Chapter 3: Technology, Business,
and Management Assistance
Because of their success in job creation and technological innovation, small manufacturers have become the vanguard of growth and competitiveness in the U.S. economy. Federal technical assistance programs, therefore, typically concentrate on helping smaller firms, those with fewer than 500 employees. Small enterprises have enormous potential to stimulate economic growth, but they also have the greatest need for technical or management advice or links to financial support.
Local development officials, as well as technology transfer experts, need to recognize that manufacturers often require a variety of information and assistance not directly related to product design and production. These needs can include sales and marketing advice, guidance in crafting and carrying out a sensible business plan, leads for exporting opportunities, or information about personnel hiring and training.
In recent years, federal officials have made great strides in devising and delivering effective business assistance programs, broadening the scope and increasing the sophistication of these initiatives. Their efforts have become more user-friendly, more usable, and more timely and relevant. They aim to offset labor, capital, and managerial imperfections found in both new and existing firms. These programs are increasingly activist, rely on the growing level of public-sector technical expertise, and emphasize "home-grown" economic development activities rather business attraction from elsewhere. Federal technology, business, and management assistance programs have been created to stimulate viable business activity for both start-ups and expansions. These support initiatives have four broad goals.
Increase the new business birth rate. Federal programs encourage emerging enterprises, especially manufacturing operations, by helping with crucial elements such as access to technology.
Nurture budding small firms to help assure their survival. Technical assistance initiatives can increase the survival odds for small businesses by confronting the most common causes of failure, notably, poor management and accounting practices, weak marketing, and staffing difficulties.
Ease the expansion process for firms already established. In many cases, this step builds on the other two, helping firms that successfully have overcome start-up hurdles prepare to expand. In others, federal programs can provide a reliable, neutral source of information for plant owners or managers facing critical decisions about modernization or diversification. Support efforts take on a new character at this stage; successfully meeting the development needs of a maturing company brings real payoffs in jobs and tax revenues.
Help new and small manufacturers access the technology they need. Small enterprises will continue to be key employers and important job generators. If Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) staff or other technical service providers can help these firms adapt newer, more productive technologies, their ability to sustain markets and retain jobs will be strengthened, and they can continue to play an important role in community economies. Many of these companies have been founded and operated by entrepreneurs who have good ideas about what will work or sell in their area. Often, however, these entrepreneurs do not have access to the technical facilities, information, and similar resources necessary to develop, produce, and market the next generation of products or services for their traditional customer niches. A key role of federal programs, therefore, is to help such companies better understand how they can use technology to ensure that their products remain competitive in the eyes of customers locally and in the global marketplace.
Prevent closings and relocations with preplanned interventions. Business retention is a crucial but often overlooked factor in maintaining the economic base of a city or state. In such situations, program expertise can serve as an information lifeline for troubled firms, helping them overcome identified difficulties and anticipate their needs. When long-time shop owners finally confront issues such as erosion of their customer base and obsolete production processes, they often have no place to turn for help. Given their broad web of contacts, federal program staff may be able to help these industrialists develop new products and seek new markets, as well as work with creditors and suppliers to help ease the company's transition and buy it some breathing room. Technology transfer typically surfaces as a major barrier for these companies; federal programs can play an important role by linking the firms to the expertise and resources they need to surmount this barrier.
Good technology, business, and management assistance can improve business efficiency and profitability. For the many small manufacturers — machine shops, foundries, and metal workers, for example — that are owner-operated and have small profit margins, savings of as little as a few thousand dollars can have big impacts. Public program officials can improve the economic climate for these firms by serving as a conduit to needed assistance services; in fact, many of the most successful program staff are generalists skilled in obtaining good, affordable technical assistance quickly.
Manufacturers should note that, as the information superhighway is being built on a grander scale, many federal agencies now are able to offer practical, technical information to address an array of business needs and concerns. In particular, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Small Business Administration (SBA) can provide valuable counseling and guidance to manufacturers as part of their larger program efforts. The profiles that comprise this section focus largely on programs operated by these agencies, which have established delivery systems as well as important links to state, university, and other information resources.
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
| Objective: | To provide a nationwide network of services to assist small manufacturing establishments adopt modern technologies and business practices. |
| Eligibility: | U.S.-based manufacturing firms with 500 employees or less. |
| Cost: | Fee structures for client firms vary widely, depending on the service(s) requested and the local center that is involved. |
| Services: | Technical assistance for improving productivity and efficiency. |
Description
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) — a program of the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology — is a growing network of services to help small manufacturers become more globally competitive. MEP links federal support with state and local organizations to assist small manufacturers in adopting modern technologies and business practices. Services are locally determined to best address the specific needs of area manufacturers. At the same time, MEP is developing common tools and resources to address the common challenges faced by all U.S. manufacturers.
The MEP program is based on the idea that smaller firms are unable to realize their full potential because of a lack of access to technological resources. They often are isolated from other manufacturers, and often are unaware of changing technology and business practices. By giving manufacturers greater opportunities to learn about these technologies and business practices, the MEP helps them enhance their ability to manufacture goods efficiently.
The local MEP centers, which consist of partnerships between industry, educational institutions, and state and federal governments, offer a variety of services to small manufacturing firms. These services include: helping businesses assess their technology and business needs; developing specific improvements to increase productivity; and providing guidance with manufacturing processes, worker training, personnel, marketing, financing, and quality issues. Some centers also offer demonstrations of new technologies. The staff of the MEP centers work individually with manufacturers, as well as with groups of manufacturers who share common needs. Solutions are offered through a combination of direct assistance from center staff and work with outside consultants.
Each center's assistance programs vary, depending on the region and the needs of each area's manufacturing base. MEP centers are connected electronically to one another, a situation that provides staff access to a nationwide pool of knowledge, services, and technology in order to help serve their client firms. As a result, each center is able to offer local manufacturers a far greater pool of services and resources than its own staff and facilities could offer alone.
Application Process
There is no application process in the conventional sense. Typically, manufacturing firms desiring assistance contact the manufacturing extension center in their area and explain their needs and goals. Once this occurs, a project manager from the center visits the firm to assess the firm's needs and develop a plan to meet those needs. Depending on the project, center staff may handle all work internally, or may contract outside assistance from a private consultant. Client company fees for the assistance will vary depending upon the project and the center.
Impact
MEP has had considerable positive impact on the manufacturers it serves. Companies that worked with 13 centers in 1994 reported $225 million in sales increases, $54 million in capital spending, $4 million in capital avoidance, $13 million in inventory reduction, $26 million in labor and materials savings, and 3,417 jobs created or saved.
Success Stories
1) Dee, Inc., of Crookston, Minnesota, is an aluminum foundry and machining company that produces parts for snowmobiles, personal watercraft, oil and air filtration equipment, and other aluminum products. Dee officials became concerned in late 1992 because sales were increasing but profitability was not. In addition, companies that Dee supplied were becoming more demanding in their standards, raising the issue of product quality in the parts produced. Dee, deciding that it needed more control over its processes, requested a needs analysis by the NIST Minnesota Manufacturing Technology Center (MnMTC). Based on this operational "snapshot," MnMTC helped the company choose new manufacturing software, establish a cost-based pricing system, and refine Dee's production process. As a result, the company reduced both foundry and machining set-up times. Both sales and profitability have increased, and employment has grown from 103 in 1991 to 185 in 1995.
2) South Carolina-based Spartanburg Steel Products, Inc., supplies stamped car parts to major auto assembly plants in the South. As a result of new customer requirements, Spartanburg Steel was forced to develop a lighter and lower-cost alternative to the metal brace used to secure the dashboard to the automobile frame. Company engineers created a new design, but hit a snag in testing it: the part's complex design defied the manual methods of stress analysis available at the company's small testing facility. Spartanburg officials approached the Southeast MTC in Columbia, South Carolina, and requested assistance. MTC specialists — using the center's sophisticated, computer-based, finite-element analysis techniques — conducted the necessary testing and confirmed that the new part design would satisfy the customer's structural requirements. The part is now in full production and used daily by the assembly plant. The Southeast MTC, like most other MEP centers, can assist small and mid-sized firms with the types of testing for which most companies could not justify the investment in technology, equipment, and staff.
Future Prospects
There are currently MEP centers in 42 states and Puerto Rico; most centers maintain numerous satellite offices throughout the state they serve. At present, 89 percent of small manufacturers in the United States are within reach of a MEP center servicing that area. The program's goal is to expand to reach 100 percent of the nation's 381,000 small manufacturers. The pace of program growth will depend on future congressional funding levels.
