accessible Agriculture for people with disabilities
  • Agricultural Exporters: USDA Export Credit Guarantee Program
  • Agricultural Management Assistance for farms implementing conservation practices
  • Agricultural Waste Management
  • Agricultural marketing
  • Agricultural safety resources
  • Agriculture Issues after a Flood
  • Apprentice-Link: Matching farming apprentices with local farmers
  • Basics of exporting food and agricultural products from SUSTA
  • Best Practices for farmers markets and vendors - online course
  • BioMass Crop Assistance Program
  • Center for Environmental Farming Systems sustainable agricultural workshops
  • Center for Urban Agriculture
  • Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training in sustainable agriculture (Organic Growers School)
  • Commercial on-farm food safety practices
  • Cost share grants to help develop sources of agricultural income
  • Developing Diversified and Value-Added (DVA) Agribusiness
  • Direct Farm Marketing and Tourism Handbook from University of Arizona
  • Energy Efficiency Loans and Grants for Businesses or Agricultural Producers
  • Energy savings in agriculture
  • Environmental Management System for agriculture
  • Ergonomics Training Resources for the Poultry Industry
  • Export certificates for food
  • Export training for small businesses from SUSTA
  • Family Fund Innovation Fund
  • Farm disaster assistance programs
  • Farm first aid kit
  • Farm security and animal and plant diseases
    ....Agricultural plant and animal diseases and threats
    ....Agrosecurity, farm security, animal and plant diseases
    ....Animal Agrosecurity and Disaster Management online course
    ....Plant Biosecurity Management online course
    ....Protecting Farms: Agrosecurity Principles
  • Farm/Agricultural/Rural Management Hazard Analysis Tool
  • FarmAid: Disaster assistance
  • Farmers: communicate with the USDA: Know your Farmer/Know your Food
  • Fieldprint Calculator: How your operation impacts environmental sustainability
  • Food Risk Safety Management Guide from Kansas State
  • Free online courses in risk management for agriculture
  • GAPS - Good Agricultural Practices - online training from Cornell University
  • Get certified Appalachian Grown: Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP)
  • Getting on Track: Basic agricultural records
  • Good Agricultural Practice self-audits(GAP)
  • Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) voluntary audit verification program from the USDA
    ....Good Agricultural Practices Manual: Information and scores for the USDA GAP audit for food safety
    ....Sample agricultural food safety manual developed by Oregon Department of Agriculture
    ....Sample logs to manage your farm operation
    ....Voluntary audit program to show that your agricultural practices minimize the risk of microbial food safety hazards
  • Growing Small Farms: Sustainable agricultural program from NC Cooperative Extension
  • Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses
  • H2-A work visas for agricultural workers
  • IRS Agricultural Tax Center
  • InVenture software: Free business plan tool for agriculture
  • Include your business in the Export Directory of US Food Distribution Companies
  • Information on starting a winery in North Carolina
  • Integrated pest management for organic crops online course from SARE
  • Interactive financial analysis for farmers
  • Interested in expanding your agricultural business? Cooperative Extension Business Development Files can help
  • International trade shows and marketing events
  • Internet strategies to improve farm management: free e-learning course
  • Interpreting financial statements - online video training to improve your farm business
  • Labor Management in Agriculture: Cultivating Personnel Productivity
  • Learning Spanish: Farm vocabulary
  • Livestock operation? Free environmental assessments and technical assistance
  • Managing agricultural financial, production and price risks, including information on offsetting risks in the futures markets
  • Marketing to Independent Retailers
  • N.C. MarketReady Fresh Produce Safety training
  • NC Cooperative Extension - Buncombe County Office
  • NC Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides incentive payments and cost-shares to implement conservation practices
  • NC MarketReady Toolkit for Farm Enterprises
  • NC Organic - information on certification, production, marketing for North Carolina farmers
  • National Agricultural Center sponsored by the EPA
  • National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
  • North Carolina Agricultural International Trade Office
  • North Carolina Agriculture Cost Share Program for best management practices
  • North Carolina Pesticide Safety Education
  • OSHA Safety and Health Topics for Agriculture
  • OSHA e-tool for agricultural hazards
  • Online food safety certification courses from NCSU Extension Program
  • Organic Transition Course for agriculture
  • Organic marketing resources
  • Organic or conventional? Crop conversion calculator
  • Post-Harvest Handling Decision Tool for vegetables
  • Producer grants from SARE
  • Promote your farm on BuyAppalachian.org
  • RAFI's Farm Sustainability Program
  • Raising pasture animals? Promote your business on ncchoices.com
  • Register as an exporter with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
  • Regulatory Information for the Agriculture Sector
  • RightRisk: Simulation software to evaluate agriculture and ranching risk
  • RiskNavigator: Strategic Risk Management for Agriculture
  • Safety video clips for agriculture
  • Sample business plans and other resources for farms and ranches
  • Sell direct? Add your farm to the North Carolina Farm Fresh Program
  • Small Dairy Pasteurizer Loan Program
  • Small farm funding resources
  • Southern US Trade Association export assistance for agriculture
  • Specialty Crop Grant Program
  • Strategic Business Planning for Commercial Producers from Purdue University
  • Sustainable agriculture workshops
  • Taxes for Agriculture
  • The Farmer's Guide to Agricultural Credit
  • Trade Adjustment support for shrimp, asparagus and catfish industries
  • US Fair Labor Standards for Agricultural Workers
  • USDA Loans for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
  • Western North Carolina Marketing Center in Asheville

Tourism and Hospitality

  • AH&LA Green Resource Center
  • Accident prevention program, best practices, shoe policies and other safety resources for restaurants.
  • Advertising and marketing opportunities with the North Carolina Tourism Services
  • Best practices for the hotel industry
  • Choking poster for restaurants
  • Compliance resources for North Carolina's Smoke Free Restaurants, Bars & Lodging Law
  • ConServe Solutions for Sustainability: Virtual Green Restaurant
  • Customer Service for Front-Line Employees - also Native American & Spanish versions and Supervisor version
  • Develop a HACCP program for your food service operation
  • Eight-Step Approach to Controlling Food Cost: a training program for managers and employees
  • Emergency action plan for restaurants
  • Employee handbook template and standard operating procedure for restaurants
  • Energy Star for the Hospitality Industry
  • Ergonomics for restaurants, hotel room attendants, landscapers
  • Ergonomics poster for small restaurants
  • Federal menu labeling requirements for chain restaurants (20+ locations)
  • For your employees: Tested Techniques to Increase Tips
  • Forecast your hotel revenue: a tool from Cornell University
  • Free business tools developed by Cornell Center for Hospitality Research
  • Free restaurant safety training program
  • Golf.visitnc.com promotes golf opportunities in North Carolina
  • HR Products from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
  • Handouts in food safety in various languages
  • Hazard checklists for food service, housekeeping, laundry, walkways, stairs
  • Hospitality I-Coach
  • How much is your business worth? Hospitality Valuation Software from Cornell University
  • How to Comply with the Americans with Disability Act: A Guide for Restaurants
  • How to Start a Restaurant guide from allfoodbusiness.com
  • IRS Restaurant Tax Center
  • Innkeepers Startup Kit from the North Carolina Bed and Breakfasts and Inns
  • Managing your wine cellar: a tool from Cornell University
  • Math in Hospitality and other free online hospitality courses
  • NC.visitnc.com promotes North Carolina's wine tasting businesses
  • North Carolina Hospitality - 8 hour training
  • North Carolina Hospitality customer training program
  • North Carolina Tourism Services for the travel, wine, film and sports industries
    ....Post your special offers online
    ....Promote your tourist-related business.
  • North Carolina law: Online travel companies must pay room tax based on full amount charged to customer
  • North Carolina requires bars and restaurants to have a recycling program
  • Online courses from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
  • Promote your business on ncblueridge.com
  • Promote your business on www.exploreasheville.com
  • Promote your business with Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Reducing Waste and Discharges
  • Restaurant Loss Prevention Program from Farmers Insurance
  • Restaurant Table-Mix Optimizer: a tool from Cornell University
  • Restaurant feasibility tool
  • Restaurant loss control toolkit from Farmers Insurance
  • Sample emergency action plan for retail food operations
  • Sample employee evaluation form for food service employees
  • Seafood Watch: Encouraging restaurants and retailers to sell sustainable fish
  • Setting hotel room pricing for Priceline: a tool from Cornell University
  • Spa and Hospitality Operations - free online course
  • Staff turnover cost evaluator: a tool from Cornell University
  • Sustainable Resources for the North Carolina Tourism Industry
  • Teen Worker Safety in Restaurants
  • Templates for restaurant management
  • USDA food safety resources
  • Workforce staffing optimizer tool from Cornell University

