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Resources for New Cobb Business Owners

              Cobb County is home to more than 100 of the Fortune 500 companies, and over 80,000 individual firms. Our infrastructure offers a welcoming community for new businesses to settle into. Starting or relocating a business can be hard, but small business owners have access to many resources online. The Cobb Chamber of Commerce advocates for over 2,500 local businesses, and offers a variety of services and resources on their website. A comprehensive list of business resources is available at http://www.cobbchamber.org/Business-Resources/Business-Resource-Center.aspx.

One resource mentioned in the Cobb Chamber’s resource list is Kennesaw State University’s online courses on small business development. Courses are offered for as low as $29.00 and cover topics like business plan writing and online marketing. Browse these options, offered in partnership with UGA’s Small Business Development center, at https://epay.kennesaw.edu/C20923_ustores/web/classic/store_cat.jsp?STOREID=126&CATID=402.

Financing new businesses can be a struggle, but there are many places to look for microloans to get your business started. One local organization, Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, Inc. (ACE), provides microloans in the Metro-Atlanta community and throughout North Georgia. Their goal is to provide “community economic development to underserved people and communities”. Since 2000, ACE has made more than $49 million in loans and created or retained more than 6,900 jobs. Get in contact with ACE by emailing info@aceloans.org or calling 678-335-5600 for more information. Apply for a specific loan to help finance your business at https://aceloans.org/apply-for-a-loan/. The Georgia Department of Economic Development has more information on microloans and Community Development Financial Institutions at http://www.georgia.org/small-business/finance/micro-loans-cdfi/, as well as a guide to starting your own small business at http://www.georgia.org/small-business/start/. In addition to the many local resources, federal grants and loans may be available to you and your business. Visit http://www.georgia.org/small-business/finance/federal-grants-and-loans/ to learn more.

With starting a business comes the process of licensing. This is handled under the Secretary of State’s office, which offers a guide to meeting state regulations on their website at http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/corporations/first_stop_business_guide. The Secretary of State’s First Stop Business Information Center may be able to answer any licensing questions at (404) 656-2817.

 

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