Contacts
Manufacturing Extension Partnership
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Building 301, Room C100
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
301-975-5020 (voice)
301-963-6556 (fax)
MEPinfo@micf.nist.gov
worldwide web: http://www.mep.nist.gov
Below is a listing of the headquarter offices for the MEP extension centers, most of which have satellite offices throughout their states. To reach satellite offices, contact the centers listed below.
Manufacturing Extension Centers Betsy Bury Manager, Affiliate Evaluation Services Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Institute of Standards and Technology Building 301, Room C100 Gaithersburg, MD 20899 phone: 301-975-3944 fax: 301-926-3787 e-mail: bbury@mep.nist.gov ALABAMA Alabama Technology Network Serving firms throughout Alabama via ten regional centers. In development. Contact: Ms. Sara Dennis 1500 Resource Drive Birmingham, AL 35242 205-250-4747 ARIZONA Industry Network Corporation (INC) Serving firms throughout Arizona through service centers in Phoenix and Tucson; additional service centers under development in Yuma, Kingman, and Prescott. Contact: Mr. Randy Grissom 1155 University Blvd. S.E. Albuquerque, NM 87106 505-843-4250 ARKANSAS Arkansas Manufacturing Extension Network Serving firms throughout Arkansas through seven field offices. In development. Affiliated with the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority. Contact: Ms. Julie S. Welch 100 Main Street, Suite 450 Little Rock, AR 72201 501-324-9006 CALIFORNIA California Manufacturing Technology Center (CMTC) Serving the five-county Los Angeles basin through three regional offices. Established in 1992 and affiliated with the El Camino Community College District, the California Trade and Commerce Agency, the California Community Colleges, and the California Employment Training Panel. Contact: Mr. David Braunstein 13430 Hawthorne Blvd. Hawthorne, CA 90250 310-355-3060 Northern California Manufacturing Extension Center Serving firms initially in the six-county San Francisco Bay region (with plans to expand coverage to all of California north of San Luis Obispo). In development. Contact: Mr. Phil Nanzetta 39550 Liberty St., 2nd Floor Fremont, CA 94537 510-354-3911 Pollution Prevention Center Serving southern California. Established in 1994 through the Institute for Research and Technical Assistance. Contact: Ms. Katy Wolf Institute for Research & Technical Assistance 2800 Olympic Blvd., Suite 101 Santa Monica, CA 90404 310-453-0450 COLORADO Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center (MAMTC) Serving firms throughout Colorado through six offices. Affiliated with Colorado State University. Contact: Mr. Paul Clay 10561 Barkley, Suite 602 Overland Park, KS 66212 913-649-4333 or 1-800-653-4333 if calling from Colorado, Kansas, Missouri or Wyoming CONNECTICUT Connecticut State Technology Extension Program (CONN/STEP) Serving firms throughout Connecticut through four offices. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Connecticut Department of Economic Development. Contact: Mr. Peter LaPlaca 179 Middle Turnpike, U-52 Storrs, CT 06269-5052 860-486-2585 DELAWARE Delaware Manufacturing Alliance Serving firms throughout Delaware. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Delaware Development Office. Contact: Mr. John J. Shwed Delaware Technology Park One Innovation Way, Suite 301 Newark, DE 19711 302-452-2520 FLORIDA Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership Serving firms throughout the state through four regional centers. In development. Affiliated with Enterprise Florida Innovation Partnership, Inc. Contact: Mr. William G. Brundage 200 S. Orange Ave., Suite 1200 Orlando, FL 32801 407-425-5313 GEORGIA Georgia Manufacturing Extension Alliance Headquartered in Atlanta, with 18 regional offices serving firms throughout Georgia. Established in 1994 and affiliated with Georgia Tech's Economic Development Institute, the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, the University of Georgia Small Business Development Centers, and Georgia Power Co. Contact: Mr. Charles Estes Georgia Institute of Technology 223 O'Keefe Building Atlanta, GA 30332 404-894-8989 IDAHO Idaho Manufacturing Alliance Serving firms throughout Idaho through three regional offices. In development. Contact: Mr. James Hogge 1910 University Drive Boise/Ada, ID 83725 208-385-1640 ILLINOIS Chicago Manufacturing Center Serving metropolitan Chicago. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Economic Development Commission of the City of Chicago. Contact: Mr. Rheal Turcotte
Homan Square
3333 West Arthington
Chicago, IL 60624
312-265-2020
IOWA
Iowa Manufacturing Technology Center (Iowa MTC)
Serving firms throughout Iowa via 24 field agents. Established in 1994 and affiliated with Iowa State University and the Des Moines Area Community College.
Contact: Dr. Del Shepard
Des Moines Area Community College
2006 South Ankeny Boulevard
ATC Bldg. 3E
Ankeny, IA 50021
515-965-7040
KANSAS
Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center (MAMTC)
Serving firms throughout Kansas through eight offices. Established in 1991 and affiliated with the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp. In 1994, additional regions in Missouri, Colorado and Wyoming received funding to assist manufacturers. (See other state listings)
Contact: Mr. Paul Clay
10561 Barkley, Suite 602
Overland Park, KS 66212
913-649-4333 or 1-800-653-4333 if calling from Colorado, Kansas, Missouri or Wyoming.
KENTUCKY
Kentucky Technology Service
Serving firms throughout Kentucky. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet.
Contact: Mr. Don Smith
P.O. Box 1125
Lexington, KY 40589
606-252-7801
MAINE
Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Serving firms throughout Maine through two regional offices. One additional office is in development. Established in 1995 and affiliated with the Maine Science and Technology Foundation.
Contact: Ms. Diane Wescott
87 Winthrop Street
Augusta, ME 04330
207-621-6350
MARYLAND
Maryland Manufacturing Modernization Network
Serving firms throughout Maryland. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Maryland Department of Economic and Employment Development.
Contact: Mr. Joe McGrath
Maryland Department of Economic Development
Division of Business
217 East Redwood Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-333-0209
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts Manufacturing Partnership (MMP)
Serving firms throughout Massachusetts through five regional offices. Established in 1994 with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic
Affairs and the Bay State Skills Corp.
Contact: Ms. Jan Pounds
Bay State Skills Corp.
101 Summer Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
617-292-5100, ext. 271
MICHIGAN
Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC)
Serving firms throughout Michigan, through seven regional offices. Established in 1991 and operated by the Industrial Technology Institute.
Contact: Mr. W. C. (Butch) Dyer
P.O. Box 1485
2901 Hubbard Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
800-292-4484
MINNESOTA
Minnesota Manufacturing Technology Center (MnMTC)
Serving firms throughout Minnesota through six regional offices. Established in 1992 and operated by Minnesota Technology, Inc.
Contact: Mr. Todd Loudenslager
111 Third Avenue South, Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-338-7722
MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi Polymer Institute and Pilot Manufacturing Extension Center. Serving polymer and polymer-related firms throughout Mississippi. In development. Affiliated with the University of Southern Mississippi.
Contact: Mr. Robert K. Schlatzer
P.O. Box 5157
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-5157
601-266-4607
MISSOURI
Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center (MAMTC)
Serving 23 counties in western Missouri as well as the seven-county St. Louis metropolitan area. Contact: Mr. Paul Clay
10561 Barkley, Suite 602
Overland Park, KS 66212
913-649-4333
MAMTC Southern Missouri
Serving Missouri south of I-70. Affiliated with the Missouri Enterprise Business Assistance Center.
Contact: see above.
MONTANA
Montana Manufacturing Extension Center
Serving firms statewide. In development. Affiliated with Montana State University.
Contact: Mr. William R. Taylor
315 Roberts Hall
Bozeman, MT 59717
406-994-3812
NEBRASKA
Nebraska Industrial Competitiveness Service (NICS)
Serving firms throughout Nebraska. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
Contact: Mr. Tommy Thorne
301 Centennial Mall
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-437-2535
NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire Regional Manufacturing Technology Center
Serving firms throughout New Hampshire. In development. Affiliated with the New Hampshire Regional Community Technical College System.
Contact: Mr. Keith Bird
505 Amherst St.
Nashua, NH 03061-2052
603-882-6923
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Serving firms statewide through two regional offices. In development. Affiliated with the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology.
Contact: Mr. Don Sebastian, Center for Manufacturing Systems, NJIT
Newark, NJ 07102-1982
201-642-4869
NEW MEXICO
Industry Network Corporation
Serving firms in New Mexico and the nine counties of Texas west of the Pecos. Established in 1994. Contact: Mr. Randy Grissom
1155 University Blvd. S.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505-843-4250
NEW YORK
New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (New York MEP)
Serving firms throughout New York. Four regional offices are listed below.
For extension services in other parts of the state
Contact: John Crews
518-283-1010.
Hudson Valley Technology Development Center
Serving the seven-county mid-Hudson region. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the New York MEP and the New York State Science and Technology Foundation.