Manufacturing

  • 100+ free videos for lean manufacturing and lean enterprise excellence
  • APICS - Ashland Chapter: Supply Chain Management training
  • BTEC bioprocess and analytic services
  • Best Manufacturing Practices: Center of Excellence
  • Best Practices Industrial Technologies Training from US Department of Energy
  • E3: Economy Energy Environment Program from NC State University
  • Export information for manufacturers
  • Free e-newsletter notifying you of proposed regulations for foreign and domestic products
  • Free energy assessments from North Carolina State University Industrial Assessment Center
  • Industrial Ergonomics Process Workshop from NC State University
  • Industrial energy savings software from the US Department of Energy
  • Interactive energy management tool from University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  • Introduction to Lean Six Sigma video series
  • Lean Production / Lean Manufacturing Tutorial
  • Manufacturer negatively impacted by imports? SETAAC: Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center
  • Manufacturing best practices assessment and other tools
  • NC State Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center - short classes
  • North Carolina Center for Innovation Management
    ....Networking to share best practices
    ....On-site, customized innovation management workshops
  • Online engineering classes from NC State University
  • Online training in inventory and supply chain management from APICS
  • Polymers Center of Excellence: training, testing and troubleshooting
  • Preventing employee exposure to unguarded or inadequately guarded machines
  • Regulatory Information for Manufacturers
  • Safety Begins with ME! Free industrial safety program (4 hour of videos)
  • Self-assessment workbook for small manufacturers: Best practices
  • Solutions for manufacturers from NC Industrial Extension Service
  • ToolingU Online job-specific training for industry
  • US EPA Lean and Environment Toolkit for Manufacturers
  • Want to expand your manufacturing facilities? Blue Ridge Advanced Manufacturing Initiative can help

Wood Industry

  • Best Management Practices for Forestry
  • First-Year Safety Program for loggers
  • Free calculators and software for the lumber industry
  • Income Opportunities in Special Forest Products - a report from the USDA
  • Injury Prevention Resources for Wood Products Manufacturing - Sawmills
  • Logging information from Cooperative Extension
  • Looking to collaborate to get a competitive edge? Here's help
  • Lumber and wood calculators
  • Marketing and personal selling for the Forest Products Industry
  • North Carolina Wood Products Extension Service
  • OSHA safety and health topics for logging
  • Oregon State: Wood Science & Engineering Continuing Education courses
  • Pollution Prevention for the wood furniture industry
  • Regulatory Information for the Forest Sector
  • Regulatory Information for the Pulp/ Paper/ Lumber Sector
  • Resources for Entrepreneurs from the Oregon Wood Innovation Center
  • Rough Mill Operator's Guide from NC State University
  • US Forest Products Laboratory Technology Marketing Unit
  • Value-added resources for the Wood and Forestry industry
  • Wood Composite Science Short Course for manufacturers
  • Wood-based entrepreneurs Toolkit: Strategic Marketing

