If you have always had an entrepreneurial
spirit and are looking to start your own business, the Rockford
Public Library’s Financial
Opportunity Center can help. Below are local resources that you
can call to find more information about your new venture. Or
click here to see a list of online resources.
Rockford Public Library Financial Opportunities Center
The Financial Opportunities Center (FOC) is located on the second floor
of the Main Library in downtown Rockford. Over 1,000 business resources
are available for check-out to help you answer questions such as “How
to Start a Business,” “How to Teach Your Kids About Money,” “How
to Invest Wisely” and lots more. Librarians are also available
to assist you in finding the materials you need or helping you find
local resources for all of your business needs.
FOC…………………………………….(815)
965-7606, press option 2.
Small Business Development Center
The Rockford office of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
is located at Rock Valley College. The SBDC offers consulting and
other assistance to businesses that are starting up or expanding.
Principal services include help with business plans, financials,
taxes, licensing and regulations. The SBDC consults with 400 clients
each year, and helped secure $2 million in financing for small
business. It sponsors or co-sponsors more than 30 workshops and
seminars each year.
SBDC…………………………….(815)
921-2081
SCORE; Counselors to America’s Small Business
SCORE's unpaid volunteers share their business experience and provide "free" business
counseling to anyone who is operating a small business or thinking
about starting one. The SCORE Association (Service Corps of Retired
Executives) is a national non-profit association composed of retired
and semi-retired executives and business owners. There is no charge
for the service and all information is confidential. The national
website address is www.score.org and the local website link is www.northernillinoisscore.org.
SCORE………………………………..(815)
962-0122
Rock River Valley Entrepreneurship Center
A new initiative, the Rock River Valley Entrepreneurship Center,
helps stimulate the local business climate by providing accelerated
services to higher growth potential businesses. The center links
companies and entrepreneurs who can create jobs with investors
and manufacturers, resulting in a win-win relationship. The Entrepreneurship
Center is located at Rock Valley College and also serves as the
gateway to the Illinois Opportunity Fund.
Entrepreneurship Center……………(815)
921-2054.
Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce
The Rockford Regional Chamber of Commerce (RCAC) is a market-driven,
voluntary membership organization whose purpose is to advance the
business and community interests of our members and improve the
business climate generally through facilitating, advocating, and
providing information and leadership in business, governmental
and civic matters that benefit Rockford and the Northern Illinois
region. The website is located at www.rockfordchamber.com.
RCAC………………………………(815)
987-8100
Rockford Area Council of 100
The Council of 100 staff functions as a nonprofit consulting company
to provide professional, confidential client services. Clients
are screened and qualified based on their ability to make new or
expanded investments in the economic base of the Rockford Area.
Council of 100 staff provides confidential services include site
selection, utility and infrastructure analysis, permitting assistance,
state and local incentive support, local agency coordination, marketing
and public relations support, international trade assistance, regional
demographics research, supply chain referrals, assistance for transferring
employees, and workforce development. The website is located at
www.rockfordil.com.
Council
of 100……………………(815)
987-8118
More Links for Starting A Business
