EconomicDevelopmentCouncil.com
21st Century Economic Development
Education - Issues - Strategies - Solutions
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OUR RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO YOU
When we recognize that we have a vast store of often
untapped resources available to us, as well as all around us,
it can certainly help us feel more happy, confident, secure
and able to allow us to take action in our lives. We all too
easily sometimes fall into the trap of believing that we
have nothing to offer anyone in our lives.
This can lead many of us to sometimes be
indecisive and put things off. Many of us
procrastinate, until it's too late. One of our
greatest fears (or greatest motivators!) can be
imagining lying on our beds thinking 'if only.…'
Many of us know our inner and outer resources can give us greater stature and confidence to plan out ahead and take decisive action. Setting new and interesting goals for ourselves is vital to our happiness.
Inner and Outer Resources
One powerful source of our inner resources we
often overlook is our values. These are ways of
being that are important to us as we take action
in the real world. We may value integrity,
health, and efficiency for example.
What are your top 5 values? Once you know them
they can help you achieve your life goals. If,
for example, you value self discipline you can remind
yourself of this when you find yourself putting things off
or not doing what you said you were going to do.
Equally, you might have many external resources that you can call on. There are many people who have experience that would and can help you, people who might mentor or coach you if you asked them.
What challenging tasks are you facing today? And what
external resources do you have available to call upon?
The Value of Courage
One of the important inner resources is courage - literally 'heart rage' - an inner power to take action aligned with every fiber of our being.
And, surprisingly, it is usually those actions that are for the benefit of others that bring forward our courage. Some of us seem to be more prepared to take risks to save others than we are to save our own lives.
Can you access your own courage to make difficult decisions
or take challenging actions to improve or help yourself
to succeed beyond your wildest dreams?
Creating New and Interesting Goals
Many of the resources we have here on our
website are important because they can help
you in creating and achieving new and interesting
goals as well as the simple strategies to put them
into action. Having new and interesting goals
can definitely keep many of us growing and
feeling much more alive, happy and content.
Many of us are naturally social animals with caring
and compassion as well. So it is good for our happiness
to be using many of the resources available to us and to
be learning to take the right action, not just for
ourselves, but for the benefit of others.
What new and interesting goals can you set for yourself that will keep you growing and happy? What inner and outer resources will you draw on to take these goals through to successful completion?
We hope you will consider us and our website as
one of those valuable resources. We have made
every effort and spent countless hours to
make available in one place some of the most
diverse websites with hundreds of links and resources.
We have done this so you do not have to spend hours on
the internet trying to find them yourselves.
We hope you will save us as one of your favorites
and come back often as we continuously update this
website with some of the most dynamic and useful linking resources for all of your economic development research.
We would also love to hear from you
with any comments or suggestions or
concerns you may have on how we
may improve our site to help you in
all your research and needs.
Thank You for stopping by and we
hope you come back often!
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPEMENT RESOURCES
Free Resources for Small Businesses
to Leverage Year-Round
Many organizations provide support and online tools for small business owners and employees. Take advantage of these free resources during Small Business Month and throughout the year.
From operations and logistics to employee and customer management, small business owners wear many hats to keep things running smoothly. Without experience, acting in this role can be challenging at the least—and a fast track to failure at the worst.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of resources available to support you through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship whether you’re just starting out, trying to stay on track, or want to take your business to new heights. Here are some of the best tools and resources you can use to support your small business year-round.
Amazon
Amazon’s Small Business Academy provides a wealth of free resources, ideal for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs. These resources include live events, podcasts, and on-demand classes, along with access to a network of like-minded business professionals. Additionally, they offer practical guides for starting and growing a successful business, and specific resources catered to those interested in selling their wares on Amazon’s store.
Amazon’s Founders Table event series, in particular, is an excellent resource for those just starting on their entrepreneurial journey. Small business experts and successful entrepreneurs share insights on industry trends and practical growth strategies during each event.
America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) is a nationwide network that supports small business growth. The network has nearly 1,000 local hubs sponsored by top educational institutions, state economic development agencies, and private partners. America’s SBDC provides free consulting and affordable training to new and established businesses.
The nonprofit’s website provides ample resources like infographics, checklists, and templates. America’s SBDC even hosts annual conferences, virtual summits, and other educational events that cater to small businesses at no cost. Notably, its 46th annual paid professional development event, America's SBDC 2025 Annual Conference, is scheduled for September 2–5, 2025.
With Bank of America’s Center for Business Empowerment, entrepreneurs at any stage can get the support they need to start, grow, or even sell their business. From SMB-focused educational guides to financing support and data security management, the center can help entrepreneurs take control of their business and take it to the next level—whatever that step may be.
To get a personalized experience with the Center’s free knowledge hub, answer a few simple questions about your business, including its current stage, your industry, your revenue, and the topics most relevant to your business needs. From there, you can access a collection of tailored resources ranging from quick-read articles to lengthy guides and informational videos.
