SBA: Business Information Centers

SBA Business Information Centers operate under the direction of local Small Business Administration offices. Operations assistance is provided by private-sector co-sponsors, Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) volunteers, local chambers of commerce and educational or business-related organizations.

SBA Business Information Centers Resources

Business owners or individuals interested in starting a business can use BIC services as often as they wish for free. For anyone planning to start a business, these visits will be quite frequent, because doing the necessary research takes quite a bit of time.

Technical assistance and support

Provided with free Internet access, PCs, graphic work stations, current word processing, database research and graphics software to create company brochures, letterhead and advertising materials and to write business plans.

On-site One-on-one Business Counseling

Invaluable advice from experienced businesspeople can help your new business attain liftoff or help your existing business grow. SCORE volunteers provide how-to advice on the evaluation and improvement of your marketing and sales techniques, including diversification into new products or services, product and services pricing and information on exports for both startups and established businesses. In addition, the SCORE volunteers also brings to the table a valuable network of local contacts that can steer you in the direction of needed financing.

Reference materials

BICs grant free access to the SBA's Web site, offer an extensive business reference library and industry publications, interactive CD-Rom and management training seminars and videos are also offered. Free access to the SBA’s Web page and Online, the SBA's electronic bulletin board, is provided. Business Information Centers (BICs) provide clients with free Internet for conducting market research, identify competitors and access the SBA and interactive or CD-ROM on-line training programs.

SBA Budget Cuts Phasing Out BIC Program

Unfortunately, the BIC program is currently being phased out due to budget cuts (as of June, 2005), according to an SBA spokesperson. Because funding cuts make the future of many BICs uncertain, some local city libraries are taking over some of the same functions as are Small Business Development Centers SMDCs (See the article on SBDCs at xxx). Local libraries may or may not have the same materials available, depending upon city and county budgets. Some local colleges and universities may bridge the gap. Call your local higher education institution for additional information on what materials they offer and what they require to provide you with access to them.

SBA Business Information Centers Information

SBA Answer Desk at 1-800-827-5722 during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, Eastern Standard Time).To get the location of the nearest operating BIC near you.

SBA Home page Click on the US map to locate a district office near you, then call for the location of a local BIC

YellowPages.com for a listing of libraries nationwide that may offer BIC-like programs