MAHONING VALLEY is for entrepreneurs
Your guide to business development resources in the Mahoning Valley.
Mahoning Valley is for Entrepreneurs is a collaboration of organizations, working together to provide better support for local entrepreneurs. Each of our organizations offer business assistance services, and we recognize it can be confusing determining where to go or who to call. Whether you’ve been in business for decades, or simply have a unique idea, all business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs have questions and we’re here to help. We’re working hard to streamline information and access to our resources so that it is easier for you to find what you’re looking for.
IDEA STARTUP EMERGING MATURE BUSINESS BUSINESS You have dreams of You have a written You have been an You have been an starting a business, business plan and are active business for at active business for but don’t know newly operational least two years. several years. where to start. Ideas and/or ready to make Your business stage may determine what resources should complete your first sale. are available to you. We’ve identified what services initial business are available to help entrepreneurs develop an idea, planning to move to launch a startup, or grow an emerging or the next stage. mature business. IDEA
Are you interested in starting a business? If so, we recommend checking out a Start Up Workshop at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County that shows you what it takes to start a business and all of the things that one must consider before jumping in. Additionally, there are several workshops and courses available throughout the area. For more information, we recommend that you contact the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation.
In order to start a business, we recommend that you do the following three things:
1. Organize Your Personal Finances 2. Take part in a workshop or course to learn about resources available and necessary steps. 3. Write a business plan.
Personal Idea Initial Business Organization Finance Development Planning BIC √ √ Common Wealth, Inc. ** Food-Related Businesses √ The Legal Creative ** Artists & Arts-Related Businesses √ SCORE Youngstown √ √ TBEIC ** Energy/Allied Product Businesses √ √ Women in Entrepreneurship √ √ YBI ** Tech/Digital Businesses √ √ YNDC √ √ √
Updated May 2017
2 CAPITAL
Capital includes the identification of available funding sources, predominately via loans.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature
BIC √ √ √ Common Wealth, Inc. ** Food-Related Businesses √ √ ECDI √ √ √ MVEDC √ √ √ MBAC √ √ √ NEODFA √ Ohio SBDC at YSU √ √ √ TBEIC ** Energy/Allied Product Businesses √ √ √
WRAP √ √ √ YWRC √ √ YBI ** Tech/Digital Businesses √ √ √ Youngstown, Department of Community Planning & Economic Development √ √ √
3 FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
Financial Analysis includes cash flow forecasts for loan applications and financial planning. It also may include financial modeling and analysis to examine the current profitability of a business and charts possible future business scenarios.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature
BIC √ √ √ MBAC √ √ √ Ohio SBDC at YSU √ √ √ TBEIC ** Energy/Allied Product Businesses √ √
GROWTH BUSINESS PLANNING
Growth Business Planning is advanced planning to assist with strategic development and expansion, including identifying new market opportunities.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature BIC √ √ √ MV PTAC √ MBAC √ √ √ Ohio SBDC at YSU √ √ √ SCORE Youngstown √ √ √ TBEIC ** Energy/Allied Product Businesses √ √ √ 4 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT
Intellectual Property Assessment is a preliminary review of patenting to determine potential markets for products and necessary next steps.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature BIC √ √ √ √ MBAC √ √ √ Ohio SBDC at YSU √ √ √ √ TBEIC ** Energy/Allied Product Businesses √ √ √ √ YBI ** Tech/Digital Businesses √ √
INTERNATIONAL SALES
International Sales includes export assistance and information on international trade.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature BIC √ √ MBAC √ √ Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network at YSU √ √ YWRC √ √
5 LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Legal Assistance includes services such as incorporation, taxation, contracting, employment, government regulation, and others.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature
BIC √ √ √ √ The Legal Creative **Artists & Arts-Related Businesses √ √ √ √ MBAC √ √ √ SEED Legal Clinic √ √ √ TBEIC ** Energy/Allied Product Businesses √ LICENSING & PERMITS
Licensing & Permits includes a review of federal, state, and local documents and certifications needed for varying types of busineses to legally function.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature
BIC √ √ √ √ Common Wealth, Inc. ** Food-Related Businesses √ √ √ MBAC √ √ √ Ohio SBDC at YSU √ √ √ √ Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network at YSU √ √ TBEIC ** Energy/Allied Product Businesses √ √ √ √ Youngstown, Department of Community Planning & Economic Development √ √ √ 6 OFFICE & PRODUCTION SPACE
Office & Production Space includes the availability of space for business development such as shared workspaces. It may also include access to equipment.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature
BIC √ √ √ √ Common Wealth, Inc. ** Food-Related Businesses √ √ √ Oak Hill Collaborative √ √ TBEIC ** Energy-Related Businesses √ √ √ √ WRAP √ √ √ YBI ** Tech/Digital Businesses √ √ √
ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT
Organizational Management includes the development of roles, responsibilities, accountability, and sustainability within the executive and organizational management structure.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature BIC √ √ MBAC √ √
7 PERSONAL FINANCE
Personal Finance includes learning and improving upon financial reports to build credit. Particularly for early-stage businesses, loan accessibility is dependent upon personal finances.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature YNDC √ √ √ √
PROCUREMENT
Procurement includes identifying and securing military and other federal, state, and local government contracts.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature
BIC √ √ MV PTAC √ √ MBAC √ √ TBEIC ** Energy/Allied Product Businesses √ √
8 REAL ESTATE ASSISTANCE
Real Estate Assistance includes identifying properties and spaces based on defined needs.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature BIC √ √ √ MBAC √ √ √ TBEIC ** Energy/Allied Product Businesses √ √ WRAP √ √ √ YWRC √ √ √ Youngstown, Department of Community Planning & Economic Development √ √ √
9 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Research & Development includes evaluating markets for details such as competition, potential customers, and market size. For emerging businesses it may include domestic and international trade market research and export consulting. For mature businesses it may also include supply chain management to most efficiently and cost-effectively use capital in the production process.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature
BIC √ √ √ √ MV PTAC √ MBAC √ √ √ Oak Hill Collaborative √ √ √ Ohio SBDC at YSU √ √ √ Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network at YSU √ √ TBEIC ** Energy/Allied Product Businesses √ √ √ √ Women in Entrepreneurship √ √ √ √ YWRC √ √ √ YBI *** Tech/Digital Businesses √ √ √ √
10 SALES & MARKETING
Sales & Marketing includes building a brand and developing a targeted marketing strategy. For more advanced businesses it may include information on new market expansion.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature
BIC √ √ √ √ Common Wealth, Inc. ** Food-Related Businesses √ √ √ MV PTAC √ MBAC √ √ √ Ohio SBDC at YSU √ √ √ SCORE Youngstown √ √ √ √ TBEIC ** Energy/Allied Product Businesses √ √ YBI ** Tech/Digital Businesses √
WORKFORCE
Workforce includes matching employer needs with hiring services and resources for skill development.
Organization Idea Startup Emerging Mature BIC √ √ √ MBAC √ √ √ YWRC √ √ √ 11 Business and Investment Center, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County (BIC)
A resource for information on business, finance, trade, demographics, and other data and technical assistance. The Center often provides workshops available through the library’s calendar.
Address Phone URL Email
305 Wick Ave., (330) 744-8636 http://www.libraryvisit.org/research/ [email protected] Youngstown, OH 44503 business-resources/
Business Resource Network (BRN)
The Business Resource Network (BRN) is a collaboration of workforce and economic development organizations, universities, career and technical centers, chambers of commerce, along with state and local government agencies that provides a full range of targeted business services and programs in a comprehensive unique way.
Address Phone URL Email
141 Boardman-Canfield Road, (330) 965-1785 http://www.thebrn.net/ cbresnahan@onestopohio. Boardman, OH 44512 org
Common Wealth, Inc. & Common Wealth Kitchen Incubator
Common Wealth, Inc. & Common Wealth Kitchen Incubator host a shared-use commercial kitchen that aims to lower the cost for starting or expanding local food businesses.
Address Phone URL Email
1221 Elm St. (330) 746-9811 http://www.cwkitchenincuba- [email protected] Youngstown, OH 44505 tor.org/
Economic and Community Development Institute
ECDI is a Small Business Administration (SBA) intermediary micro-lender and community development financial institution (CDFI) with the mission of investing in people to create measurable and enduring social and economic change. ECDI assists the Mahoning Valley through its Akron office.
12 Address Phone URL Email Akron Global Business Accelerator (330) 888-3119 https://www.ecdi.org/ [email protected] 526 S. Main St. Akron 44311
The Legal Creative
The Legal Creative provides pro bono legal clinics where artists and arts organizations may schedule one-on-one consultations with volunteer attorneys.
Address Phone URL Email
P.O. Box 132 http://www.legalcreative.org [email protected] Canfield, OH 44406
Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation (MVEDC)
MVEDC provides a wide array of financing loan programs, as well as services and resource to encourage location, retention and expansion of businesses. MVEDC aso owns land and buildings for businesses to rent/purchase in addition to affordable railroad service.
Address Phone URL Email
4319 Belmont Ave. (330) 759-3668 http://www.mvedc.com/ [email protected] Youngstown, OH
Mahoning Valley Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MV PTAC)
MV PTAC offers assistance to small established businesses interested in selling their products and services to Federal, State and Local Governments. The MV PTAC helps business with certifications, registrations, target research, marketing, proposal preparation, contract compliance, business training, and more.
