Business Assistance Programs in Virginia
- Virginia.gov - the Official Web Site of the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Business Section of Virginia.gov
- Agriculture and Consumer Services, VA Department of - promotes the economic growth and development of Virginia agriculture, encourage environmental stewardship and promote consumer protection
- Business Assistance, Virginia Department of (DBA) - the economic development agency dedicated to the growth and success of the Commonwealth’s business community
- Virginia Small Business Development Center Network (VSBDC Network) - provides professional business counseling, training and information resources to help grow and strengthen Virginia businesses
- Office of Economic Development at Virginia Tech - can help you put the vast knowledge resources of the university to work for your business, community, organization, or government agency
- Center for Innovative Technology (CIT), Virginia's - has a vast network of technical assistance programs in place to help you build and grow your technology based business. Their assistance covers most aspects of the technology lifestyle from concept to prototype to market
- Chamber of Commerce
- Community College System, Virginia - provides business and industrial training opportunities
- Economic Development Partnership, Virginia - gateway to economic development resources in Virginia.
- Labor and Industry, VA Department of (DOLI) -administers and enforces the occupational safety and health programs, payment of wage statute, right-to-work and child labor laws, fosters worker apprenticeship programs, and certifies the safe operation of commercial boilers and pressure vessels
- Manufacturing Technology Center, MTC, located at Wytheville Community College -dedicated to helping manufacturers in southwestern Virginia to become more competitive and profitable in today's world market.
- National Federation of Independent Business - advocacy organization representing small and independent businesses which was "created to give small and independent business a voice in governmental decision making"
- Taxation, Virginia Department of
- U.S. Small Business Administration: VA District Office home page
- Virginia Economic Development Center links from BusinessFinance.com.
- Virginia's Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership (VPMEP) - provides affordable, high quality, assistance for small and medium sized manufactures to increase productivity, lower costs, identify growth opportunities, improve technology application and strengthen your production team.
- For a directory of assistance providers type in "service providers" in the advanced search box to the top right of page.
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Federal Business Assistance Programs and Resources
- EPA Small Business Ombudsman Program
-serves the nation's small business community. The SBO facilitates communications between the small business community and EPA. The Office reviews and resolves disputes with EPA. The SBO works with EPA personnel to increase their understanding of small businesses in the development and enforcement of environmental regulations.
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Trade Associations
EPA's Small Business Environmental Home Page also maintains a list of Trade Association web sites.
Associations are listed alphabetically. Choose the letter with which the name begins or scroll through the listing.
A C E F I G M N S T
- The Aluminum Association
"the trade association for U.S. producers of primary aluminum, recyclers and semi-fabricated aluminum products"
- American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA)
A national association representing the manufacturers of commercial, industrial and utility steam generating and fuel burning equipment, as well as suppliers to the industry.
- American Chemical Society
- American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society, Inc. (AESF)
"an international society that advances the science of surface finishing to benefit industry and society through education, information and social involvement"
- American Forest and Paper Association (AF & PA)
"national trade association of the forest, paper, and wood products industry"
- American Foundrymen's Society, Inc. (AFS)
"...to provide and promote knowledge and services that strengthen the metalcasting industry for the ultimate benefit of its customers and society..."
- American Metalcasting Consortium (AMC)
"a coalition of six organizations from the metalcasting industry that have joined together to ally thousands of small-to-large U.S. Metalcasters to reestablish American manufacturing advantages in this strategic industrial arena"
- American Water Works Association (AWWA)
"an international nonprofit scientific and educational society dedicated to the improvement of drinking water quality and supply"
- American Wood Preservers Institute (AWPI)
"national industry trade association representing the pressure-treated wood industry throughout the United States"
- Asphalt Institute
"The Asphalt Institute is a U.S. based association of international petroleum asphalt producers, manufacturers, and affiliated businesses. The Asphalt Institute's mission is to promote the use, benefits, and quality performance of petroleum asphalt through engineering, research, and educational activities, and through the resolution of issues affecting the industry.
