With so many concerns running a modern business, it can be hard for a owner to find the help they need to grow. That's why the Sparks Chamber provides a Business Resource guide to help you find the tools and resources needed to succeed. Whether dealing with state law, county permits, business finance, real estate, taxes, H&R or whatever your concerns might be, we are here to connect you to organizations to help you bridge the gap. The following list of resources is compiled from a article written Dave Archer, CEO of NCET, Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology.

EDAWN – Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada
EDAWN provides assistance to local companies that want to expand, and offers advice and guidance on business incentives and assistance programs that may be available to help your business grow and prosper.

MAP – Management Assistance Partnership
MAP helps you streamline operations, apply the most up-to-date and sophisticated technology, provide managerial assistance and train your workforce.

Insurance Producers
Here is the member list of insurance companies providing discounts to fellow members. Consider this list for insurance discounts.

NCED – Nevada Commission on Economic Development
NCED provides the help that you need to grow your business and market your products and services to national and international audiences.

NCET – Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology
NCET’s programs encourage Nevadans to start businesses, and connect you to the resources you need to succeed.

NMI – Nevada Microenterprise Initiative
NMI provides business tools to assist you in overcoming barriers you may face in starting or expanding your business. NMI offers business training, business loans and great networking opportunities.

NSBDC – Nevada Small Business Development Center
NSBDC provide an abundance of free and low cost information, assistance, counseling and training for Nevada Businesses.

SBA – US Small Business Administration
The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses, and provides SBA-backed loans, government contracting opportunities, disaster assistance and training programs to help your business succeed.

SCORE – Service Corp of Retired Executives
SCORE is a nationwide organization of active and retired businessmen and women, with over 30 local volunteer counselors who provide free business counseling, free orientation workshops, and low cost seminars in Sparks, Reno, Lake Tahoe, Carson City, and Carson Valley.

SBA – US Small Business Administration
In last month’s News and Views, I gave a brief overview of the many “Alphabet Soup” agencies available to help small businesses and aspiring small business owners. Starting this month, I’ll focus on one or two agencies and describe the specifi c services they offer and how to contact them.

USDA – US Department of Agriculture
Along with many other programs, the USDA provides grants and loan guarantees to agricultural producers, businesses and cooperatives located in rural communities to purchase renewable energy systems and make other energy effi ciency improvements, to increase the economic viability of biomass projects, and to finance energy technology.

WIN – Western Industrial Nevada
we are an eclectic group of business people, concerned citizens and go-getters who have banded together to bring about knowledge, possibilities and change. We are northern Nevada's most well-balanced organization providing an optimal networking environment for more than 500 community and business leaders on the move.

First up is the Nevada Commission on Economic Development (NCED), the State of Nevada’s offi cial business resource. NCED’s programs are designed to remove barriers and help your business achieve success. NCED provides the help you need to grow your business and market your products and services to national and international audiences.

Contact:
Nevada Commission on Economic Development
108 E. Proctor Street
Carson City, NV 89701
www.Expand2Nevada.com
(775) 687-4325

Here’s an overview of some of NCED’s key programs:
Made in Nevada (MIN) is an association of business, agriculture and governmental entities working together to develop awareness and to promote the purchase of products manufactured and crafted in Nevada. Made in Nevada businesses are listed on the MIN Website, giving you the ability to connect to people seeking information about the products you offer. Select members are also featured in the highly successful Nevada Spirit magazine.

Contact:
Lynette Castillo
Business Development Specialist
lcastillo@bizopp.state.nv.us
(775) 687-4325
www.expand2nevada.com/made.html

Procurement Outreach Program (POP) works to increase the flow of contract dollars to Nevada businesses by providing the necessary training and technical assistance to fi nd, bid on and acquire federal, state and local contracts. Many businesses consider the idea of selling their products or services to government much too
complicated and overwhelming. POP helps simplify the process and cut through the red tape, connecting Nevada businesses with lucrative opportunities.

Contact:
Kathy Agee
Deputy Director, Procurement Outreach
kagee@bizopp.state.nv.us
(775) 687-1813
www.expand2nevada.com/procurement.html

The Global Trade and Investment (GTI) programs are aimed at helping you expand into international markets. GTI offers programs designed to assess your readiness – and potential for success – in exporting products or services. GTI’s services can also be used by existing exporters to enter new or unfamiliar markets.

GTI can assist you with International Trade Shows and Trade Missions, and it maintains a network of nine international trade representative offi ces throughout the world. GTI’s Web site offers a directory of Nevada exporters in a searchable database; Nevada’s trade statistics; a listing of foreign companies in Nevada; trade links to sources for exporting assistance; and a listing of the supported trade shows, trade missions and events.

Contact:
Al DiStefano
Director, Global Trade and Investment
ccintl@bizopp.state.nv.us
(775) 687-1813
www.expand2nevada.com/globaltrade.html

From economic modeling to trend analysis, the Business Development and Research Division provides a variety of information services to multiple clients. The division also coordinates Nevada’s business incentive programs, which include:
        • Sales and Use Tax Abatement
        • Sales and Use Tax Deferral Program
        • Property Tax Abatement
        • Modifi ed Business Tax Abatement
        • Train Employees Now (TEN)
        • Property Tax Abatement for Recycling/Retail Wheeling
        • Renewable Energy Abatements

Contact:
Ken Pierson
Business Development Director
Business Development & Incentives
kpierson@bizopp.state.nv.us
(775) 687-4325
http://www.expand2nevada.com/development.html

Nevada’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology is a statewide nonprofi t organization that encourages people to start their own businesses and connects them with the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit www.ncet.org.