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Alabama Small Business Consortium

The Alabama Small Business Development Consortium (ASBDC) hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham , provides managerial and technical consulting assistance and training at no cost to current and potential small businesspersons statewide. Ten Small Business Development Centers offer this service, the Alabama International Trade Center , and the Alabama Small Business Procurement System.

The Small Business Development Centers are a resource where information, counseling and assistance are coordinated and disseminated to those who plan to start a small business or are currently operation a small business. The centers also provide the entrepreneur with education and training opportunities that cover a wide range of business topics. Research, both basic and applied, is also available to give the small businessperson more relevant data from which to draw upon when making decisions.

For more Information Contact the SBDC nearest you. 

Small Business Development Centers

Mr. C. William Campbell, Jr.
ASBDC State Director
Alabama Small Business Development Consortium
2800 Milan Court, suite 124 Birmingham , AL 35211-6908
(205) 943-6750
(205) 943-6752 (Fax)

Ms. Kristy Doggette
Director, University of West Alabama
Small Business Development Center
Center Station 35
Livingston , AL 35470
(205) 652-3665
(205) 652-3516 (Fax)

Mr. Lorenzo Patrick
Director, Alabama State University
Small Business Development Center
915 South Jackson Street
Montgomery , AL 36195
(334) 229-4138
(334) 269-1102 (Fax)

Mr. Ernie Gauld
Director, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Small Business Development Center
901 South 15 th Street , Room 201
Birmingham , AL 35294-2060
(205) 934-6760
(205) 934-0538 (Fax)

Mr. Paavo Hanninen
Director, University of Alabama
Small Business Development Center
P.O. Box 870397
Tuscaloosa , AL 35487-0397
(205) 348-7011
(205) 348-9644 (Fax)

Pat Shaddix
Director, Jacksonville State University
Small Business Development Center
114 Merrill Hall, 700 Pelham Rd. North
Jacksonville , AL 36265-9982
(256) 782-5271
(256) 782-5179 (Fax)

Dr. Rick Lester
Director, University of North Alabama
Small Business Development Center, School of Business
Box 5248 Keller Hall
Florence , AL 35632-0001
(256) 760-4629
(256) 760-4813 (Fax)  

Dr. Jackie DiPofi
Director, Auburn University
Small Business Development Center
Room 108, College of Business
Auburn University , AL 36849-5243
(334) 844-4220
(334) 844-4268 (Fax) 

Mr. Thomas Tucker
Director, University of South Alabama
Small Business Development Center
Mitchell College of Business, Room 8
Mobile , AL 36688
(251) 460-6004
(251) 460-6246 (Fax)

Dr. Bill Killingsworth
Director, Northeast Alabama Regional SBDC
Alabama A&M University and University of Alabama Huntsville
225 Church Street, N.W.
Huntsville Al, 35804-0168
(256) 535-22061
(256) 535-2050 (Fax)

Sandra Lucas
Center Director, Troy University
Small Business Development Center
Bibb Graves, Room 102
Troy , AL 36082-0001
(334) 670-3771
(334) 670-3636 (Fax)

Brian Davis
Center Director, Alabama International Trade Center
University of Alabama Small Business Development Center
Bidgood Hall, Room 201
Tuscaloosa , AL 35487-0396
(205) 348-7621
(205) 348-6974 (Fax)

Alabama Small Business Procurement System

The Alabama Small Business Procurement System (ASBPS) assists small businesses in Alabama by:

Authorized and funded by a 1984 act of the Alabama Legislature, the Alabama Small Business Procurement System's bid delivery service operates through the existing Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network consisting of eleven state universities. The procurement system's central office is located in Birmingham , at the state office of the Alabama Small Business Development Consortium. Any business in the state can request the free bid delivery service.

SBDC personnel work with a business to develop precise codes and key words that identify the company's products or services and then enter them into the center's procurement computer. Bid information from the Commerce Business Daily , Alabama military installations, as well as state and local agencies are entered into Birmingham 's host computer on a daily basis, and transmitted through the microcomputer network. The SBDC matches a business's specific capabilities with bid opportunities and will fax or mail a notice so that the business can call the appropriate contracting bid agency for a bid package.

Through cooperative agreements with the Department of Defense and the state of Alabama , the SBDC assists firms and counsels them on how to do business with the Government. Areas of Counseling include bid package preparation, 8(a) and other minority programs, military packaging, pricing, bonding, and quality assurance.

Training seminars, held throughout the state, teach business people about the government market and the bidding process. Larger procurement conferences provide small businesses the opportunity to network with government agencies and prime contractors.

For more information about the bid-matching service, training seminars and conferences, or procurement counseling, please contact the Small Business Development Center nearest you.

 

Alabama International Trade Center

The Alabama International Trade Center (AITC) is dedicated to the development of international trade activity in the state of Alabama . The different services offered through the AITC include foreign market research, implementation recommendations, strategic planning and consulting, training seminars and general information.

Foreign Market Research

With more and more firms looking into the lucrative foreign market, accurate, up-to-date information is essential. The AITC is constantly engaged in analyzing and assessing foreign market opportunities. With the support of an excellent information base and a staff of market research specialists, AITC continually monitors foreign market data regarding:

Strategic Planning & Consulting

The AITC also provides individual consulting, strategic planning and advisory services. Consultants work exclusively with company executives to assess their needs and problems. Recommendations are made and in-depth assistance is given to firms based on the findings of the market research and in light of each company's needs. The AITC can help you:

Implementation

Not only does the AITC help to inform and make recommendations, it also assists in the implementation of tailored international business plans. Channels of communication are always open and client companies are monitored on an ongoing basis to assure continued success of international activities.

Training and Seminars

The AITC conducts more than a dozen workshops and seminars every year to train executives who are active or interested in international trade. These seminars utilize the experience of members of the international community and knowledge of experts in various fields to help clients understand everything from the basics of exporting to the specifics of exporting products.

Information and Publications

AITC serves as a central office for the answering or referral of inquires relating to international business. Sending a letter or placing a phone call to AITC can save you valuable time and effort as the trade center can provide up-to-date information quickly. In addition, AITC publishes a variety of manuals and bulletins designed to educate and aid Alabama firms in international business as well as to inform potential foreign customers about Alabama products. For more information Please contact:

Alabama International Trade Center
University of Alabama
Box 870396
Tuscaloosa , AL 35487-0396
(205) 348-7621

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