U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - Rhode Island District Office

The Rhode Island District Office of the SBA serves as a crucial link between federal resources and the state's small business community. The SBA provides a wide array of support, primarily focusing on facilitating access to funding, offering expert counseling, and assisting with federal contracting opportunities. Their comprehensive approach aims to empower small businesses to start, grow, and succeed within the Rhode Island economic landscape. The Rhode Island District Office of the SBA is located at 380 Westminster St., Room 511, Providence, RI 02903 and can be reached by phone at 401-528-4561. For appointment inquiries, individuals can send a message through their website (Contact | U.S. Small Business Administration).

Funding programs:

• 7(a) loans, which provide versatile financing for a wide range of business purposes (7(a) loans | U.S. Small Business Administration).
• 504 loans are specifically designed for purchasing major fixed assets, such as equipment or real estate (504 loans | U.S. Small Business Administration).
• Microloans, which provide short-term loans for various purposes (Microloans | U.S. Small Business Administration).
• Disaster assistance loans to help businesses recover from declared disasters (Disaster assistance | U.S. Small Business Administration).

Investment Capital:

• (Investment capital | U.S. Small Business Administration)
• Surety bonds, which are often required for certain contracts (Surety bonds | U.S. Small Business Administration).
• Grants, including the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), which supports export promotion activities (Grants | U.S. Small Business Administration, State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) | U.S. Small Business Administration).

Federal contracting:

• Contracting guide (Contracting guide | U.S. Small Business Administration)
• Contracting assistance programs specifically for Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Women-Owned Small Businesses, and Veteran-owned businesses, compete for and secure federal contracts (Contracting assistance programs | U.S. Small Business Administration).
• Counseling and help through contracting area directors, procurement center representatives, and commercial market representatives (Counseling and help | U.S. Small Business Administration).

Learning platform:

• MySBA Learning (SBA Learning Center), which provides online courses and resources covering essential business skills. 
• Boots to Business, an entrepreneurship program tailored for veterans (https://www.sba.gov/sba-learning-platform/boots-business)

Resource partners:

• Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), which provide comprehensive counseling, training, and technical assistance to small businesses (https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/small-business-development-centers-sbdc).
• SCORE Business Mentoring offers free, confidential business mentoring and workshops delivered by experienced volunteers (https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/score-business-mentoring).
• Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program specifically supports veteran entrepreneurs in their business endeavors (https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/veterans-business-outreach-center-vboc-program).
• Women's Business Centers offer targeted resources and support designed to empower women entrepreneurs (https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/womens-business-centers).

Export and trade assistance :

• Export Finance Managers (Export Finance Managers | U.S. Small Business Administration)
• U.S. Export Assistance Centers (U.S. Export Assistance Centers | U.S. Small Business Administration), 

Other:

• Priorities Guide, which include supporting American manufacturers and fostering the development of small business resource hubs (Priorities | U.S. Small Business Administration).
• Doing Business in Rhode Island Guide provides valuable information on how to register a business in the state, access relevant state and federal resources, and connect with local lenders (Doing Business in the Rhode Island District | U.S. Small Business Administration).

Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Rhode Island Small Business Development Center, hosted by the University of Rhode Island, plays a vital role in supporting the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing accessible and expert guidance to small business owners. The RISBDC offers a range of services, with a core focus on delivering no-cost, confidential one-on-one counseling and affordable training programs to both aspiring and established small businesses across Rhode Island. This personalized and readily available support serves as a critical resource for entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of the business world.

Rhode Island Department of State

The RI Business Assistant is an interactive tool for business owners and non-profit members to create a customized checklist of legal requirements and support resources tailored to their specific needs. The tool can be found here: Business Assistant

Other Key Industry Associations and Organizations

• Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) ribba.org - RIBBA offers a comprehensive suite of programs and services focused on fostering business development, providing mentorship opportunities, facilitating access to financial assistance, and offering crucial support in areas such as marketing, website development, and legal services. Their initiatives are specifically designed to help Black-owned small businesses grow, build sustainable wealth, and create jobs within their communities.
• RI Small Business HUB risbhub.com - provides a valuable array of free services to qualified small businesses in Rhode Island.3 These services include expert legal advice and assistance, accounting and bookkeeping support, marketing and communications guidance, and website development services. The HUB also offers specific programs such as a Capital Readiness Program, a W/MBE Certification Program, and initiatives focused on supporting local businesses and the construction industry.
• RIHub rihub.org - plays a critical role in supporting entrepreneurs and startups within the state.16 This non-profit organization provides a collaborative workspace, facilitates networking opportunities, offers mentorship from experienced professionals, and helps connect startups with potential investors. RIHub's mission is to help entrepreneurs effectively focus their ingenuity and innovation by providing the necessary resources and connections.
• Polaris MEP polarismep.org - provides specialized resources and support to help Rhode Island manufacturers enhance their competitiveness and achieve operational excellence. Their services often include assistance with process improvement, technology adoption, and workforce.
• Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE) cweonline.org - is a dedicated resource for women entrepreneurs in Rhode Island. CWE offers a wide range of programs, including education and training, technical assistance, and access to capital, specifically tailored to support women at every stage of their business development journey. Their comprehensive approach aims to empower women to successfully launch and grow their businesses.
• DesignxRI designxri.com - is a non-profit economic development organization focused on creating an environment where Rhode Island designers, design businesses, and the broader design sector can thrive. They offer various programs and initiatives aimed at fostering opportunities, promoting collaboration, and supporting the growth of the design industry within the state.
• Rhode Island Procurement Technical Assistance Center www.riptac.org - provides a variety of services to Rhode Island-based businesses of all sizes to help them navigate the complexities of contracting with federal agencies, state purchasing departments, and local governments.  Receive guidance through all facets of contracting, including acquisition planning, subcontracting, solicitation analysis, proposal development, dispute mitigation, cost/price analysis, and post ­award administration.  RI PTAC services are free to all Rhode Island businesses.
• Composites Alliance of Rhode Island www.ricomposites.com- was formed to grow the sector and ensure purchasers of composites technology around the world know about the strong capabilities in Rhode Island. The Composites Alliance also provides a nexus where these companies can share expertise and focuses on workforce-development programs to ensure a skilled labor pool.
• Hope & Main www.makefoodyourbusiness.org - whose goal is to help grow the local food economy by creating a community of support for food entrepreneurs and cultivating an environment where emerging culinary startups can test, create, scale, and thrive. This is a place where food producers, farmers, fishermen and other industry members can connect directly with consumers, engage the community and collaborate with peers.
• Rhode Island Marine Trades Association (RIMTA) www.rimta.org- represents all aspects of the recreational boating industry in its home state. They are dedicated to growing Rhode Island’s marine trades through advocacy, education, and promotion and positioning the Ocean State as a worldwide leader in the marine industry.
• SENEDIA www.senedia.org- was formed to identify, champion and coordinate issues that contribute to our National security and provide benefit to our members, local communities, the Department of Defense and Homeland Security, and other Federal Government agencies. SENEDIA’s vision is to be a catalyst for thought leadership and technical innovation in undersea technology, cybersecurity and other critical defense technologies. Our mission is to enable the development of the innovative technology, foster thought leadership and facilitate required workforce development.
• Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium www.underseatech.org- promotes the rapid development, prototyping and commercialization of innovative undersea and maritime technology and advances learning in the undersea and maritime sector for commercial, academic, and defense organizations.

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation stands as the state's leading economic development agency, playing a pivotal role in cultivating an environment where businesses can thrive, and investments can flourish.

Commerce manages a number of programs described below: