Small Business Resources
Kentucky Business Resources
Kentucky One Stop Business Portal
An easy-to-website where Kentucky's businesses can find the requirements and tools they need to own and operate a business in Kentucky.
SBA Kentucky Start Up Guide (PDF)
Kentucky Small Business Assistance
Kentucky SBIR-STTR Matching Funds Program
The Kentucky SBIR/STTR Resource Center offers to help Kentucky innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology-oriented small businesses (i.e. 500 or fewer people) who have an innovative concept and need to advance it, translate it into a product or a technology for commercialization, and profit from it.
Small Business Resource Center
General Business Resources
The following online resources provide valuable information on starting a business.
U.S. Business Advisor
Answers to commonly asked questions, step-by-step guides, grants, and legal and regulatory information.
Entrepreneur.com
Tips and trends on all aspects of business start-up and growth.
IRS: Virtual Small Business Workshop
A series of videos on topics by IRS instructors, including payroll taxes, electronic filing, and record-keeping.
Minority Business Development Agency (US Dept. of Commerce)
Provides free business tools and educational resources.
Nolo: Law for All
Information on small-business legal structures, business taxes, protecting intellectual property, and other legal issues.
Small Business Administration
Provides free online training and resources for business start-ups.
Shoretel
Key websites with guidelines for developing a business plan. Examples from SBA, Entrepreneur.com, and other sites.
Also see TVA’s Best Sites for Entrepreneurs, a list of sites with a regional, national, or global focus on developing entrepreneurship.
Annuity.org
http://www.annuity.org/life-after-selling/investing-business/
http://www.annuity.org/life-after-selling/investing-business/#startupcosts
Franchising Resources
SBA.frannet.com
The introduction to franchising course, Franchising Basics, a free online seminar which provides three key sections that examine more than 10 essential areas relating to franchising, including Is Franchising Right for You and How to Choose the Right Franchise. The course also covers franchising options, strategies for growth, and pitfalls to avoid.
FranNet.com
FranNet provides no-cost guidance, information and support to individuals who are interested in purchasing a franchised business.
Franchise.org
The International Franchise Association is a great source of franchise information and resources to research, grow, or join your favorite franchise business.
Exporting Resources
Additional Resources
How to Build and Online Store with Shopify
Regional Business Development Organizations
The following organizations serve Christian County and the surrounding region with business development guidance and/or financial resources.
Minority Economic Development Initiative of Western Kentucky
1101A South Main Street, Hopkinsville
Director: Henry Snorton
270-885-8885
MSU Small Business Development Center
2800 Fort Campbell Blvd., Hopkinsville
Consultant: Sarah Pearson Brown
270.809.2856
sbrown39@murraystate.edu
District Director: Chris Wooldridge
270.809.2856
chris.wooldridge@murraystate.edu
Pennyrile Area Development District Revolving Loan Fund
300 Hammond Dr. Hopkinsville
Contact: Jason Vincent
270-886-9484
jason.vincent@ky.gov
Hopkinsville Downtown Renaissance
270-887-4285
Director: Holly Boggess
hboggess@comdev-services.com
Kentucky Innovation Network at Murray State University
formerly the Regional Business and Innovation Center
270-809-6070
Director: Loretta Daniel
ldaniel@murraystate.edu