Nevada State Small Business Services and Resources

How to tap a wealth of helpful state and regional-level solutions
By Daniel Kehrer, Founder & CEO, BizBest Media Corp. If you are looking to start or expand a business in Nevada or just need help solving a problem specific to this state or region, there's a wide range of resources — both government and private — available to help.

While many nationally focused resources offer helpful solutions, some issues are better addressed at the state or local level. Answers to licensing, zoning, sales tax, incorporation, economic development issues and a mountain of other matters often reside at the state level. Ironically, however, finding the right resources closer to home can often be even more difficult, as local solutions often live in many different places.

Cover your bases by seeking solutions in these locations:

1. State government agencies, such as the commerce department, economic development office, secretary of state's office or other business-related state agencies.
2. Small business assistance programs offered through local universities and community colleges that are backed by state and federal resources. These include Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and SCORE offices.
3. Private, non-profit and special-interest industry and business organizations that provide a range of services, networking opportunities and even funding options for small businesses.
4. State and local offices of federal agency programs, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) office in your area.

Get free help at the Nevada Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)

Need help to start or grow a business in Nevada? The Nevada Small Business Development Center provides free statewide counseling, training and assistance programs for the aspiring and existing small business owner.
Try:  Nevada SBDC can set you up with free and confidential counseling from experienced pros, help you access business research, acquire training, find financing, obtain detailed demographics on Nevada businesses and consumer and discover a network of business contacts in Nevada.

SCORE more free help for your biz

SCORE, "Counselors to America's small business" is a terrific national organization that provides free mentoring for small business owners.
Try:  These are SCORE Nevada offices: Las Vegas - Southern Nevada SCORE; Reno - Northern Nevada SCORE

Access state government info on starting and growing a business in Nevada

The central resource is the Nevada Dept. of Business & Industry.
Try:  Nevada DBI will funnel you to the right places for what you need, including these: UNR Center for Economic Development (Research and technical help), Management Assistance Partnership (MAP) (Business and technical assistance), Community Business Resource Center (CBRC) (Connect to all of Nevada's free business assistance resources), Nevada Secretary of State's Office, (New and existing corporations, LLCs and other business entities), Nevada Commission on Economic Development (Incentive programs for businesses relocating to Nevada), Office of Business Finance and Planning (Financing for small manufacturers and certain non-profit and solid waste disposal projects), Division of Industrial Relations, (Workers' Comp and safety), Nevada Labor Commissioner (Labor and wage laws and rates), Nevada Department of Taxation (Business taxes)

Connect to a Nevada small business resource portal

Discover hundreds of local programs offering free and low-cost help for starting and growing your business.
Try:  The Business Utility Zone Gateway for Nevada can connect you with a wide range of people, tools and resources.

Snag state-level help from the SBA

District, state and regional offices of the U.S. Small Business Administration can put a more focused face on federal programs and resources, and plug you into local training and assistance solutions.
Try:  Just plug in a Zip Code, select a specific city from the pull-down menu or check your state on the U.S. map in the middle of the SBA home page.

• Many types of businesses require state, city or county licenses and permits. State offices listed above will spell out any specific requirements for your industry.
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are an often-overlooked but terrific place to obtain free or low-cost advice and information, including training seminars and technology resources that are nearby.
• Locally-based SBDC consultants can advise you individually on how to write a business plan, market your products and services, find financial resources and other valuable information.
• The regional SBA office can plug you into loan and assistance programs, seminars and other initiatives to aid small businesses.
• Linking up with a local SCORE counselor is a great way to learn from an experienced individual about state-specific solutions.