Entrepreneurs find affordable advice, assistance at SBA Development Centers

Entrepreneurs can get business formation advice and assistance from local offices of the U.S. Small Business Administration Development Centers, where counselors offer help with everything from acquiring financing to ongoing management training.

With more than 900 centers spread throughout all 50 states, the SBA Development Centers can help the entrepreneur looking for startup capital – or the seasoned business owner apply for refinancing. All the services are free.

Community and state colleges host many of the centers, where business owners can find training, workshops, consulting and assistance with SBA loan applications.

One entrepreneur, Volkan Muti, wanted to open a restaurant, but didn’t know what to do about taxes or startup capital. He went to the SBA Development Center and got the help and financing he needed.

“When I went to them, I had a location, knew the neighborhood and knew the clientele I was after,” Muti told the New York Daily News. “But I hadn’t prepared for all the lawyers, real estate taxes and other licenses.”

The SBA Development Center, funded by the federal government and private sponsors, offers services without charge for anyone seeking small business advice without the ability to pay for private consultants.