Business Resources

BBB helps people find and recommend businesses, brands, and charities they can trust.

Our department serves hundreds of thousands of Utahns from various backgrounds with different types of needs. Through our divisions, we make a difference in the lives of many through temporary assistance and services for employment, child care, low-income families, refugees, individuals with disabilities, affordable housing and homelessness. In addition, we support the economic stability of Utah by providing support to businesses by connecting them to qualified candidates and managing unemployment insurance. We are also the source of economic data and research on Utah’s economy. Explore each of our divisions to learn more about the services and programs that strengthen our communities.

Since 1987, EDCUtah has worked with state and local government and private industry to attract and grow competitive, high-value companies and spur the expansion of local Utah businesses. EDCUtah is a private nonprofit organization. Considering a new Utah operation? From first call to ribbon cutting, our Business Development consultants provide free, expert consulting on all things Utah. Expanding your Utah operation? We are eager to help local companies find the public and private support they need to grow successfully at home. Looking to join us? Let us connect you to more than 300 corporate and government investors working together to ensure Utah’s economic prosperity.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a program for small businesses that links learning to action. Through the program, participants will gain practical skills in topics such as negotiation, marketing, and employee management that can immediately be put into action. In addition, they will receive the tools and professional support they need to develop a strategic and customized business growth plan that will take their company to the next level.

Local First Utah is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that seeks to strengthen communities and local economies by promoting, preserving, and protecting local, independently owned businesses throughout Utah. Organized in 2005 by a small number of volunteer business owners and community-minded residents, Local First Utah today has more than 2,700 locally owned and independent business partners, including citizens and government organizations across the state. Local First Utah is open to all Utah businesses that are at least 51% locally-owned and make their business decisions independently. There is no class of membership in the organization and registration is free.

NFIB is the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. When a big issue affects small and independent businesses, NFIB is there. We have been for 75 years, and we will continue to be. We represent our members’ interests—our one member, one vote balloting process guides our work. NFIB has an ear to the ground on what’s happening in Washington, D.C., and the state capitals. That puts NFIB at the forefront of advocating on today’s most pressing small business issues, such as taxes, healthcare, and regulations.

Utah’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) program helps Utah small businesses to find, bid and win procurement opportunities with federal, state, and local government entities. Through one-on-one and group counseling PTAC educates and assists Utah businesses to more effectively compete in the government marketplace. PTAC provides a bid-matching service to help businesses identify relevant contracting opportunities and then offers technical assistance on many aspects of the government contracting process including, but not limited to, B2G marketing, diversity program eligibility and solicitation response document review. PTAC can also assist Utah contractors/vendors/suppliers with other aspects of the procurement process including government contracting readiness assessment, GSA assistance and registration for government contracting set-aside programs. Government contracting can be complicated. To date, PTAC has successfully assisted hundreds of Utah small businesses who have been awarded close to one-half of a trillion dollars. If your small business is looking for a way to expand its customer base, government contracting may be an option. Utah PTAC is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and the state of Utah.

The Miller Business Resource Center (MBRC) offers a wide range of services and support to businesses and organizations within our community. Additionally, the MBRC has community and industry partnerships that also provide assistance to the Center. We are also home to the Goldman-Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. No other business resource center in Utah provides the complete and comprehensive level of help and expertise offered by the MBRC. The Miller Business Resource Center is uniquely positioned to assist businesses and organizations with a wide range of solutions and resources. If you own a business or are a leader within a business organization, you’ve come to the right place. Our goal is to provide you with the tools you need to succeed.

Municipal economic development means working collaboratively with Salt Lake County’s metro townships and cities to meet their respective needs. Our partners receive assistance in formulating and executing economic plans that play to our client’s strengths. Our team also works to attract jobs and cultivate resilient communities through financing redevelopment activities.

Build your business by utilizing resources provided through the Salt Lake County Library!

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and has been mentoring small business owners for more than forty years. Want to start a business? Ready to take your company to the next level? Are you struggling? We advise on topics from management, marketing, sales training, hiring, financing, incorporation and other legal matters, business plans, viability studies, social media or a multitude of other issues. SCORE is a valuable network of 13,000+ volunteers who offer small business entrepreneurs confidential business counseling services at no charge. SCORE volunteers have the knowledge and experience to help any small business owner get the help they need. Our dedicated volunteers represent over 3,000 years of experience across 62 industries. SCORE also provides local workshops and events throughout the country to connect small business owners with the people and information they need to start, grow, and maintain their businesses, as well as online workshops available 24/7. SCORE provides resources, templates and tools to assist entrepreneurs in developing tools and plans they need to navigate their way to small business success. Founded in 1964, SCORE is headquartered in Herndon, VA and has 364 chapters throughout the United States and its territories, with over 13,000 volunteers nationwide.

The Suazo Center for Business Development and Entrepreneurship is a non-profit business resource center committed to the development and empowerment of the Latino/Hispanic and other underserved communities. We assist existing and potential minority entrepreneurs in succeeding and building wealth.