Contact: Mr. Douglas Koop
Hudson Valley Technology Development Center
300 Westage Business Center, Suite 140
Fishkill, NY 12524
914-896-6934
University Industry Public Partnership for Economic Growth (UnIPEG)
Serving a nine-county area within New York's southern tier. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the New York MEP.
Contact: Ms. Kay Adams
59-61 Court Street
Binghamton, NY 13901
607-774-0022
Industrial Technology Assistance Corporation
Serving the five boroughs of New York City. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the New York MEP.
Contact: Ms. Sara Garretson
253 Broadway, Room 302
New York, NY 10007
212-240-6920
Western New York Technology Development Center
Serving New York's five western-most counties. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the New York MEP.
Contact: Mr. Norman Koch
1576 Sweet Home Road
Amherst, NY 14228
716-636-3626
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Serving firms in North Carolina. Established in 1995 and affiliated with North Carolina State University Industrial Extension Service.
Contact: Mr. Robert L. Edwards
IES Technical Services
North Carolina State University,
Raleigh, NC 27695-7902
919-515-5408
NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota Manufacturing Extension Center
Established in 1995 and affiliated with Technology Transfer, Inc.
Contact: Mr. Warren Enyart
1833 East Bismarck Expressway
Bismarck, ND 58504
701-328-5300 (pending)
OHIO
Great Lakes Manufacturing Technology Center (GLMTC)
Serving northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania. Established in 1989 and affiliated with the Cleveland Advanced Manufacturing Program
Contact: Mr. Ed Kwiatkowski
Prospect Park Building
4600 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103-4314
216-432-5322
Miami Valley Manufacturing Extension Center
Serving 23 counties of southwest Ohio. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Edison Materials Technology Center.
Contact: Mr. David L. Chalk
3171 Research Blvd.
Kettering, OH 45420
513-259-1340
Lake Erie Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Serving 26 counties of northwest Ohio.
Established in 1995 and affiliated with the Edison Industrial Systems Center.
Contact: Mr. Charles P. Alter
1700 N. Westwood Avenue
Toledo, OH 43607
419-534-3709
Plastics Technology Deployment Center (PTDC)
Serving ten counties in northeast Ohio surrounding Cleveland, and 14 counties in northwest Pennsylvania surrounding Erie. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Great Lakes MTC and Penn State-Erie.
Contact: Mr. David Thomas-Greaves
GLMTC Manufacturing Outreach Program
Prospect Park Building
4600 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103
216-432-5300
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence
Serving firms throughout Oklahoma. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.
Contact: Mr. Edmund J. Farrell
525 South Main, Suite 500
Tulsa, OK 74103
918-592-0722
PENNSYLVANIA
North/East Pennsylvania Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Serving the region north of Doylestown, east of Reading, and west of the Delaware River. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Manufacturers Resource Center.
Contact: Ms. Edith Ritter
125 Goodman Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18015
610-758-5599
Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center
Serving the five counties of southeastern Pennsylvania. Established in 1995.
Contact: Mr. Joseph Houldin
12265 Townsend Road, Suite 500
Philadelphia, PA 19154-1286
215-464-8550
Southwestern Pennsylvania Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Serving 13 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center.
Contact: Mr. Ray Christman
4516 Henry Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-687-0200, ext. 234
Great Lakes Manufacturing Technology Center
Serving firms in northwest Pennsylvania.
Contact: see Ohio listing.
Plastics Technology Deployment Center
Serving 14 counties in northwest Pennsylvania surrounding Erie. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Great Lakes Manufacturing Technology Center and Penn State-Erie.
Contact: Dr. William Roche
c/o Penn State-Erie
Behrend College Station Road
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6122
PUERTO RICO
Southeast Manufacturing Technology Center (SMTC)
Serving firms in South Carolina and the western/foothills region of North Carolina. Established in 1989 and operated jointly by the University of South Carolina and Enterprise Development, Inc.
Contact: Mr. Belford E. Cross
P.O. Box 1149
Columbia, SC 29202-1149
803-252-6976
RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Services
Serving firms throughout the state. In development. Affiliated with the University of Rhode Island.
Contact: Mr. William Ferrante
70 Lower College Road
Kingston, RI 02881
401-792-5516
SOUTH CAROLINA
Southeast Manufacturing Technology Center (SMTC)
Through thirteen regional outreach centers, serving firms in South Carolina and the western/foothills region of North Carolina. Established in 1989 and operated jointly by the University of South Carolina/Enterprise Development, Inc.
Contact: Mr. Belford E. Cross
P.O. Box 1149
Columbia, SC 29202-1149
803-252-6976
TENNESSEE
Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Serving firms throughout Tennessee.
Established in 1994 and affiliated with the State of Tennessee Economic and Community Development Department and the University of Tennessee.
Contact: Mr. Henry Tupis
Department of Economic and Community Development
320 6th Ave. North
Nashville, TN 37243-0405
615-741-2626
TEXAS
Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center
Serving firms throughout Texas. Established in 1995 and affiliated with the Texas Department of Commerce.
Contact: Mr. Mike Klonsinski
816 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78711
512-936-0235
UTAH
Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Serving firms via a network of manufacturing and business resource centers located throughout the state. In development.
Contact: Mr. David K. Sorensen
Western Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing Processes
435 Crabtree Technology Building
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602-4211
801-378-9000
VERMONT
Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center
Serving firms throughout the state. In development. Affiliated with Vermont Technical College.
Contact: Mr. Robert G. Clarke
Box 500
Randolph Center, VT 05061
802-728-1000
VIRGINIA
Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing Competitiveness
Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Virginia Department of Economic Development.
Contact: Mr. Bill Dickinson
P.O. Box 1163
Richmond, VA 23209
804-786-3501
A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Center
Serving 23 counties of southern Virginia. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the Southeast MTC.
Contact: Mr. Gerry Ward
231 East Church Street
Martinsville, VA 24112
703-666-8890
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia Partnership for Industrial Modernization
Serving firms throughout West Virginia. Established in 1995 and affiliated with the Marshall University Research Corporation/Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing Systems and the West Virginia University Extension Service.
Contact: Mr. Dave Porreca
1050 4th Avenue
Huntington, WV 25701
304-696-4852
WISCONSIN
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center
Serving 32 counties in northwest Wisconsin. Established in 1994 and affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Contact: Larry Schneider
University of Wisconsin
Stout Technology Transfer Institute
103 First Avenue West
Menomonie, WI 54751
715-232-2397
WYOMING
MAMTC Wyoming Regional Office
Serving firms throughout Wyoming. Affiliated with the Mid-America MTC.
Contact: see MAMTC Kansas listing. Through two offices, serving 21 counties in western Missouri as well as the seven-county St. Louis metropolitan area.
Contact: Mr. Paul Clay
10561 Barkley, Suite 602
Overland Park, KS 66212
913-649-4333 or 1-800-653-4333 if calling from Kansas, Missouri, Colorado or Wyoming
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)
| Objective: | To provide information and guidance to existing and prospective small business owners and operators. |
| Eligibility: | Existing or prospective small business owners and operators, entrepreneurs, or persons interested in exploring small business activity. |
| Cost: | Initial consultations generally are free; charges may be levied for additional services, depending on the individual SBDC or the nature of services requested. |
| Services: | Business and management counseling, training, and technical assistance. |
Description
The Small Business Administration (SBA) created the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network in 1977 to give company owners and entrepreneurs, many of whom cannot afford private consulting services, a place to go to obtain information about various small business concerns. Currently, there are 57 "lead" SBDCs across the country — at least one in each state — and more than 950 satellite or subcenter service locations. The SBDCs are designed to serve as a kind of one-stop service center, providing small businesses with a wide array of information and assistance. Most SBDCs can help with marketing, financing, feasibility studies, technical problems, and financing issues. SBDC staff are knowledgeable about SBA and other federal government programs and can help small business owners understand the nature of available programs that might fit their needs.
Most SBDC services are provided by the network of subcenters and satellite locations. The SBDC system is a partnership effort. Each center is sponsored and operated by an affiliated organization, such as a university, chamber of commerce, or economic development authority. To establish a local SBDC, partner organizations must contribute at least 50 percent of the funding. Some subcenters are found in downtown or commercial areas, others are run out of college and university offices, and still others operate in conjunction with neighborhood or non-profit business development organizations. Increasingly, new SBDCs are being located along with MEP facilities in order to enhance technology services with basic business management information. Some SBDCs specialize in particular business activities or information needs, such as international trade, procurement assistance, venture capital formation, or rural development. The lead SBDC in each state manages the subcenters and coordinates program services.
