your one-stop resource for everything related to starting a small business in colorado.
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works with statewide partners to create a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. They strive to advance the state’s economy through financial and technical assistance in support of local and regional economic development activities throughout Colorado.
OEDIT assists in:
Below are some services offered through OEDIT:
The SBDC network is dedicated to helping small businesses throughout Colorado achieve goals of growth expansion, innovation, increased productivity, management improvement and success. The SBDC network combines information and resources from federal, state and local government with those of the education system and the private sector to meet the specialized and complex needs of the small business community. Regulatory, management, financial and marketing experts work in partnership to provide entrepreneurs with crucial information that can mean the difference between success and failure. This partnership includes the State of Colorado, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Colorado’s institutions of higher education, local economic development organizations and local Chambers of Commerce.
The Colorado SBDC operates the Colorado SBDC Business Navigator, which serves as the first point of contact for information regarding federal, state and local licensing requirements for starting a business. This office provides referrals to a variety of federal, state, local small business training, consulting and assistance programs. Sixteen community-based SBDC service centers provide free one-on-one counseling services in the areas of business research, marketing, new business feasibility analysis, business plan preparation, finance packaging and other small business topics. Local SBDCs offer low cost workshops and seminars for business owners and act as information clearing houses. Individual local offices also specialize in international trade, government procurement, manufacturing, home-based business and technology resources. The Colorado Leading Edge entrepreneurial training program assists businesses in completing a comprehensive business plan. The primary emphasis of the Leading Edge program is to provide assistance to established business owners. However, new and prospective business owners are also encouraged to participate in training programs.
Minority Business Office (MBO), located within the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, is dedicated to advancing the efforts of Colorado’s minority, women, and veteran owned businesses. We have an established network of public, private and government resources that can be leveraged by businesses of all types and sizes. We can help you establish yourself in the marketplace, expand your knowledge of business, get in front of the right people , and help expand your prospects. We also offer an export grant program in partnership with the World Trade Center. For more information, visit www.mbocolorado.com.
The International Trade Office (ITO) has two primary functions: helping Colorado companies export their products and services to international markets, and attracting foreign investment that provides jobs for Colorado residents. By promoting Colorado exports and attracting foreign investment, the ITO helps to build Colorado’s identity as an international business center. The ITO is open to the public and most services are rendered at no cost.
Geographic specialists help Colorado companies evaluate readiness to export, identify market opportunities and provide market intelligence, determine export regulations and provide information on shipping and tariffs. They perform customized market research and provide foreign contacts based on company needs. ITO staff organizes inbound and outbound trade missions to introduce Colorado companies to potential foreign buyers and distributors. The ITO actively promotes Colorado as a place for foreign companies to invest. Whether seeking joint venture partners, looking for a business location or sourcing suppliers, the ITO provides assistance specific to the needs of foreign companies to support employment grown and retention. For more information, visit www.advancecolorado.com.
Stimulates and supports growth of all segments of the Colorado film and video industry. Promotes Colorado as a location for film making, commercial shoots and still photography. www.coloradofilm.org
The Global Business Development division elevates Colorado businesses and communities by offering programs, services and incentives that foster an innovative and healthy economy where people, businesses and communities thrive. Such offerings include tax incentives and grant programs related to business recruitment, retention and expansion, foreign direct investment and data analytics services.
The Colorado Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Act (HB 07-1288) funds grant projects that promote economic development through the management of materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Multiple grant opportunities are available for projects that support recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, source reduction, and the beneficial use/reuse of materials.
Mini-grants offer a simplified application process for small-scale projects with a goal of resource recovery and waste diversion. Grant funds may be used for equipment, supplies, and/or outreach materials.
The purpose of this grant offering is to fund infrastructure projects that focus on recycling, composting, waste minimization, anaerobic digestion, repurposing, or reuse for a wide variety of materials and to create jobs in the waste diversion industry. Grant funds may be used for equipment, supplies, consultants, permitting costs, engineering, program development, and outreach materials. Grant funds cannot be used for research and design.
CDPHE will soon launch a program focused on expanding or establishing new local end-markets for recyclable or compostable materials. Colorado NextCycle will actively solicit new, cutting-edge ideas and provide technical assistance to program participants to refine their project idea and develop a sound business plan. If this program is successful, in 2019 the RREO program will offer a special grant opportunity for program participants to help turn their idea into reality.
For additional information about the RREO Program, or any of these funding opportunities, visit our webpage.
Colorado Business Development Foundation
info@coloradobdf.org
www.coloradobdf.org
Small Business Navigator Hotline: 303-592-5920
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All information within this resource book and website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal, tax, business or other professional advice. It is current to the best of our knowledge as of the date of publication. You should contact an appropriate professional to discuss any issue particular to you or your business and only rely upon your own research into those issues. Use of and access to this resource book or the associated website does not create any relationship between the publisher, authors, and the reader, or any other individual or entity. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, THE MATERIALS AND INFORMATION IN THIS RESOURCE BOOK AND WEBSITE ARE DISTRIBUTED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
