Rhode Island Department of State
Gregg M. Amore

Phone: 401-226-0077 Website: www.riscore.org

SCORE’s business experts offer real-world advice and know-how. The counselors represent every business area. A SCORE business professional can answer your questions in a face-to-face, confidential consultation.

Services offered:

• Start-up Assistance
• Business Planning
• Financing
• Managing a Business
• Managing Employees
• Customer Relations
• Accounting/Budgeting
• Cash-flow Management
• Tax Planning
• Marketing, Sales and Communications
• Government Contracting
• Franchising
• International Trade
• Buying & Selling a Business
• Information Technology and Computing
• eCommerce
• Legal Issues (e.g., incorporation)

Phone: 401-874-7232 Website: www.risbdc.org

The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBDC) at the University of Rhode Island provides local small business owners with the services and expertise they need to succeed including no-cost expert counseling, relevant training and access to important resources.

Services Offered:

• Business Planning
• Financial Statement Development
• Loan Application Preparation
• Establishing Your Business
• Strategic Planning
• Marketing and Brand Building
• Licenses, Permits and Business Regulations
• International Trade Assistance 

Phone: 401-277-0800 Website: www.cweonline.org/our-centers/cwe-rhode-island

CWE offers education, training, technical assistance, women's business enterprise certification and access to both debt and equity capital to entrepreneurs at every stage of business development.

Services offered:

• Education & Training
• Online Learning
• Financial Education & Support
• Networking Opportunities
• Consulting & Mentoring

Phone: 401-278-9100 Website: commerceri.com

Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is a quasi-public organization that offers a broad portfolio of client services and financing programs to help companies — both big and small — grow.

Services offered:

• Locate Resources and Financing
• Creating a Productive Timeline
• Incentives
• Resource Network

Phone: 401-528-4561 Website: www.sba.gov

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

Services Offered:

• Financial assistance for new or existing businesses through guaranteed loans made by area bank and non-bank lenders.
• Free counseling, advice and information on starting, better operating or expanding a small business through (SCORE) Counselors to America’s Small Business.
• Assistance to businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals through the Minority Enterprise Development Program.
• Women's Business Ownership Representatives are available to advise women business owners.
• Special loan programs are available for businesses involved in international trade.
• If you're a veteran, you can get business counseling and information about SBA guaranteed loans.

Phone: 401-222-6398 Website: odeo.ri.gov

MBECO promotes the development of certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE).

Services offered:

• Certification
• Enforcement
• Business Assistance
• Advocacy

Goals of the office:

• Increasing the number of MBE, WBE, VBE and DBE firms available for contract competition.
• Fostering relationships between MBE, WBE, VBE and DBE firms with state agencies, quasi-state agencies, purchasing agents and prime vendors.
• Providing opportunities for growth and development of MBE, WBE, VBE and DBE firms.
• Ensuring compliance with the participation of MBE, WBE, VBE and DBE firms on all state procurement activities.

Phone: 401-232-6407 Website: chafeecenter.bryant.edu

The Chafee Center houses the World Trade Center and Export Assistance Center for the state of Rhode Island. The center provides comprehensive services on all aspects of international trade including trade data, training, consulting, trade show and trade mission support.

Services offered:

• International Market Research
• Market Entry Strategies
• Developing global pricing models
• SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats)
• International Business Plan Writing
• Assessment of Global Supply Chain Strategy

Chambers of Commerce are associations designed to promote and protect the interests of the business community. Chambers monitor important issues, legislation and business trends within your specific community. They also offer networking opportunities. Did you know consumers are more likely to do business with a company if it’s a member of their local chamber of commerce?

Block Island
401-462-2982
www.blockislandchamber.com

Central Rhode Island
401-732-1100
www.centralrichamber.com

Charlestown
401-364-3878
www.charlestownrichamber.com

East Bay
401-245-0750
www.eastbaychamberri.org

East Greenwich
401-885-0020
www.eastgreenwichchamber.com

East Providence
401-438-1212
www.eastprovidenceareachamber.com

Greater Cranston
401-785-3780
www.cranstonchamber.com/BoardofDirectors/

Greater Providence
401-521-5000
www.provchamber.com

Ocean Community
401-596-7761
www.westerlychamber.org

RI Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
401-400-1340
www.rihispanicchamber.org

Jamestown
401-423-3650
www.jamestownrichamber.com

Narragansett
401-783-7121
www.narragansettcoc.com

Newport County
401-847-1608
www.newportchamber.com

North Kingstown
401-295-5566
www.northkingstown.com

Northern Rhode Island
401-334-1000
www.nrichamber.com

Southern Rhode Island
401-783-2801
www.skchamber.com