Because each center serves only a limited area, its staff can design and administer programs to address specific needs of the local business base. The typical SBDC operates with a small staff, usually a director, full and part-time technical assistance experts, and volunteers. Centers also use paid consultants, consulting engineers, and testing laboratories to help clients needing specialized expertise.
Application Process
There is no application in the conventional sense. To take advantage of the program, an interested manufacturer simply requests assistance from a local SBDC.
Impact
Nationally, the SBDC network serves as a critical broker of information and technical assistance for small businesses and entrepreneurs. For nearly a decade, SBDCs have aided between 150,000 and 200,000 persons a year, providing individual counseling, seminars, and workshops. In some years, SBDCs offer more than 10,000 training courses on a host of business, management, and technical topics. A recent study by faculty at the University of Calgary and the University of South Carolina concluded that the companies of clients who received at least five hours of SBDC counseling in 1990 have generated more than $3.7 billion in new sales and created nearly 65,000 jobs since that time.
Success Stories
1) A Sun Valley, Idaho, resident was trying to buy a local company called Sun Valley Mustard. However, he lacked a business plan, which his financiers (not surprisingly) required of him before the deal could be closed. Lacking the resources or knowledge to structure such a plan, he turned to the Idaho Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) at the College of Southern Idaho. After ISBDC staffers assisted with research, retail pricing, and target marketing, lenders approved the business plan and the sale. Over the next three years, sales at Sun Valley Mustard tripled. The company received the Idaho Specialty Foods "Best Product of the Year" award in 1990, 1992, and 1994.
2) A northern Virginia resident has used the local SBDC to enhance her already successful computer network systems corporation. Since 1988, she has relied on the SBDC for information and guidance on industry trends and financing. Center staff also helped link her to the federal government's procurement technical assistance program. This connection enabled her to define market strategies aimed at federal customers, who have become some of her firm's largest clients. Her company also has done business with Fortune 500 firms. Recently, it was awarded a patent for a new product, "Ringfinities," which is a physical-security device for computer networks.
Contacts
There are more than 950 SBDCs throughout the United States. Listed below are the 54 lead SBDCs that coordinate SBDC activity within each state and the District of Columbia. To find the local SBDC, a manufacturer can contact the lead SBDC or the Office of Small Business Development Center listed below. SBA district offices also can provide information on the SBDC program (these offices are listed under the Section 7(a) loan guarantee program profile on page 10). The SBA operates a toll-free line to help with general questions about the agency and its programs (1-800-U-ASK-SBA; TDD users, 202-205-7333). Also, general information is available through SBA on-line service; the numbers and address are listed below.
Small Business Administration
Office of Small Business Development Center
409 Third Street, SW, 5th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20416
202-205-6766 (voice)
SBA Bulletin Board:
1-800-697-4636 (outside D.C.)
Internet Address:
telnet://sbaonline.sba.gov
http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov
Lead Small Business Development Centers (as of September 1995) ALABAMA University of Alabama 1717 11th Avenue, South, Suite 419 Birmingham, Alabama 35294 205-934-7260 (voice) 205-934-7645 (fax) ALASKA University of Alaska/Anchorage 430 West 7th Avenue, Suite 110 Anchorage, Alaska 99501 907-274-7232 (voice) 907-274-9524 (fax) ARIZONA Maricopa County Com. College 2411 West 14th Street Tempe, Arizona 85281-6941 602-731-8720 (voice) 602-731-8729 (fax) ARKANSAS University of Arkansas Little Rock Technology Center 100 South Main, Suite 401 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 501-324-9043 (voice) 501-324-9049 (fax) CALIFORNIA Calif Trade & Commerce Agency 801 K Street, Suite 1700 Sacramento, California 95814 916-324-5068 (voice) 916-322-5084 (fax) COLORADO Office of Business Development 1625 Broadway, Suite 1710 Denver, Colorado 80202 303-892-3809 (voice) 303-892-3848 (fax) CONNECTICUT University of Connecticut School of Business Administration 2 Bourn Place, U-94 Storrs, Connecticut 06269-5094 203-486-4135 (voice) 203-486-1576 (fax) DELAWARE University of Delaware Suite 005 - Purnell Hall Newark, Delaware 19711 302-831-2747 (voice) 302-831-1423 (fax) DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Howard University 2600 6th Street, N.W., Rm 125 Washington, D.C. 20059 202-806-1550 (voice) 202-806-1777 (fax) FLORIDA University of West Florida 19 West Garden Street, Third Floor Pensacola, Florida 32501 904-444-2060 (voice) 904-444-2070 (fax) GEORGIA University of Georgia Chicopee Complex 1180 East Broad Street Athens, Georgia 30602 706-542-6762 (voice) 706-542-6776 (fax) HAWAII University of Hawaii at Hilo 523 West Lanikaula Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 808-933-3515 (voice) 808-933-3683 (fax) IDAHO Boise State University 1910 University Drive Boise, Idaho 83725 208-385-1640 (voice) 208-385-3877 (fax) ILLINOIS Commerce & Community Affairs 620 East Adams Street Springfield, Illinois 62701 217-524-5856 (voice) 217-785-6328 (fax) INDIANA Economic Development Council One North Capitol, Suite 420 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 317-264-6871 (voice) 317-264-3102 (fax) IOWA Iowa State University 137 Lynn Avenue Ames, Iowa 50010 515-292-6351 (voice) 515-292-0020 (fax) KANSAS Wichita State University 1845 Fairmount Wichita, Kansas 67260-0148 316-689-3193 (voice) 316-689-3647 (fax) KENTUCKY University of Kentucky College of Business and Economics 225 Business and Economics Bldg. Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0034 606-257-7668 (voice) 606-258-1907 (fax) LOUISIANA Northeast Louisiana University College of Business Administration 700 University Avenue Monroe, Louisiana 71209 318-342-5506 (voice) 318-342-5510 (fax) MAINE University of Southern Maine 96 Falmouth Street Portland, Maine 04103 207-780-4420 (voice) 207-780-4810 (fax) MARYLAND Dept of Econ & Employ Devel 217 East Redwood St., Ninth Floor Baltimore, Maryland 21202 410-333-6995 (voice) 410-333-4460 (fax) MASSACHUSETTS University of Massachusetts School of Management, Rm 205 Amherst, Massachusetts 01003-4935 413-545-6301 (voice) 413-545-1273 (fax) MICHIGAN Wayne State University 2727 Second Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48201 313-964-1798 (voice) 313-964-3648 (fax) MINNESOTA Dept. of Trade and Economic Dev. 500 Metro Square 121 Seventh Place East St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2146 612-297-5770 (voice) 612-296-1290 (fax) MISSISSIPPI University of Mississippi Old Chemistry Building, Suite 216 University, Mississippi 38677 601-232-5001 (voice) 601-232-5650 (fax) MISSOURI University of Missouri Suite 300, University Place Columbia, Missouri 65211 314-882-0344 (voice) 314-884-4297 (fax) MONTANA Department of Commerce 1424 Ninth Avenue Helena, Montana 59620 406-444-4780 (voice) 406-444-2808 (fax) NEBRASKA University of Nebraska at Omaha 60th & Dodge Streets, CBA Rm 407 Omaha, Nebraska 68182 402-554-2521 (voice) 402-554-3747 (fax) NEVADA University of Nevada in Reno College of Business Admin., Rm 411 Reno, Nevada 89557-0100 702-784-1717 (voice) 702-784-4337 (fax) NEW HAMPSHIRE University of New Hampshire 108 McConnell Hall Durham, New Hampshire 03824 603-862-2200 (voice) 603-862-4876 (fax) NEW JERSEY Rutgers University Ackerson Hall, Third Floor 108 University Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 201-648-5950 (voice) 201-648-1110 (fax) NEW MEXICO Santa Fe Community College P.O. Box 4187 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502-4187 505-438-1362 (voice) 505-438-1237 (fax) NEW YORK State University of New York SUNY Plaza, S-523 Albany, New York 12246 518-443-5398 (voice) 518-465-4992 (fax) NORTH CAROLINA University of North Carolina 4509 Creedmoor Road, Suite 201 Raleigh, North Carolina 27612 919-571-4154 (voice) 919-571-4161 (fax) NORTH DAKOTA University of North Dakota Gamble Hall, University Station Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-7308 701-777-3700 (voice) 701-777-3225 (fax) OHIO Dept. of Development 77 South High Street, 28th Floor Columbus, Ohio 43216-1001 614-466-2711 (voice) 614-466-0829 (fax) OKLAHOMA S.E. Oklahoma State University 517 West University Avenue Station A, Box 2584 Durant, Oklahoma 74701 405-924-0277 (voice) 405-920-7471 (fax) OREGON Lane Community College 44 West Broadway, Suite 501 Eugene, Oregon 97401-3021 503-726-2250 (voice) 503-345-6006 (fax) PENNSYLVANIA University of Pennsylvania The Wharton School 423 Vance Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 215-898-1219 (voice) 215-573-2135 (fax) RHODE ISLAND Bryant College 1150 Douglas Pike Springfield, Rhode Island 02917 401-232-6111 (voice) 401-232-6416 (fax) SOUTH CAROLINA University of South Carolina College of Business Administration 1170 College Street Columbia, South Carolina 29208 803-777-4907 (voice) 803-777-4403 (fax) SOUTH DAKOTA University of South Dakota School of Business 414 East Clark Vermillion, South Dakota 57069 605-677-5498 (voice) 605-677-5272 (fax) TENNESSEE University of Memphis South Campus Getwell Road, Building #1 Memphis, Tennessee 38152 901-678-2500 (voice) 901-678-4072 (fax) TEXAS Dallas County Community College 1402 Corinth Street Dallas, Texas 75215 214-565-5833 (voice) 214-565-5813 (fax) University of Houston 1100 Louisiana, Suite 500 Houston, Texas 77002 713-752-8444 (voice) 713-756-1500 (fax) Texas Tech University 2579 South Loop 289, Suite 114 Lubbock, Texas 79423-1637 806-745-3973 (voice) 806-745-6207 (fax) University of Texas at San Antonio Cypress Tower, Suite 410 1222 North Main Street San Antonio, Texas 78212 210-558-2450 (voice) 210-558-2464 UTAH University of Utah 102 West 500 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 801-581-7905 (voice) 801-581-7814 (fax) VERMONT Vermont Technical College P.O. Box 422 Randolph Center, Vermont 05060 802-728-9101 (voice) 802-728-3026 (fax) VIRGINIA Dept. of Economic Development 901 East Byrd Street, Suite 1800 Richmond, Virginia 23219 804-371-8258 (voice) 804-371-8185 (fax) WASHINGTON Washington State University 135 Kruegel Pullman, Washington 99164-4727 509-335-1576 (voice) 509-335-0949 (fax) WEST VIRGINIA West Virginia Development Center 950 Kanawha Boulevard, East Charleston, West Virginia 25301 304-558-2960 (voice) 304-558-0127 (fax) WISCONSIN University of Wisconsin 432 North Lake Street, Rm 423 Madison, Wisconsin 53706 608-263-7794 (voice) 608-262-3878 (fax) WYOMING University of Wyoming P.O. Box 3622 Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3622 307-766-3505 (voice) 307-766-3406 (fax)
