Virginia Department of Business Assistance

1. Virginia Department of Business Assistance David Fuller Manager, Business Services 804-371-8131 David.Fuller@vdba.virginia.gov

2. Virginia ranked #1 state for business by Forbes.com last four years. • Virginia one of “Five Best States to Start A Business” – U.S. News & World Report • Entrepreneur.com named Virginia the second best state for entrepreneurs. • Ranked #1 most business friendly state by Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc. last two years. • Virginia was ranked second in the nation in its use of information technology to benefit citizens in the 2006 Digital States Survey. • Virginia ranked second for business by Directorship magazine. • Named one of the best states for business by CNBC last two years.

3. 75% of the net new jobs in Virginia are created by start-up and small businesses.

4. Virginia Department of Business Assistance The Virginia Department of Business Assistance promotes economic growth in the Commonwealth by helping Virginia businesses to prosper. We connect businesses with resources with: • Business Information Services • Workforce incentives and training • Financing

5. Business Information Services • To support formation of new and expansion of • Virginia’s existing businesses. • Formation Assistance • Virginia Business Information Center (VBIC) 1-866-248-8814 • Bridges the 26 state agencies and over 100 programs that may touch a Virginia business • Virginia Central Business Portal (www.business.virginia.gov) • Covers foundation, taxation, licensing • Interactive Business Plan CD • 5 Step process to a business plan • Entrepreneur Express 29 Events – 2006 / 95 Events – 2007 / 150 Events in 2008

6. Virginia’s Business One Stop Are you starting a business? Virginia’s Business One Stop system can help you determine your business formation requirements and can pre-fill your business registration forms. • Visit http://www.virginia.gov/bos/index.html to access the Business One Stop System. • Create a Business One Stop account. • Answer a few brief questions about your business. • Receive a list of action items and pre-filled business registration forms. Questions? Contact the Virginia Business Information Center 1-866-248-8814 (804) 371-0438 vbic@vdba.virginia.gov

7. Business Information Services Business Growth • Business Sales Growth Program • Market Research and Expansion • Financing • Growth Management • Partnered events for SWAM certification and eVA registration • One-on-one counseling sessions • Guidance/Assistance • Resource Availability • Networking of businesses and decision-makers

8. Starting and Growing a Business • Business Formation Assistance • Small Business Development Center Network = www.vasbdc.org • SCORE = www.score.org • Virginia Business Information Center = 866-248-8814 • Virginia Central Business Portal = www.business.virginia.gov • Virginia Business Incubator Association = http://www.vbia.org

9. Marketing Resources • SCORE = www.score.org • Virginia Tourism Corporation = www.vatc.org • Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc. = www.virginiabusiness.org • Virginia Department of Agriculture – Virginia’s Finest Trademark = www.vdacs.virginia.gov • Round the Mountain = www.roundthemountain.org • VECTEC = www.vectec.org • Virginia Economic Development Partnership – AIM Program = www.yesvirginia.org

10. Financing Resources • Virginia Small Business Financing Authority = www.vdba.virginia.gov • Small Business Development Center = www.vasbdc.org • Small Business Administration = www.sba.gov • Virginia Tourism Corporation = www.vatc.org • SBA 504 Loan Program, James River Development Corporation = fminton@aol.com • Local Economic Development Office or Chamber of Commerce • Virginia Small Business Financing Authority Capital Resources Directory = www.vdba.virginia.gov/financing/crd • Community Development Loan Fund, Capital Source = thayes@mycapitalsource.org