Health Industry

  • As it Should be Done: 24 minute video to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens
  • CMS Medicare Learning Network
  • Ergonomic Injury Prevention in Healthcare Service
  • Forms and checklists for medical practices
  • HIPAA Privacy Essentials for the Physician's Office
  • HIPAA privacy requirements
    ....Powerpoint presentations explaining HIPAA privacy requirements
    ....Summary of the law plus sample HIPAA document
  • Implementing a Quality Improvement Program
  • Information for Medicare providers (go to bottom to browse by provider type)
  • Lean Six Sigma in HealthCare
  • Nursing Home OSHA e-tool
  • OSHA e-tools for hospitals and nursing homes
  • OSHA resources for health care workers
  • OSHA's Hazard Identification Software for Long Term Health Care Facilities
  • Patient safety toolkit
  • Quality improvement assistance from North Carolina State Industrial Extension Services
  • Quick Start: OSHA information for the Health Care Industry
  • TriCare: If you are providing services to current military, veterans or their families
  • e-Med Entrepreneur website for the medical entrepreneurship community
Youth in Entrepreneurship

  • 4-H curriculum for entrepreneurship
  • Annual Youth Entrepreneurship Conference at Fayetteville State Center for Innovation
  • BOSS toolkit for youth - Business Outreach Support Services
  • Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization
  • Exploring Entrepreneurship
  • Get aHead for Business, high school curriculum
  • Getting Started as an Entrepreneur: A Guide for Students (with innovative ideas)
  • Hop on the Bus: High School business plan competition
  • Hot Shot Business from Disney
  • Industry Masters Entrepreneurial Business Simulation Games (fee)
  • Mind Your Own Business
  • More business simulation games
    ....Pricing, cash and valuation simulation games
    ....Running a restaurant simulation game
  • North Carolina High School Business Plan Competition
  • NxLevel: Get the Buzz on Biz - curriculum for youth
  • REAL Youth Entrepreneurship Camp
  • Skills and Talents Required for Entrepreneurship
  • Student Business Incubator Program for A-B Tech students
  • Summer entrepreneurship camps for middle and high school students
  • Teaching entrepreneurism: A sample curriculum from Millersville University
  • Teen Business Link from the SBA
  • The Trading Game: international trade game from the IMF
  • Titan business simulation game

Retail Industry

  • 10 Ways to Improve Customer Loyalty from American Business Advisors, Inc.
  • 40 Ways To Improve Retail Profit Margins from POWER Retailing, Inc
  • Accurate demand planning and forecasting
  • Attracting customers with effective merchandising
  • Communication for Retail Managers free online course
  • Creating Loyal Customers for Associates free online class
  • Formulas to calculate key retail ratios
  • Key financial benchmarks for retail segments
  • Low cost retail training
  • Marketing checklist for small retailers
  • Master merchandising online class from the Maine SBDC
  • No Tobacco under 18: WeCard training
  • Online courses on consultative selling, handling complaints, suggestive selling and more
  • Online courses on financial and loss prevention for the retail industry
  • Plan and control your inventory
  • Preventing Vendor Fraud and Theft
  • Retail Essentials: How to Open and Run a Successful Retail Store
  • Retail Lease Primer for Gift Shop Owners
  • Retail Math
  • Retail security and loss prevention ideas from ADT
  • Shoplifting information for retailers
  • Shoplifting prevention ideas from Seattle Police
  • Starting a retail business from scratch - information from Sandhills SCORE
  • Store benchmark ratios from members of the Retail Owners Institute
  • Typical commercial lease terms

Business of Art

  • Artist INC - online business training for artists from ArtsKC
    ....
    ....
  • Artists located in the River Arts District: Promote your work on www.riverartsdistrict.com
  • Business software for artists (fee)
  • Call for Entry - a website sponsored by Western States Art Federation
  • Creative Capital: financial and advisory support to develop a sustainable career for artists
  • Do you produce art or fine crafts? Mountain Made Gallery
  • Do you want to join the NC Touring Artists Directory?
  • Emergency financial support and relief for artists from CERF+
  • Helping Artisans Reach Global Markets: free e-learning course
  • Information about the business of Art from www.gyst-ink.com
  • Media Arts Project MAP
  • Promote your work on southernartistry.org
  • Register with Handmade in America
  • Studio Protector: an artists guide to emergency
  • Tax and deduction information, checklists and worksheets for artists

 
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