Small Business Development Center

Already Own a Business?

Many resources are available to existing business owners. Resources such as the Procurement Technical Assistance Center, the SIUE International Trade Center, SouthernTech and the SIUE Entrepreneur Center can provide tools to leverage your small business.

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

The SBA administers two particular business assistance programs for small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs). These programs are the 8(a) Business Development Program and the Small Disadvantaged Business Certification Program. While the 8(a) Program offers a broad scope of assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged firms, SDB certification strictly pertains to benefits in federal procurement. 8(a) firms automatically qualify for SDB certification.

What exactly is a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)? The U.S. SBA reports the eligibility to be considered as an SDB.

A small business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual or individuals. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian Americans, and Native Americans are presumed to quality.

All individuals must have a net worth of less than $750,000, excluding the equity of the business and primary residence.

Selling to the State of Illinois

If you have a product or service that you would like to sell to the State of Illinois you can visit Central Management Services web site to get instructions on how to become a vendor.

If your business deals with transportation or road construction and development you can solicit your services to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Visit IDOT’s web site to get information on how to become registered with IDOT.

HubZone

SBA HubZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) program stimulates economic development in urban and rural areas. HubZone areas are determined by qualified census tracts. To search if your business in located in a HubZone.

Additional Resources

• Loan Programs
• • SBA & DCEO-Federal State and Regional Loan Matrix. The loan matrix compares business loan programs offered in the state of Illinois.
  • Enterprise Zone Financing This is similar to the Participation Loan Program, except that DCEO will provide favorable interest rates to businesses either locating in or expanding in one of the 93 certified enterprise zones located throughout the state. T he purpose of this program is to stimulate economic growth and neighborhood revitalization at the local level, which is accomplished through state and local tax incentives, regulatory relief, and improved government services.
• Surety Bonding
• • DCEO's Bonding Program
  • • Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,
      Business Finance Division,
      620 East Adams,
      Springfield, IL 6270,
      217/524-0165
      TDD: 800/785-6055
  • SBA's Bonding Program
  • • Acting Supervisory Surety Bond Specialist Daniel Sossaman
      900 Market Street,
      5th Floor Philadelphia,
      PA 19107
      Phone: 215/580-2727
      FAX: 215/580-2759