Entrepreneurial Resources

Southern Appalachian Fund

The Southern Appalachian Fund is a $12.5 million venture capital fund formed to provide equity capital and operational assistance to qualifying businesses in southern Appalachia. The Fund invests in small companies located in low-income census tracts in Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Appalachian counties of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. Read more at Southern Appalachian Fund.

Meritus Ventures

Meritus Ventures LP is a $36.4 million venture capital fund that makes equity investments in private, expansion-stage companies in predominantly rural areas of central and southern Appalachia. It targets small businesses in Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas and may consider investments in rural areas outside central and southern Appalachia. Meritus also provides operational assistance to its portfolio companies. Read more at Meritus Ventures.

Energy Information Library

An electronic encyclopedia of technical information covering all aspects of energy use for commercial operations. Technology, energy use information, case studies, fact sheets, and vendor and manufacturer information.

General Business Resources

The following online resources provide valuable information on starting a business.

U.S. Business Advisor
Answers to commonly asked questions, step-by-step guides, grants, and legal and regulatory information.

Entrepreneur.com
Tips and trends on all aspects of business start-up and growth.

IRS: Virtual Small Business Workshop
A series of videos on topics by IRS instructors, including payroll taxes, electronic filing, and record-keeping.

Nolo: Law for All
Information on small-business legal structures, business taxes, protecting intellectual property, and other legal issues.

Also see Best Sites for Entrepreneurs, a list of sites with a regional, national, or global focus on developing entrepreneurship.

State Resources

Alabama
Starting a Business

Georgia
Operating a Business

First Stop Business Guide (PDF)

Kentucky
Start a Business
Kentucky Business Guide (PDF)

Mississippi
Entrepreneur's Tool Kit PDF)

North Carolina
A Better Place to Do Business

Tennessee
Small Business Technical Assistance Guide

Virginia
Starting a Business