Business Resources

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The Commonwealth of Virginia offers many opportunities for new businesses to receive counseling, technical assistance, training support, and much more. Resources are also available through the County of Roanoke and various national and international private business services groups including:

  • MidAtlantic Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (MATAAC) - If your company is facing import competition, MATAAC’s team of experienced professionals can recommend and implement strategies to strengthen your competitiveness. To qualify, businesses must manufacture or process a physical product and experience: 
    • A decline in dollar or unit sales of a major product line 
    • A decline or impending decline in employment 
    • A growing import
  • Roanoke Regional Partnership - The Roanoke Regional Partnership is the regional economic development organization responsible for marketing the region to prospective business and industry. The Partnership is a leader in economic and demographic research, leveraging regional economic development assets and branding, and implementing creative economic development programs and policies.
  • Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) - The SCORE Association is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and is dedicated to aiding in the formation, growth, and success of small businesses nationwide. SCORE provides small business mentoring and advice on a full range of business topicsn
  • Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - The Virginia Small Business Development Center represents the most extensive business development program in the Commonwealth. Regional SBDC’s provide high-quality, in-depth business counseling and training services to help grow and strengthen Virginia’s businesses. The information, management counseling, and technical assistance services of the VSBDC professional staff are provided at no charge, or a nominal fee may be charged for training workshops. For more information, contact the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center (RRSBDC) at 540-983-0717, or visit the RRSBDC website.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Small Business Resources - The United States Environmental Protection Agency provides an array of resources, including workshops, training sessions, hotlines, websites and guides, to help small businesses understand and comply with federal and state environmental laws. In addition to helping small businesses understand their environmental obligations and improve compliance, these resources will also help such businesses find cost-effective ways to comply through pollution prevention techniques and innovative technologies. View the Small Business Resources Information Sheet (PDF).
  • Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) - This state-chartered, nonprofit corporation is dedicated to building Virginia’s future through technology innovation. The CIT provides access to technology expertise, expands Virginia’s research and development and technology infrastructure and creates collaborative environments to advance Virginia’s technology future.
  • Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) - The mission of the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity is to promote access to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s contracting opportunities and ensure fairness in the procurement process. SBSDhas two key goals:
    1. Increase the number of certified businesses in the Commonwealth
    2. Increase the total dollars allocated to SWaM vendors as a percentage of all discretionary spend or contract dollars.
  • Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)- Cultivating new business investment, fostering international trade growth and encouraging the expansion of existing Virginia businesses.
    • Office of International Trade - This office promotes international trade for companies throughout Virginia, with a mission of increasing the number of Virginia companies selling overseas as well as their volume of international business. Assistance is provided to both new and experienced exporters as they seek to enter new international markets. Services include identifying potential new markets and market research, developing market entry strategies and identifying potential distributors for products and services at reduced costs. 
    • Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) - The Virginia Jobs Investment Program is an economic development incentive supporting the creation of new jobs and investment throughout the Commonwealth. The program offsets the recruiting and training costs of new and expanding companies by providing customized services and funding to qualifying companies that are creating new jobs or experiencing technological change. The program specifically addresses the top concern of existing businesses as well as economic development prospects, finding and developing a skilled workforce

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Resources

Continue to the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Resources page.