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
| Objective: | To link the expertise and experience of retired and active business and management professionals with small businesses needing counsel. |
| Eligibility: | Any small, independently owned and operated business. |
| Cost: | No cost for counseling; though there is a nominal fee for training. Volunteer counselors' expenses may need to be covered. |
| Services: | .Business and management counseling and training. |
Description
In operation since 1964, the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) uses the management experience and business acumen of both retired and active corporate professionals and small business owners to counsel and train potential and existing small businesses, as well as advise prospective entrepreneurs. SCORE is one of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) long-standing technical assistance services. Currently, 13,000 volunteers work out of 388 local chapters, at approximately 800 counseling locations throughout the U.S. These volunteers donate their time, experience, and talents to provide realistic training and advice to small companies that face a wide range of problems and opportunities. Many SCORE volunteers have a manufacturing background and include engineers, personnel specialists, and accountants.
SCORE volunteers can serve as partners with small businesses to discuss new ideas or provide advice on business or management issues. They come from all parts of the business world — retailing, marketing and advertising, personnel, accounting, international trade, wholesaling, and government contracting. The SCORE program matches companies needing help in a specific area with an expert from that field, often an individual with years of hands-on experience at a similar type of firm.
Counseling takes place either at the business site itself or at a SCORE chapter location. Volunteer counselors analyze each business and its operations, offering suggestions on ways in which a small business operator can correct problems or make changes effectively. In addition, SCORE chapters periodically organize workshops to help business owners learn more about specific topics of interest, as well as a chance to network with other local company owners. While entrepreneurial workshops are a staple offering of most SCORE chapters, sessions on topics such as women's business ownership or international trade also have become widely popular.
Application Process
An individual need only write or call a local SCORE chapter location to ask for counseling or workshop information.
Impact
In the 30 years since SCORE was established, it has responded to more than 3 million requests for assistance. The 13,000 volunteers in 1994 gave nearly 1.1 million hours in free one-on-one counseling to more than 175,000 existing and potential business owners. SCORE chapters also offered 4,037 workshops that were attended by more than 113,000 people.
Success Stories
1) In 1990, an Elkhart, Indiana, family started Graphix Unlimited, which produced pressure- sensitive vinyl striping and other decorative decals for the recreational vehicle, automotive, and marine industries. Prior to establishing the business, the family attended a pre-business workshop sponsored by their local SCORE chapter, and they returned a month later for financial and management counseling. Graphix started with ten employees, a large inventory of vinyl, and several good customers. Accounts receivable were in good shape, but the family had invested a lot of its own money, secured a loan from a bank, and were a little worried about productivity and cash flow. An experienced Elkhart SCORE counselor encouraged them to develop a long-range business plan and suggested steps they could take to improve productivity. The family has returned for further counseling at least once each year. With the help of Elkhart's SCORE chapter, Graphix Unlimited, Inc., has prospered and created 86 new jobs.
2) A father and son own and operate Ralon Music Company in Waldorf, Maryland. The store sells a full range of musical instruments and carries out a sizeable band instrument rental business for schools and businesses. Ralon typically employs about eight to ten people. As the cost of financing their inventory rose, the store began to face financial difficulties. By December 1993, accounts payable had risen to 180 days. Like many small businesses, Ralon had installed a computerized financial and accounting program to track financing, but the owners did not understand how to interpret the program reports. They sought help from the southern Maryland SCORE chapter. Over the following 12 months, a SCORE counselor spent more that 200 hours with Ralon's owners. First, he studied the computer system to understand its reports, then he developed new reports to create a clearer picture of the firm's financial condition. When these reports pinpointed an inventory problem, the SCORE expert devised a sales strategy to move out the old inventory and use the proceeds to pay down the debt. Today, the store is thriving.
Future Prospects
SCORE is primarily a volunteer organization, and Congress will not likely reduce the program's administrative funding. Future prospects look good for program continuation.
Contact
To find any SCORE chapter, a manufacturer may contact the national SCORE office at the number and address below, or contact the state SBA district office listed under the Section 7(a) Loan program profile on page 10. For general information on the SCORE program, one may call the Small Business Answer Desk at 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (TDD users, 202-205-7333) or review on-line services at the numbers and address below.
National SCORE Office
409 3rd Street, SW., 4th Floor
Washington D.C. 20024
1-800-634-0245
Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs)
| Objective: | To provide business development services to minority-owned firms and individuals interested in entering, expanding, or improving their efforts in the marketplace. |
| Eligibility: | Any minority-owned firm, or individuals interested in starting a business. |
| Cost: | There is no fee for initial contact, but charges are applied for additional services. |
| Services: | Business and management counseling. |
Description
Established in 1969 as a part of the Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs) were designed to provide management and technical assistance to minority-owned companies and persons contemplating new business activity. The MBDC experts provide a wide range of services to clients, from initial consultations on general business topics to identification and resolution of specific business problems. Available services include:
MBDC services are provided on request through a national network of local business development organizations funded by the Department of Commerce. More than 100 centers operate in 38 states.
Application Process
There is no typical application procedure. An individual wishing assistance need only contact the nearest MBDC. Procedures for business consultation differ from center to center.
Success Stories
1) J. Joe Mena, an Hispanic businessman from Colorado Springs, Colorado, owns Summit Container Co., which makes corrugated and foam packaging for circuit boards and electronic components. In 1989, when Mr. Mena approached the MBDA for assistance, the company employed eight workers and had revenues of about $550,000 a year. Small business experts at the MBDA center in Denver coached him in developing a business and marketing plan that boosted his business substantially. Summit Container now employees 17 people and expects to have $3.4 million in sales in 1995.
2) The Chicago MBDC has provided counseling, support, and links to professional services, such as marketing and accounting, to minority restauranteurs and franchisees throughout the city. Workshops designed to deal with personnel and staffing issues also have been offered.
Impact
In 1993, more than 70 percent of those clients who worked with MBDC staff were successful in obtaining financing or procurement contracts. Financing totaled $312 million, while procurement contracts reached nearly $635.5 million.
Future Prospects
Funding levels for the Minority Business Development Centers in fiscal 1996 are expected to be substantially lower than during the previous year. Legislation currently being considered by the 104th Congress calls for dismantling the Department of Commerce, which would include the elimination of the MBDC program.
