City of Monroe, LA

"In business, there are no guarantees. There is simply no way to eliminate all the risks associated with starting a small business. However, you can improve your chances of success with good planning, preparation, and insight." 

As the Small Business Administration's largest non-finance program, the University of Louisiana at Monroe Small Business Development Center (ULM SDBC) meets the needs of small businesses and promotes economic development in the Monroe area by helping to create and retain jobs. Partially funded by a cooperative agreement with SBA, the Louisiana SBA District Office meets the counseling and training needs of more than 650,000 start-ups or existing business clients annually.

The ULM SDBC provides services such as development of business plans, manufacturing assistance, financial packaging assistance, contracting assistance and international trade assistance. Special emphasis areas include e-commerce, technology transfer, IRS, EPA and OSHA regulatory compliance, research and development, Defense Economic Transition Assistance, disaster recovery assistance and market research. Based on client needs, the ULM SDBC tailors their services to meet the evolving needs of the local small business community.

The University of Louisiana at Monroe Small Business Development Center delivers management and technical assistance to prospective and existing small businesses using an effective business education network of 63 lead centers and more than 1,000 service center locations contracted to manage a broad-based program.

There are specialized programs for small businesses owned by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged, women, veterans, Reservists, people with disabilities and persons in low- and moderate-income urban and rural areas.