Small Business Resources

For Business Grant and Loan programs, see City Grant/Loan Programs (includes CEED programs).

Small Business Center at FTCC
The Small Business Center at FTCC offers a variety of services to help existing businesses grow and serves first time entrepreneurs. The center can provide counseling and offers a multitude of different classes and seminars from starting a business to growing your business through marketing or applying for SBA loans.

Center for Economic Empowerment & Development (CEED)
Center for Economic Empowerment & Development (CEED, formerly The Women’s Center, is a regional and community advocacy and resource center for men and women that provides business assistance to start up and expanding small businesses. Services include education and job skill training.

WBC at CEED
The Office of Women’s Business Ownership’s mission is to establish and oversee a network of Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) throughout the United States and its territories. Through the management and technical assistance provided by the WBCs, entrepreneurs, especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged, are offered comprehensive training and counseling on a vast array of topics in many languages to help them start and grow their own businesses.

Fayetteville Regional Chamber
The Fayetteville Regional Chamber strives to improve quality of life by creating wealth, jobs and investment in our community.

Small Business Administration (SBA)
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC)
Organized as an inter-institutional program of the University of North Carolina, operated in partnership with the SBA, the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is the primary organization through which the State of North Carolina provides counseling and technical assistance to the business community. The SBTDC’s mission is to support the growth and development of North Carolina’s economy by encouraging entrepreneurship, assisting in the creation and expansion of small businesses, and facilitating technology development and transfer.

North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC)
The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) is a business development organization and a collaborative effort between North Carolina business and the North Carolina Community College System. The mission of the Military Business Center is to leverage military and other federal business opportunities for economic development and quality of life in North Carolina.

Cumberland Regional Improvement Corporation (CRIC)
Cumberland Regional Improvement Corporation (CRIC) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization incorporated for the purpose of raising the economic, educational, and social welfare levels of low wealth areas of communities, through partnerships that increases the opportunities to own, manage and operate business enterprises that will result in long-term sustainable growth in businesses and human capital. CRIC’s is committed to promoting and advocating Historically Underutilized Businesses [HUBs] by providing managerial and technical assistance and businesses development services that supports the growth of minority and women –owned business.

NC Procurement Technical Assistance Center
NC PTAC helps businesses obtain contracts by providing comprehensive assistance in selling products and services to local, state and federal government entities. The purpose of the NC PTAC is to generate employment and to improve the general economic condition of the state by assisting all North Carolina companies including those eligible for preferential consideration in obtaining and performing under local, state and federal government contracts.

Fayetteville Cool Springs Downtown District
The Fayetteville Cool Springs Downtown District is a non profit organization, which encourages downtown business growth and promotes downtown to the public.

Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center
Free computer classes and private instruction available.