Virginia Small Business Guide

Green Business Resources in Virginia

Learn how to lower energy costs and protect the environment.

• Energy Resource Guide
• Financial Incentives for Renewables and Energy Efficiency
• Small Business Assitance Program Service
• Green City: Charlottesville

Starting a Business

If you are thinking of starting a small business, or already own a small business, several free counseling and training programs are available to help you get started and expand your operations. Services cover all aspects of starting and running a business, from getting loans and financing for starting or expanding to developing business plans and marketing strategies.

• Virginia Small Business Development Centers
  Provides free start-up advice, training and counseling services to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the state. Supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - Virginia District Office
  Offers business development counseling and training programs and information on SBA loan programs.

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives Association) is a nonprofit organization and SBA resource partner dedicated to helping small business growth through free mentoring and business counseling and low-cost workshops. Contact your local SCORE for small business development programs in your area:

• Free Union - Central Virginia SCORE
• Hampton - Peninsula SCORE
• Lynchburg - Greater Lynchburg SCORE
• Martinsville - Martinsville SCORE
• Norfolk - Hampton Roads SCORE
• Richmond - Richmond SCORE
• Waynesboro - Shenandoah Valley SCORE

There are also a number of local small business centers sponsored or partially funded by SBA that help women with start-up counseling and financial assistance:

• New Visions, New Ventures, Inc.
  Providing women with the knowledge, skills, resources and confidence necessary to achieve economic success and financial security through entrepreneurship, high-wage employment and asset building.
• Women's Business Center of Northern Virginia
  A program of the Community Business Partnership that provides the training, assistance and support women need to start and grow successful small businesses in Northern Virginia.

Doing Business in Virginia

From getting a business license to filing your taxes, the following sites provides resources you need to start and manage a business in Virginia.

• Virginia Business Portal
  Resources you need to start and operate a business in Virginia, file your business taxes, get a business license and much more.