Contact
The more than 100 MBDC are listed below. Manufacturers interested in requesting service need only contact their local center. For general information on the program, one may contact the national office at the U.S. Department of Commerce; the phone number and address are listed below.
Minority Business Development Agency
Department of Commerce
Office of Operations, Room 5063
14th and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20230
202-482-1015
Minority Business Development Centers (as of September 1995) ALABAMA Birmingham MBDC 1718 Fifth Ave., North Birmingham, AL 35203 205-251-2040 Mobile MBDC 801 Executive Park Dr, Suite 102 Mobile, AL 36606 205-471-5165 Montgomery MBDC 770 S. McDonough St, Suite 209 Montgomery, AL 36104 205-834-7598 ALASKA No local MBDC ARIZONA Arizona NABDC 953 E. Juanita Ave. Mesa, AZ 85204 602-831-7524 Phoenix MBDC 432 N. 44th St., Suite 354 Phoenix, AZ 85008 602-225-0740 Native American Business Consultant 2070 East Southern Ave. Tempe, AZ 85282 602-945-2635 Tucson MBDC 1200 N. El Dorado Square, D-440 Tucson, AZ 85715 602-721-1187 ARKANSAS Little Rock MBDC 100 S. Main St., Suite 438 Little Rock, AK 72203 501-682-9100 CALIFORNIA Bakersfield MBDC 1706 Chester Ave, Suite 407 Bakersfield, CA 93301 805-633-2787 MBDA District Office 9660 Flair Dr., Suite 455 El Monte, CA 91731 818-453-8636 California NABDC 9650 Flair Dr., Suite 303 El Monte, CA 91731-3008 818-442-3701 Fresno MBDC 2300 Tulare St., Suite 210 Fresno, CA 93721 209-266-2766 San Diego MBDC 7777 Alvarado Rd., Suite 310 La Mesa, CA 91941 619-668-6232 Los Angeles Mega Center 355 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1150 Los Angeles, CA 90071 213-613-1300 Los Angeles MBOC Mayor's Office of Economic Devt. City Hall, Room 2014 Los Angeles, CA 90012 213-847-6199 Northern California MBOC 1221 Oak St., Suite 555 Oakland, CA 94612 510-272-3865 Oxnard MBDC 741 S. A St., Suite A Oxnard, CA 93030 805-385-6277 Sacramento MBDC 1779 Tribute Rd., Suite J Sacramento, CA 95815 916-649-2551 Salinas MBDC 14 Mable St., Suite D Salinas, CA 93901 408-422-8825 Riverside MBDC Vanir Tower 290 N. D St., Suite 303 San Bernadino, CA 92401 909-381-4008 MBDA Regional Office 221 Main St., Room 1280 San Francisco, CA 94105 415-744-3001 San Francisco MBDC 221 Main St., Suite 1570 San Francisco, CA 94105 415-243-8430 Oakland Office: 1212 Broadway, Suite 900 Oakland, CA 94612 510-271-0180 Santa Barbara MBDC 331 N. Milpas St., Suite G Santa Barbara, CA 93103 805-965-2611 Stockton MBDC 305 N. El Dorado St., Suite 305 Stockton, CA 95202 209-467-4774 COLORADO Denver MBDC 930 W. 7th Ave. Denver, CO 80204 303-623-5660 CONNECTICUT Connecticut MBDC 194 Capen St. Hartford, CT 06120 1-800-219-7408 DELAWARE Delaware MBOC Department of Commerce 800 N. French St., 6th Floor Wilmington, DE 19801 302-571-4093 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Washington MBDC 1133 15th St., N.W., Suite 1120 Washington, DC 20005 202-785-2886 FLORIDA Jacksonville MBDC 218 W. Adams, Suite 300 Jacksonville, FL 32202-4319 904-353-3826 Jacksonville MBOC 5923 Norwood Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32208 904-924-1106 MBDA District Office 51 S.W. First Ave. Room 1314, Box 25 Miami, FL 33130 305-536-5054 Miami/Ft. Lauderdale MBDC 1200 N.W. 78th Ave., Suite 301 Miami, FL 33126 305-591-7355 Orlando MBDC 132 E. Colonial Dr., Suite 211 Orlando, FL 32801 407-422-6234 West Palm Beach MBDC 2001 Broadway, Suite 301 Riviera Beach, FL 33404 407-863-0895 Tampa/St. Petersburg MBDC 4601 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 200 Tampa, FL 33609 813-289-8824 GEORGIA MBDA Regional Office 401 W. Peachtree St., N.W., #1715 Atlanta, GA 30308-3516 404-730-3300 Atlanta MBDC 75 Piedmont Ave., N.E., Suite 256 Atlanta, GA 30303 404-586-0973 Augusta MBDC 1394 Laney-Walker Blvd. Augusta, GA 30903 706-722-0994 Columbus MBDC 233 12th St., Suite 621 Columbus, GA 31902-1696 HAWAII Honolulu MBDC 1132 Bishop St., Suite 1000 Honolulu, HI 96813-3652 808-531-6232 IDAHO No local MBDC ILLINOIS MBDA Regional Office 55 E. Monroe St., Suite 1406 Chicago, IL 60603 312-353-0182 Chicago Mega Center 105 W. Adams St., 7th Floor Chicago, IL 60603 312-977-9190 Chicago MBOC U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service 230 S Dearborn, Rm. 1064-A Chicago, IL 60604 312-353-6664 INDIANA Gary MBDC 567 Broadway St. P.O. Box 9007 Gary, IN 46402 219-883-5802 IOWA No local MBDC KANSAS No local MBDC KENTUCKY Louisville MBDC 611 W. Main St., 2nd Floor Louisville, KY 40202 502-589-6232 LOUISIANA Baton Rouge MBDC 2036 Wooddale Blvd., Suite D Baton Rouge, LA 70806 504-924-0186 New Orleans MBDC 10001 Lake Forest Blvd., Suite 408 New Orleans, LA 70127 504-241-8664 MAINE No local MBDC MARYLAND Baltimore MBDC 301 N. Charles St., Suite 902 Baltimore, MD 21201 410-753-7400 Business Resource Center 3 West Baltimore St. Baltimore, MD 21201 410-605-0990 MASSACHUSETTS MBDA District Office 10 Causeway St., Suite 418 Boston, MA 02222-1041 617-565-6850 MICHIGAN Detroit MBDC 645 Griswold St., Suite 2156 Detroit, MI 48226 313-963-6232 MINNESOTA Minneapolis MBDC 2021 E. Hennepin Ave., LL 35 Minneapolis, MN 55413 612-331-5576 Minnesota NABDC Leech Lake Reservation P.O. Box 217 Track 33, Facility Center Cass Lake, MN 56633 218-335-8583 MISSISSIPPI Jackson MBDC 5285 Galaxie Dr., Suite A Jackson, MS 39206 601-362-2260 Kansas City MBDC 1101 Walnut St., Suite 1600 Kansas City, MO 64106-2143 816-471-1520 MISSOURI St. Louis MBDC 231 S. Berniston St., Suite 750 St. Louis, MO 63105 314-721-7766 MONTANA No local MBDC NEBRASKA No local MBDC NEVADA No local MBDC NEW HAMPSHIRE No local MBDC NEW JERSEY Monmouth/Ocean/Atlantic MBDC 1125 Atlantic Ave., Room 400 Atlantic City, NJ 08401 609-345-7355 Middlesex/Somerset/Hunterdon MBDC 390 George St., Suite 401 New Brunswick, NJ 08901 908-249-5511 Newark/Jersey City MBDC 60 Park Place, Suite 1603 Newark, NJ 07102 201-623-7712 NEW MEXICO Statewide New Mexico MBDC 718 Central S.W. Albuquerque, NM 87120 505-843-7114 New Mexico NABDC 3939 San Pedro, N.E., Suite D Albuquerque, NM 87190 505-889-9092 NEW YORK Brooklyn MBDC 30 Flatbush Ave., Suite 423 Brooklyn, NY 11217 718-522-5880 Williamsburg/Brooklyn MBDC 12 Heyward St. Brooklyn, NY 11211 718-522-5620 Bronx MBDC 1000 Grand Concourse at 165th St. Suite A1 Bronx, NY 10451 718-681-1192 Buffalo MBDC 570 E. Delavan Ave. Buffalo, NY 14211 716-895-2218 Queens MBDC 125-10 Queens Blvd., Suite 2705 Kew Gardens, NY 11415 718-793-3900 Nassau/Suffolk MBDC 150 Broad Hollow Rd., Suite 304 Melville, NY 11747 516-549-5454 MBDA Regional Office 26 Federal Plaza, Room 3720 New York, NY 10278 212-264-3262 Manhattan MBDC 51 Madison Ave., Suite 2212 New York, NY 10010 212-779-4364 New York MBDC N.Y. Urban Development Corp. 1515 Broadway, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10036 212-930-0185 Rochester MBDC 350 North St. Rochester, NY 14605 716-232-6120 NORTH CAROLINA Cherokee NABDC Acquoni Building P.O. Box 1200 Cherokee, NC 28719 704-497-9335 Asheville Office: 70 Woodfin Place, Suite 305 Asheville, NC 28801 704-252-2516 Fayetteville MBDC 114-1/2 Anderson St. Fayetteville, NC 28302 910-483-7513 Raleigh/Durham MBDC 817 New Bern Ave., Suite 8 Raleigh, NC 27601 919-833-6122 NORTH DAKOTA North/South Dakota NABDC 3315 University Dr. Bismarck, ND 58504-7596 701-255-6849 OHIO Cincinnati MBDC 1821 Summit Road, Suite 111 Cincinnati, OH 45237-2810 513-679-6000 Cleveland MBDC 601 Lakeside Ave., Suite 335 Cleveland, OH 44114 216-664-4155 Dayton MBDC Society Bank Building 32 N. Main St., Suite 1001 Dayton, OH 45402 513-228-0290 OKLAHOMA Oklahoma City MBDC 3017 N. MLK Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73111 405-424-0082 Oklahoma NABDC 5727 S. Garnett, Suite C Tulsa, OK 74146-6823 918-250-5950 Tulsa MBDC 240 East Apache St. Tulsa, OK 74106-3799 918-592-1995 OREGON Portland MBDC 8959 S.W. Barbur Blvd. Suite 102 Portland, OR 97219 503-245-9253 PENNSYLVANIA MBDA District Office 600 Arch St., Room 10128 Philadelphia, PA 19106 215-597-9236 Philadelphia MBDC 125 N. 8th St., 4th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19106 215-629-9841 Pittsburgh MBDC Nine Parkway Center, Suite 250 Pittsburgh, PA 15520 412-921-1155 Pittsburgh MBOC Dept. of Veterans Affairs 1000 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-644-5882 SOUTH CAROLINA Charlotte MBDC 4 Carriage Lane, Suite 201 Charleston, SC 29407 803-556-3040 Charleston MBDC 4 Carriage Lane, Suite 201 Charleston, SC 29407 803-556-3040 Columbia MBDC
