SBA’s Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a national nonprofit association with a goal of helping small business. SCORE members donate their time and experience to counsel individuals regarding small business matters. For more information on SCORE, write to them at 409 Third Street SW, Fourth Floor, Washington, D.C. 20024, or call 800-634-0245. Their Internet address is http://www.score.org.

The 700 Business Development Centers (BDCs) are regional centers funded by the SBA and managed in conjunction with regional colleges. A BDC offers free and confidential counseling for small business owners and managers, new businesses, home businesses and individuals with questions concerning retail, service, wholesale, manufacturing and farm businesses. BDCs sponsor seminars on various business topics, assist in developing business and marketing plans, inform entrepreneurs of employer requirements and teach cash flow budgeting and management. BDCs also gather information sources, assist in locating business resources, and make referrals.

Small Business Institutes (SBIs) are partnerships between the SBA and nearly 500 colleges offering counseling services to area businesses. SBIs conduct market research, develop business and marketing plans and help small businesses work out manufacturing problems. Contact your regional SBA office to find out if a local college has such a program. You could get free or low-cost assistance from the college’s business faculty and students.