LCD Resources

Financial Resources

Individual Development Accounts (IDAs)

IDAs are matched savings accounts that enable you to save and build assets. IDAs encourage savings by matching participant deposits 3:1, which then are invested in the following assets: To start or expand a small business. The match amount is $3000 per twelve month period or a total of $9000 for 36 months.

CapitalLink

CapitalLink provides access to small loans; first time loans up to $10,000 and growth loans up to $25,000 (for those that successfully pay their original loans). Interest rate is up to 12%.

Marketing Resources

MarketLink

MarketLink is a free service that provides comprehensive market research services to microentrepreneurs. It helps you target consumers or specific businesses. For example, if you own a pet store you can get a list of people who own pets in your area. Or you can find out about your competitors - businesses who sell the same things as you do in your town, county, state, etc.

Other Resources

Business plan assistance and review

Various entrepreneurial and business trainings/workshops

This includes Made at the Kitchen Table™ Workshops for home-based entrepreneurs who want to learn about costing, pricing, quality control, and some marketing and collaboration techniques for their product. Also offered are business forums with panel experts and employer/employee trainings covering many issues.

Business-related books and magazines