1313 Elmwood Ave., 1st Floor
Columbia, SC 29201
803-779-5905
Greenville/Spartanburg MBDC
211 Century Dr., Suite 100-D
Greenville, SC 29607
803-271-8753
Orangeburg Rural MBDC
583 Amella St.
Orangeburg, SC 29115
803-533-3412
SOUTH DAKOTA
North/South Dakota NABDC
3315 University Dr.
Bismarck, ND 58504-7596
701-255-6849
TENNESSEE
Memphis MBDC
346 S. Main St.
Memphis, TN 38103
901-527-2298
Nashville MBDC
14 Academy Place, Suite 2
Nashville, TN 37210-2026
615-255-0432
Business Resource Center
3401 West End Ave., Suite 110
Nashville, TN 37203
615-749-4088
TEXAS
Austin MBDC
1524 S. Internl Hwy. 35, Suite 218
Austin, TX 78704
512-447-0800
Beaumont/Port Authur MBDC
330 Liberty St., 2nd Floor
Beaumont, TX 77701
409-835-0440
Brownsville MBDC
2100 Bocal Chica Blvd., Suite 301
Brownsville, TX 78521-2265
210-546-3400
Corpus Christi MBDC
201 N. Chapparal, Suite 325
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
512-883-9917
Corpus Christi MBOC
3649 Lepard St., Suite 514
Corpus Christi, TX 78404
512-887-7961
MBDA Regional Office
1100 Commerce St.
Room 7B-23
Dallas, TX 75242
214-767-8001
Dallas/Ft. Worth MBDC
501 Wynnewood Village Shopping Center, Suite 202
Dallas, TX 75224-1899
214-943-4095
El Paso MBDC
6068 Gateway East, Suite 200
El Paso, TX 79905
915-774-0626
Houston MBDC
1200 Smith St., Suite 2870
Houston, TX 77002
713-650-3831
Laredo MBDC
1303 Calle Del Norte, Suite 400
Laredo, TX 78041
210-726-8815
McAllen MBDC
1701 W. Business Hwy. 83
Suite 306
McAllen, TX 78501
210-664-0073
San Antonio MBDC
1222 N. Main St., Suite 750
San Antonio, TX 78212
210-558-2480
UTAH
Salt Lake City MBDC
350 East 500 South, Suite 101
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-328-8181
VERMONT
No local MBDC
VIRGINIA
Hampton Roads MBDC
129 W. Virginia Beach, Suite 105
Norfolk, VA 23510
804-626-1635
Richmond MBDC
3805 Cutshaw Ave., Suite 402
Richmond, VA 23230
804-353-6227
WASHINGTON
Northwest NABDC
100 W. Harrison
S. Tower, Suite 530
Seattle, WA 98119
206-285-2190
Seattle MBDC
155 N.E. 100th Ave., Suite 401
Seattle, WA 98125
206-525-5617
WEST VIRGINIA
No local MBDC
WISCONSIN
Milwaukee MBDC
1442 N. Farwell Ave., Suite 500
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-289-3422
Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs)
| Objective: | To help domestic manufacturers, adversely affected by import competition, develop recovery strategies, and identify and seek financial resources. |
| Eligibility: | Manufacturers that have experienced a decline in sales, production, or employment as a direct result of increased competition from imported goods. |
| Cost: | Industry assistance cooperative agreements are cost-shared with the company, with a maximum 75 percent covered by the federal government. |
| Services: | Technical and management consulting services. |
Description
The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program provides technical assistance to domestic manufacturers facing difficulties because of competition from imported goods. Companies can obtain TAA services at any of 12 regional Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (TAACs). These centers help manufacturers cope with competition by mapping out viable recovery strategies, identifying financial resources (for activities ranging from modernization to marketing), and working cooperatively with company management to implement changes. Many TAAC staff have extensive private-sector experience, including specialized expertise in engineering, marketing, and finance. They work closely with top and line management to identify a firm's needs and tailor assistance to meet those needs. TAACs can provide guidance in the areas of marketing, product development and diversification, computer systems, industrial engineering, ISO 9000 certification, and export promotion.
A qualifying manufacturer and the federal government split the cost of technical consulting services, usually 50-50, although a maximum government contribution of 75 percent is possible, depending on the total cost of services, the firm's financial strength, and the amount of assistance required. TAAC staff determine if the higher federal participation rate is acceptable.
Application Process
A firm must be certified by the Department of Commerce as adversely impacted by import competition in order to gain access to trade adjustment assistance. For certification, a manufacturer submits a petition (Form EDA-840P) to the TAA division of the department's Economic Development Administration. The applicant must prove that their product is likely to be, or is, directly competitive with foreign imports of the same type, and that this foreign competition has contributed greatly to a decline in the firm's sales or production. The company also must affirm that this competition poses a significant threat to the continued employment of its employees. A completed petition must include a history of the firm; description of the type of business and its products; description of the firm's manufacturing and distribution facilities, as well as its markets; listing of its officers, directors and owners; discussion of significant changes or important events in the firm's recent history; data on sales, production, and employment for the two most recent accounting years; and information about all related firms.
Petitioning companies also must provide a list of the leading customers that have reduced purchases from the firm over the past 12 months. They need to include copies of their audited financial statements for the past two fiscal years (or some acceptable substitute, such as federal income tax returns). Company catalogs and sales literature may prove helpful.
The TAA division staff generally make a decision within five days of receiving a petition. If the petition is accepted, TAA staff will make a complete analysis of the firm's situation. In most case, the company is assisted by the regional TAACs, who are responsible for helping the firm develop an adjustment proposal for recovery and technical assistance. The firm, however, bears ultimate responsibility to submit a final adjustment proposal within two years of approval.
Success Stories
1) By 1984, a midwestern power transmission components manufacturer serving the agricultural and industrial equipment industries developed a $2.4 million-a-year business. Anticipating additional growth, the firm moved into a larger plant to increase production capacity. The company, unfortunately, suddenly confronted plummeting sales because of surging imports from Germany and Italy. Lost sales, combined with increased costs due to the larger facility, put the company in serious financial difficulty. As a result, the firm sought help from the regional TAAC. As an adjustment strategy was being framed, TAAC staff determined that high operating costs and lack of proprietary products left the firm vulnerable to continued import competition. While the firm launched efforts to develop new products and improve production efficiency, TAA program resources were used to upgrade employee skills, provide training in quality control programs, and install a computerized integrated management information system. This system was designed to control work order processing, track labor, analyze productivity and waste, and predict production. As a result of implementing the recovery strategy, sales increased to nearly $5 million, productivity improved, and the once- threatened firm returned to the black.