Over the years, the SBA has developed many small business loan and assistance programs, special outreach efforts and initiatives to aid and inform small businesses. The following describes briefly all the services and information available through this office: Financial assistance for new or existing businesses through guaranteed loans made by area bank and non-bank lenders. Use Lender Match to find local lenders. Free counseling, advice and information on starting, better operating or expanding a small business through (SCORE) Counselors to America’s Small Business. Assistance to businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals through the Minority Enterprise Development Program. Women's Business Ownership Representatives are available to advise women business owners. Special loan programs are available for businesses involved in international trade. If you're a veteran or native american, you can get business counseling and information about SBA guaranteed loans.

In 2008, the Utah State Legislature signed into law the Utah Business Resource Centers Act. Business Resource Centers (BRCs) are convenient “one-stop-shops” to address the needs of new or growing businesses throughout the state. Through on-site or over-the-phone assessments with clients, BRCs offer comprehensive services and ongoing assistance to help businesses expand. Formed in partnership with a local college or university, BRCs house various business service providers in a single location, and the on-site staff is equipped to answer questions ranging from business planning to finding funding and more. BRC staffs coordinate the resources of local business service provider partners to make the delivery of solutions more effective for the business customer. BRCs are tailored to the local community they serve and have service providers who are experts in their fields. Some of the partners found at the BRCs include the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) which is sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) which provides governmental contracting assistance, Manufacturers Extension Partnership (MEP), Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), and the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) agency. In addition, investors, microloan organizations, business incubators, chambers of commerce, local economic develop¬ment organizations and resources are available at the local educational sponsor. Because BRCs are interconnected statewide, directors can access fellow centers to find a solution for a specific business.

The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) charter is based on Governor Herbert’s commitment to economic development statewide. The mandate for this office is to provide rich business resources for the creation, growth and recruitment of companies to Utah and to increase tourism and film production in the state. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development accomplishes this mission through the administration of programs that are based around industries or “economic clusters” that demonstrate the best potential for development. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development utilizes state resources and private sector contracts to fulfill its mission.

Utah Independent Business Coalition (formerly Vest Pocket) is a collaborative association of Utah’s locally owned businesses. These businesses lend a unique flavor and a “sense of place” to our communities. They are the small stores, cafes, and professional services businesses that are at the heart of our most cherished neighborhoods. Utah Independent Business Coalition is committed to building a stronger independent business community through education, advocacy, and social connections.

Since 1991, the Utah Microloan Fund (formerly Utah Micro-Enterprise Loan Fund) has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs make their dreams come true by providing low-interest small business loans. Our mission is to empower underserved communities throughout Utah by providing business training and funding to entrepreneurs in start-up & existing businesses that do not qualify for traditional funding sources. How are we different from other financial institutions? The UMLF helps people who 1) are just starting out and don’t have an operating history, 2) don’t have enough collateral for a conventional loan, and/or 3) have had life events that have had a negative impact on their credit scores. We are designed to support business owners by offering small business loans of up to $50,000. Our application and loan process is simple and can provide funds for equipment, inventory, and/or working capital. Our experienced staff is ready to support you on your path to small business success through our financing options and provide training opportunities. Together we will help you develop the skills you need to reach your goals. Call, email or stop by our office to learn more about how the UMLF can help you today!

Our mission is to help educate food lovers about the economic impact of supporting local small food-producers and showcase the incredibly large and diverse local product offering our great state has! Weather its honey, cheese, farm grown produce or grass-fed beef – Utah is home fresh quality products that can becomes a staple at your dinner table.

The Utah Small Business Development Center Network has training, tools, and free access to advisers to help small business owners to succeed in starting and growing their businesses. Assisting business owners at any stage of their business, the SBDC’s certified business advisers are here to answer your questions. Whether you need assistant to make actionable plans to get started, assess your current operational needs, get ready to grow your market, prepare for funding to accelerate your business or get ready to transition out of your business — the SBDC can help. Offering workshops, online training, and confidential one-to-one advice, the SBDC is here for you. With 14 locations throughout Utah, the SBDC has been assisting business owners since 1982. Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Utah State Legislature, and hosting state universities and colleges, the SBDC is here to help with training and free advising. Utah SBDC network is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs.

The mission of WTC Utah is to guide Utah companies into profitable global markets. WTC Utah builds Utah’s international community by offering signature services: Assessment of a company’s current global position or international strategy, Education in the form of seminars and workshops to help develop global strategy, and Connections through the World Trade Center network and co-hosted local events to help in executing global strategy. In addition, WTC Utah offers customized market intelligence reports and access to the network of over 330 World Trade Centers around the globe that facilitates international trade and investment. Strategic partners include the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, U.S. Commercial Service, Salt Lake Chamber, Economic Development Corporation of Utah, iand Utah Technology Council.

The Business Resource Center is here to help you find answers and resources, develop strategies, solve problems, and get guidance with business, marketing, sales, financing, management, growth opportunities and more.