Columbus OH
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Assistance for Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

City of Columbus – Small Business

Through the office of the Small Business Concierge, they offer free business resources that help with crafting a sound business and marketing plan, finding the right employees, obtaining financing, and how to properly account for a business.
111 North Front Street, 8th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-8616
columbus.gov/development/economic-development/Small-Business

Columbus Chamber of Commerce

Provides business support to local businesses in the Columbus region. Some membership services include business connections, market research and consultation, information on policy updates, workforce recruitment and more.
150 South Front Street, Suite 220, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 221-1321
columbus.org
Membership Benefits: columbus.org/membership

Columbus Urban League (CUL)

A community‐based, non‐profit, advocacy organization that works to empower African Americans and marginalized groups through economic, educational and social progress with programs, classes and services. Visit the website to learn more about the different programs that fall under these six categories:

788 Mount Vernon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 257-6300
cul.org

ECDI

Is a non-profit organization that serves low-moderate income individuals, minorities, women, immigrants, and refugees, and those otherwise precluded from funding from a traditional financial institution. They serve a one-stop resource center, offering small business loans, education and mentoring, and general business support services.
1655 Old Leonard Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 559-0115 or (888) 210-3039
ecdi.org
ecdi.org/columbus

Franklin County Food Business Portal

Is a free one-stop collection of resources, information and services to help Franklin County entrepreneurs successfully plan, launch, and grow their food business. They offer both no-cost business advising and no-cost farm advising. Visit the website for contact information. The Food Business Portal is an initiative of the Columbus & Franklin County Local Food Action Plan.
fcfoodbusinessportal.org

Office of Opportunities for New Americans

Brings together resources to support immigrants integrate in to society and economic success. Programs that are provided include online job listings, English language learning, education and training, and ways to grow a business.
newamericans.ohio.gov/

Ohio Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

The Certified Business Advisors that staff the SBDC offer integrated services to meet the needs of experienced small business owners and individual entrepreneurs in all industries, at all stages of business development. Some of the services they provide include: free, one-on-one business advising, workshops and training programs, business planning, specialty programs for Latinos/Latinas, and more. They serve a nine county district including Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Logan, Madison, Pickaway and Union counties.
Physical Address: 320 North Grant Avenue, Suite 1062, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Mailing Address: 550 East Spring Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 287-5294
sbdccolumbus.com

Ohio.gov – Business

This website provides information about starting, managing, and growing your business in Ohio with resources from Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA), Ohio Business Gateway, and the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (ODAS).
business.ohio.gov

SCORE Columbus

A non-profit organization that helps small business owners and entrepreneurs get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through workshops and webinars, free mentorship from volunteer mentors, and free business tools, templates and tips. They offer their services at no charge or at very low cost.
65 East State Street, Suite 1350, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 664-7267
columbusoh.score.org

Social Enterprise Accelerator (SEA) Change

Provide training to help social entrepreneurs develop sustainability, determine their meaningful social impact, and access the tools they need to successfully launch their business. Their 14-module curriculum includes topics such as business model design, financial modeling, raising funds; measuring, monitoring and communicating impact, marketing and more.
(614) 515-0919
seachng.org

Social Ventures

Offers resources, programs, workshops and accelerators on social enterprise and acts as a primary network for social enterprise activity in Central Ohio. Visit their marketplace to find local social enterprise that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human and environmental well-being.
(614) 208-5403
socialventurescbus.com

St. John Learning Center

Offers free adult education, entrepreneurial skills training and job search support. They also provide a Start Your Own Business/Small Business workshop series and mental health workshops.
640 South Ohio Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 547-2171
stjohnlearning.wordpress.com

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

Help small business owners and entrepreneurs by providing counseling and training, capital/funding support, contracting expertise, advocacy and more.
409 Third Street, Southwest, Washington, DC 20416
(800) 827-5722 or (855) 440-4960 VP
Additional Contacts: sba.gov/about-sba/sba-locations/headquarters-offices
sba.gov

Women’s Small Business Accelerator (WSBA)

Is a non-profit business accelerator that provides education, peer support, mentoring, and accountability to help women on their entrepreneurial journey, to start and grow their own business. They also provide tools and business resources.
25 North Street, Dublin, Ohio 43017
(614) 414-2449
wsbaohio.org

Central Ohio Public Libraries

Visit your local library to get access to free books, music, movies and documentaries. Some of the libraries listed will also have group reading times for children, homework help, job and business help, and fun events for people of all ages and more. Contact your local library to confirm what services they are currently offering.

Here is a map of all Ohio public libraries from Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)oplin.org/fal

Franklin County

Delaware County

Fairfield County

Hocking County

Licking County

Madison County

Morrow County

Perry County

Pickaway County

Union County


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