Address Phone URL Email
4319 Belmont Ave. (330) 759-3668 ext. 124 http://www.mvptac.mvedc. [email protected] Youngstown, OH (330) 259-5166 (C) com/
13 Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) at the Greater Warren Youngstown Urban League
MBAC supports the growth and sustainability of minority- owned and disadvantaged businesses that are at least one year in existence through technical assistance, access to capital, and networking.
** Youngstown-Based Minority-Owned Businesses should contact Jonathan Bentley, Counselor/Advisor and Executive Director of the City of Youngstown Human Relations Commission at 25 E. Boardman St. Suite 527, (330) 259-9063, [email protected]
Address Phone URL Email
290 W. Market Street, (330) 394-4316 Like on Facebook [email protected] Warren, OH 44481
Northeast Ohio Development and Finance Authority (NEODFA)
A resource for assisting large-scale projects in planning and financing.
Address Phone URL Email
240 North Champion Street, (234) 228-9696 http://neodfa.org/ [email protected] Youngstown, OH 44503
Oak Hill Collaborative
The Oak Hill Collaborative hosts workshops and events for entrepreneurs and has office and makerspace.
Address Phone URL Email
507 Oak Hill Ave., (330) 518-5884 http://oakhillcollaborative. contact form on website Youngstown, OH 44408 org/
14 Ohio Small Business Develoment Center (SBDC) at YSU
The SBDC at YSU consults with existing and start-up companies to determine the viability of their business project, including market and financial analysis.
Address Phone URL Email One University Plaza Youngstown, OH 44555 (330) 941-2140 www.ysu.edu/sbdc [email protected] (Williamson College)
Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Export Assistance Network at YSU
A resource that provides international market and technical services to existing and new to exporting companies.
Address Phone URL Email One University Plaza Youngstown, OH 44555 (330) 941-2145 www.ysu.edu/sbdc [email protected] (Williamson College)
SCORE Youngstown
SCORE provides confidential counseling to existing small businesses and new entrepreneurs. SCORE is the go-to source for one-on-one mentoring. Additionally, SCORE hosts workshops and events on common business topics.
Address Phone URL Email One University Plaza Youngstown, OH 44555 (330) 941-2948 https://youngstown.score. [email protected] (Williamson College) org/
SEED Legal Clinic
SEED provides free legal services to small businesses in Northeastern Ohio. SEED is often hosted locally by YBI.
Address Phone URL Email
150 University Ave., (330) 972-2358 Akron, OH 44308
15 Tech Belt Energy Innovation Center (TBEIC)
TBEIC is a federally-funded business incubator aimed at growing energy technologies and allied products/services such as advanced materials, electronics, and control systems.
Address Phone URL Email
125 West Market St. (330) 207-2635 http://www.tbeic.org [email protected] Warren, OH 44481
Warren Redevelopment and Planning Corporation (WRAP)
WRAP hosts a hybrid business incubator and provides technical assistance and loans.
Address Phone URL Email warren.org & 418 Main Ave SW Ste. 205 (330) 841-2566 http://www.warrenbusiness- [email protected] Warren, OH 44481 exchange.com/
Women in Entrepreneurship (WE)
WE is a networking program for women that hosts events and workshops.
Address Phone URL Email
241 W. Federal St. (330) 884-6053 http://ybi.org/contact-us/we/ [email protected] Youngstown, OH 44503
Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber (YWRC)
The YWRC is a private, non-profit organization that provides economic development services and information to support the retenion and expansion of local companies and the attraction of new investment to the Mahoning Valley. Such services include site selection, customized research and business expertise. The Regional Chamber is designated as the local point of contact for state assistance.
Address Phone URL Email 11 Central Square, Suite 1600, Youngstown, OH 44503 (330) 744-2131 http://regionalchamber.com/ contact form on website
16 Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI)
YBI serves software and additive manufacturing companies with a suite of services including technical assistance and office space.
Address Phone URL Email
241 W. Federal St. (330) 746-5003 http://ybi.org/ [email protected] Youngstown, OH 44503
Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC)
YNDC offers small business classes, one-on-one technical assistance, resource referral, and personal financial counseling to entrepreneurs starting their businesses in the Mahoning Valley.
Address Phone URL Email 820 Canfield Road, Youngstown, OH 44511 (330) 480-0423 http://www.yndc.org/ [email protected]
Youngstown, Department of Community Planning & Economic Development
The City of Youngstown has a variety of economic development tools to assist current and new businesses including the Youngstown Initiative, facade grants, interim float loans, and tax abatements.
** For Minority-Owned Businesses, please see MBAC
Address Phone URL Email
20 Federal St. #8, (330) 744-1708 http://www.city- tswood@YoungstownOhio. Youngstown, OH 44503 ofyoungstownoh.org/ gov
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