2) A New England-based manufacturer of optical components for use in military and industrial applications saw his operation undermined by increased Japanese imports. The firm already was operating under Chapter XI bankruptcy protection when it sought certification under the TAA program. The company had 39 employees and average annual sales of $2.1 million at that time (although the company had suffered a $248,000 loss the prior year). TAAC staff and company management structured a workable business plan acceptable to the courts, which allowed the firm to continue production under Chapter XI protection. TAAC experts also called for the development of new products and sales literature in order to expand sales, with an eye to shifting from defense to commercial markets. They further identified opportunities to upgrade production and inventory control systems. TAA program assistance covered the cost of a financial consultant to restructure the client's debt, as well as the preparation of new marketing materials. As a result, the once bankrupt firm has seen sales grow to more than $2.9 million and employment increase to 42. The implementation of the recovery strategy has helped the firm penetrate commercial markets and lessen its dependence on the declining defense sector.
Impact
In fiscal 1994, the 12 TAACs provided assistance to 155 certified firms. An additional 792 firms received technical assistance.
Future Prospects
The Clinton Administration has targeted the TAA program for elimination in past budget submissions, suggesting that adjustment assistance functions could be placed elsewhere within the Department of Commerce. The program has continued because of strong congressional support.
Contact
A manufacturer interested in the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program may contact the U.S. Department of Commerce at the following numbers and address, or speak with staff at one of the 12 regional Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers listed below.
U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration
Trade Adjustment Assistance Division
14th & Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20230
202-482-4031 (voice)
202-482-0466 (fax)
Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers (as of October 1995) MICHIGAN, OHIO, INDIANA Great Lakes TAAC School of Business Administration The University of Michigan 506 East Liberty Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2210 313-998-6213 (voice) 313-998-6224 (fax) MISSOURI, KANSAS, ARKANSAS Mid-America TAAC Univ. of Missouri at Columbia University Place, Suite 1700 Columbia, MO 65211 314-882-6162 (voice) 314-882-6156 (fax) PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Mid-Atlantic TAAC 550 Township Line Road, Suite 450 Blue Bell, PA 19422 610-825-7819 (voice) 610-825-7708 (fax) ILLINOIS, MINNESOTA, IOWA, WISCONSIN Midwest TAAC 150 N. Wacker Drive Suite 2240 Chicago, IL 60606 312-368-4600 (voice) 312-368-9043 (fax) CONNECTICUT, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE New England TAAC 120 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02116 617-542-2395 (voice) 617-542-8457 (fax) NEW JERSEY New Jersey TAAC Capital Place One - CN 990 200 South Warren Street Trenton, NJ 08625 609-292-0360 (voice) 609-984-4301 (fax) ALASKA, IDAHO, MONTANA, OREGON, WASHINGTON Northwest TAAC 900 4th Avenue Suite 2430 Seattle, WA 98164 206-622-2730 (voice) 206-622-1105 (fax) ALABAMA, TENNESSEE, KENTUCKY, MISSISSIPPI, GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, FLORIDA Southeastern TAAC GA Institute of Technology 151 6th Street O'Keefe Building, Room 145 Atlanta, GA 30332 404-894-6789 (voice) 404-853-9172 (fax) NEW YORK New York State TAAC Binghamton Office 117 Hawley Street, Suite 102 Binghamton, NY 13901 607-771-0875 (voice) 607-724-2404 (fax) COLORADO, UTAH, NEBRASKA, SOUTH DAKOTA, NORTH DAKOTA, WYOMING, NEW MEXICO Rocky Mountain TAAC 5353 Manhattan Circle Suite 200 Boulder, CO 80303 303-499-8222 (voice) 303-499-8298 (fax) TEXAS, LOUISIANA, OKLAHOMA Southwest TAAC 1222 N. Main Street, Suite 740 San Antonio, TX 78212 210-558-2490 (voice) 210-558-2491 (fax) ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, HAWAII Western TAAC Univ. of Southern California Univ. Park, Research Annex 3716 S. Hope, 2nd Floor, Suite 200 Los Angeles, CA 90007 213-743-2732 (voice) 213-746-9043 (fax)
Government Contracting Program
| Objective: | To assist small businesses in obtaining contracts and subcontracts to provide supplies and services for the federal government. |
| Eligibility: | Small businesses. |
| Cost: | No cost for services. |
| Services: | Counseling and general assistance in obtaining federal contracts and subcontracts. |
Description
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has several government contracting initiatives designed to help small enterprises gain access to the billions of dollars spent each year by the federal government for goods and services. The SBA, working closely with other federal agencies and large contractors, carries out its procurement assistance responsibilities through a number of programs.
Prime Contracting (for companies wishing to sell directly to government agencies). Procurement center representatives (PRCs), located at selected military and civilian locations with major buying programs, work to make sure that small businesses are considered when the federal government awards prime contracts valued at more than $25,000. Though their work is usually informal, PRCs often participate in procurement assistance conferences and other outreach efforts, and they work with individual small businesses having difficulties with particular agencies.
Subcontracting (for companies wishing to sell to a prime contractor). The SBA works to ensure that all major contracts with the government include provisions for subcontracting work to small and disadvantaged businesses. The SBA produces the Small Business Subcontracting Directory, which lists major prime contractors offering the greatest potential for subcontract work.
Procurement Automated Source System (PASS)/Electronic Data Interchange. The existing computer-based list of small businesses interested in being prime or subcontractors, known as PASS, soon will be replaced by the new Electronic Data Interchange system for federal procurement information. Currently, when procurement agencies or prime contractors ask for possible small firms to contact when seeking goods and services, SBA uses PASS to identify prospects. Small businesses that produce goods or provide services that might be sought by either the federal government or prime contractors can be included in PASS if they submit a one-page registration form, available from any SBA office.
Certificates of Competency Program (COC). If any contracting officer rejects a small company's low bid because of concerns about the firm's ability to deliver according to contract specifications, the company can ask the SBA to evaluate the situation. As part of this review, the SBA offers the company the opportunity to apply for the agency's Certificate of Competency (COC). The COC certifies the "capability, competency, credit, integrity, perseverance and tenacity" of a firm to perform on a specific government contract. If granted, the COC requires award of the rejected contract to the firm.
Natural Resources Sales Assistance. The SBA provides information and other assistance to small businesses interested in purchasing or leasing government property. The program is intended to make sure that small operations have fair access to government property sales and leases.
In addition to these initiatives, the SBA helps small businesses locate appropriate agencies that may have an interest in the firm's products. Through published directories, SBA relationships, and the Commerce Business Daily, SBA field office staff work to bring small businesses and potential buyers together. Field staff also will help small businesses get on appropriate solicitation mailing lists (using "Solicitation Mailing List Application, Form 129").
Application Process
To apply for SBA procurement assistance, a firm simply must contact its nearest SBA district office. Published resources, such as the Small Business Subcontracting Directory, U.S. Government Purchasing and Sales Directory, and Commerce Business Daily, are available at local SBA offices for review. An application is required for the COC program. COC decisions are made within 15 days of applications.
Impact
In fiscal year 1994, small businesses received $56.6 billion in federal contracts and subcontracts; the SBA has estimated that these efforts saved the federal government approximately $219 million through increased competitiveness and efficiency. In addition, these efforts allow the SBA to establish relationships with various agencies and large prime contractors that can help overcome the natural tendency of contracting officers to procure goods and services from familiar, large business sources.
Success Stories
The SBA was not available to provide specific examples for its procurement assistance efforts.
Future Prospects
Contracting efforts are provided as part of the SBA's stable of technical assistance and small business advocacy services. While overall appropriations are likely to be reduced, small business procurement services seem secure. The effectiveness of these services, however, may be affected by the extent to which general government demand for goods and services declines.
Contacts
Manufacturers interested in government contracting can contact the SBA district office listed under the Section 7(a) Loan program profile on page 10. Also, the Office of Government Contracting at the U.S. Small Business Administration can provide some assistance on government contracting. For general information on the program, an interested manufacturer may call the Small Business Answer Desk at 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (TDD users, 202-205-7333) or review on-line services at the numbers and address below.
Small Business Administration
Office of Government Contracting
409 3rd St., SW
Washington, D.C. 20416
202-205-6460 (voice)
SBA Bulletin Board:
1-800-697-4636 (outside D.C.)
Internet Address:
telnet://sbaonline.sba.gov
http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov