For RI businesses experiencing trouble:
1) Lay-offs vs. WorkShare: Call the Dept. of Labor & Training to see if your company is eligible. This program allows you to reduce the hours instead of laying employees off completely. According to DLT, “The workers do not lose their jobs, retain their fringe benefits and may be eligible to receive combined wages and WorkShare benefits equal to about 92% of their regular pay. The employer retains trained workers and has the ability to respond quickly when business increases.”
2) Rapid Response Services: Dept. Labor & Training. A team from DLT will come out to speak with you and your employees regarding unemployment, benefits, counseling, state and federal programs available in case of layoffs or closures.
3) SCORE: Retired executives, entrepreneurs and business people with vast skills and free counseling hours available to assist businesses.
4) SBA Office of the National Ombudsman. To file a comment or complaint regarding any FEDERAL agency you are having a problem with. Filing online very easy.
For growth and sustainability:
1) Dept. of Labor & Training, Business Workforce Center. Tax credits, grants, labor market information, job postings, job descriptions, skill standards, etc.
2) The RI Business Plan Competition: Open to any entrepreneur. Winner receives up to $ plus additional technical assistance. Workshops available to help you develop your business plan.
3) SCORE: . Retired executives, entrepreneurs and business people with vast skills and free counseling hours available to assist businesses. Tel: 401-528-4561.
4) CWE: Center for Women & Enterprise, located in Providence, Worcester and Boston helps women entrepreneurs with loan packaging, start up or growth, financial management, business planning and visioning. They have consulting services with fees and many workshops and networking events. For more information call 401-277-0800 or visit .
5) Providence Public Library’s phenomenal business reference section and find incredible books, reports and databases with everything you need. The librarians are great and will help you with your research. You can also access some of the databases from home.
6) The New York Times Small Business Section has a plethora of articles and helpful information for entrepreneurs.
sdcgrowthresources.com 