- Automotive Service Association (ASA)
"...the leading organization for owners and managers of automotive service businesses that strive to deliver excellence in service and repairs to consumers...advances the professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services..."
- Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI)
"a technical and professional organization that provides information and training on surface coating technologies"
- American Chemistry Council
"...serves as the focal point for the chemical industry's collective action on legislative, regulatory and legal matters at the international, national and state levels."
- Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA)
- Flexographic Technical Association (FTA)
"By fostering research, technical development, training and industry cohesion, FTA provides a free exchange of technical ideas, maintains standards of quality for flexographic printing and works cooperatively for the continual improvement of the flexographic printing process. "
- The Institute of Metal Finishing
- International Wood Products Association (IWPA)
IWPA is the only international trade association in the United States representing companies that handle imported wood products. IHPA advances responsible forest management and international trade in wood products through leadership in business, environmental and governmental affairs.
- National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA)
"NAPA's mission is to provide its Membership with the services that enable them to produce and place the highest quality paving materials in the most efficient manner and at the most economical cost, while maintaining high ethical standards and professional competence."
- National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD)
- National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
Largest advocacy organization representing small and independent businesses, was created to give small and independent business a voice in governmental decision making. NFIB membership provides products and services at discounted costs.
- National Glass Association
The largest trade association representing the flat glass industry that also lists products and services for the industry.
- National Metal Finishing Resource Center (NMFRC)
"The Resource Center is being designed to be the most substantial, comprehensive environmental compliance, technical assistance and pollution prevention information source available for metal finishers."
- National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA)
"the national representative of the custom precision manufacturing industry in the United States"
- NORA An Association of Responsible Recyclers (formerly National Oil Recyclers Association)
"To encourage and promote the proper recycling of used oil, oil filters, used antifreeze and other automotive and industrial materials through education and the development of legislation and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels which will protect human health and the environment."
- National Paint & Coatings Association (NPCA)
"A voluntary, nonprofit trade association, NPCA represents some 400 paint and coatings manufacturers, raw materials suppliers and distributors."
- North American Die Casting Association (NADCA)
"the only trade association in the USA which represents custom and captive die casters, suppliers to the die casting industry and international die casters"
- Society of Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI)
"...a trade association of nearly 2,000 members representing all segments of the plastics industry in the United States...plastics processors, raw material suppliers, machinery manufacturers, moldmakers and other industry-related groups and individuals."
- Society of Vacuum Coaters (SVC)
"The Society of Vacuum Coaters, a nonprofit professional, trade and educational organization, is dedicated to the development of equipment and processes for high-volume production of coatings using vacuum-based processes."
- Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association (SOCMA)
"trade association representing the legislative, regulatory and commercial interests of its more than 300 member companies from the chemical industry"
- Tech Solve - formally Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Sciences
TechSolve helps manufacturers increase profits by eliminating waste and increasing productivity on the factory floor and in the front office. Implementing Lean Manufacturing and Machining Solutions at your company and throughout your supply chain is our specialty. Additionally, we deliver training and provide access to a variety of business development services for small to mid-sized manufacturers.
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Training Resources
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Pollution Prevention & Waste Reduction Resources
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Environmental Management Systems / ISO 14000
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) - a tool for improving a business's environmental performance. Implementing this voluntary approach can help your business compete and succeed in today's global marketplace.
ISO 14000 - a series of voluntary international environmental management standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO 14000 focuses on environmental management systems, environmental auditing, environmental labeling, environmental performance evaluation, and life cycle assessment.
EMS & ISO 1400 Resources:
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Environmental and Innovative Technology:
- New and Emerging Environmental Technologies (NEET) Clean Air Technologies Database
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Internet Guides:
- Learn The Net, an Internet Guide and Tutorial
- Internet Tour on the Central Rappahannock Regional Library web site
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