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Grow Your Business with the ChamberTaking Care of Business Forum - Monthly
Networking and education for small businesses, from 11:30 a.m-1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month; except April, August and December when it is 5:30-7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month. Find the topic online at carolinachamber.org/events. Contact Vanessa Watson.
Find a Chamber Member Business Coach
We have Chamber members that specialize in one-on-one coaching and can work with you to help you grow your business. Check out our Coaching and Consulting category in our business directory.
Our Space
Use these resources to find available space for your relocating or expanding enterprise.
Technical Support
SCORE
The mentors of SCORE Chapel Hill Durham are experienced business owners and managers who volunteer their experience and knowledge to help small business owners and potential small business owners achieve success. In 2014, the Chapel Hill chapter was recognized as the #1 chapter in the country. Additionally, any SCORE client is welcome to attend the Chamber’s Taking Care of Business forum.
Orange County Economic Development
In addition to their many other services, the Orange County Economic Development office now offers two small business grant programs to "stimulate both agricultural related ventures, and non-farm small business development and expansion throughout the county." The goal is to increase high-quality job opportunities for local residents. Learn more about the grant program to see if you qualify.
Launch
Launch is a cooperative effort between UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, Orange County, the Downtown Partnership, and private support. Launch Chapel Hill is an international award-winning startup accelerator located in downtown Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Twice a year, they accept applications to their accelerator program from entrepreneurs who are committed to building their early stage businesses into self-sustaining enterprises.
Piedmont Food & Agricultural Processing Center (PFAP)
The Piedmont Food & Agricultural Processing Center (PFAP) is a joint project of Alamance, Chatham, Durham, and Orange Counties, located in Hillsborough. PFAP’s mission is simple: to create a strong base to help launch and grow new food-businesses in the Piedmont.
Durham Tech Small Business Center
The Small Business Center Network (SBCN), comprised of 58 Small Business Centers located at community colleges throughout North Carolina, supports the development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses as a community-based provider of business training, counseling, and resource information. As part of the Small Business Center Network, the Small Business Center (SBC) at Durham Tech provides business owners with the information they need for success, including - but not limited to - advice on marketing, sales, bookkeeping, and financial management. The SBC offers the following services at little or no cost:
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Training and technical assistance in starting a business
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Business skills seminars, workshops, and courses
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Confidential counseling to help develop a business plan or address business needs
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Resource and referral services
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A resource center with small business publications and literature
The Small Business Center is located in the SOUTHBank Building in Durham located at 400 West Main Street on the third floor. Office hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Please call (919) 536-7241 for more information.
Small Business Loan Funding
Your local commercial bank
We have a great group of member commercial banks willing to talk to you about your options. Check out our Commercial Lenders category in our business directory.
Orange County Economic Development Grant Program
Orange County has two small business grant programs to stimulate both agricultural related ventures, and non-farm small business development and expansion throughout the County. Find out more at Orange County Economic Development.
Orange County Small Business Loan Fund
If you’re a business located within Orange County and have revenues of less than $3M per year, you may qualify for loan program offered through the county, which is targeted toward businesses that have limited access to conventional financing. Find out more at Orange County Economic Development.
Town of Carrboro Revolving Loan Fund
In 1986, the Town of Carrboro established a revolving loan fund to support new and existing business in the creation or retention of jobs targeted specifically to low and moderate income persons. If your business or nonprofit is in the Town of Carrboro, you may qualify for their loan program. Find out more at the Town of Carrboro's department of community and economic development.
504 Loan Program at Self Help
The 504 loan program provides approved small businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing used to acquire fixed assets for expansion or modernization. 504 loans are typically structured with SBA providing 40% of the total project costs, a participating lender covering up to 50% of the total project costs, and the borrower contributing 10% of the project costs. Check out this presentation for more information.