Google
A Google Business Profile, formerly Google My Business, can drive customers to your brick-and-mortar storefront and online platform. It also offers many free tools for entrepreneurs and small teams, including Google Workspace and Google Drive. The Google for Small Business page provides an abundance of information for small business owners, helping you navigate SEO, advertising, and marketing.
For even more in-depth information, the Applied Digital Skills platform provides free-to-access lessons to help start or grow your business. There, you can explore courses ranging from short, single-objective lessons to expansive, multi-unit projects to help you research your market, develop a business plan, and prepare to request funding. Also, check out the Grow with Google small business showcase on YouTube, which offers more than 250 videos covering topics like project management and data analytics.
Note: Applied Digital Skills Lessons will be moving to a new platform effective June 30, 2025. While it will still be free to use, account data will not be automatically migrated—users who wish to retain their data will need to do so manually.
HubSpot
HubSpot is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) tool offering free and paid courses. It also provides the HubSpot Academy for ongoing education geared toward your entire team, including leaders, department supervisors, and employees. There are dozens of programs, including free online courses and longer certification sessions, and you can display earned badges on websites and company bios.
Also, check out HubSpot’s Website Grader, which grades your site based on performance, search engine optimization (SEO), mobile functionality, and security. To get started, simply enter your company’s website and email address in the grader and click “get your score.” HubSpot will inspect and test your website to rate its functionality, then provide a list of recommendations for site improvements.
HR.com
Manage human resources effectively with a free membership and resources from HR.com. It has e-learning lessons, webcasts, and virtual events. You can learn about upcoming changes to regulations and help your HR employees achieve Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certifications, among others.
The IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center is a comprehensive resource designed to assist small businesses and self-employed individuals with their tax needs. It caters to those filing Form 2106, Form 1040 or 1040-SR, or Schedules C, E, or F, and small businesses with less than $10 million in assets.
Small business owners can access a range of free tools and information, including forms, instructions, and tips, to help ensure businesses comply with tax laws. The resource provides insight into starting, operating, and closing a business, as well as how to handle employment taxes and common expenses and deductions.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional-focused social media platform used by entrepreneurs globally. You can showcase your company and build relationships with business customers and future employees. It’s also a key spot to highlight your expertise as an entrepreneur in your personal profile. Get started with the LinkedIn Pages Action Plan for Small Businesses. It’s a five-page guide to completing your page, growing your follower count, and posting the right content.
But don’t stop there! LinkedIn has a resource center packed with content for business owners. It offers reports, checklists and guides, and certification programs covering everything from employee development to important metrics for success. We recommend How to Use LinkedIn Learning for existing businesses, as it offers guidance through the expansive library of over 20,000 courses about branding, lead generation, and hiring.
Robert Half Salary Guide
Robert Half's free 2025 Salary Guide offers comprehensive insights into starting salaries, hiring trends, and in-demand skills across various industries, including finance, technology, marketing, and administrative support. The guide is based on data from surveys of small, midsize, and large businesses across the U.S., providing benchmarks to help small businesses structure competitive compensation packages and job offers.
Whether you’re planning your next hire or budgeting for the year ahead, this guide can help you make informed decisions about not just pay but also perks and benefits—critical factors in attracting and retaining talent. It's also useful for understanding remote work trends, benefits expectations, and regional salary variances, allowing small businesses to stay agile and appealing in a fast-changing workforce landscape.
Mastercard Digital Doors
From setting up your online business to accepting payments to enhancing cybersecurity, Mastercard helps digital small businesses every step of the way with its Digital Doors program. Implemented to support small businesses of all sizes and stages, the Digital Doors program provides access to ample financial and educational tools to help establish, sustain, and expand online businesses.
Digital Doors offers an expansive library of articles, videos, and tools compiled through partnerships with businesses like HootSuite, FedEx, and Accion Opportunity Fund. It also provides online businesses with exclusive discounts and small-business–focused offers, including savings on marketing and expense management platforms, analytic services, and more.
MIT Open Learning Library
Expand into a new industry and explore diverse courses through the MIT Open Learning Library. These self-paced lessons are free to download—no registration required. Most courses include interactive content and exercises, which provide immediate feedback. These sessions are a great free resource for businesses wanting to offer professional development options for employees.
National APEX Accelerator Alliance
Small businesses needing a jump start can get help from the National APEX Accelerator Alliance. Since 1985, the Accelerator network has helped small businesses connect with government contracts, offering more than 90 Accelerator programs across over 300 offices nationwide. In its time, the network has helped small businesses to win over $24 billion in contracts.
Local APEX Accelerators offer many free services to entrepreneurs, ranging from determining business readiness for government contracts to business certification assistance to contract and audit support. With this resource network, entrepreneurs can connect with the right leads and identify valuable contracting opportunities for which they may be eligible.
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE)
Networking groups for entrepreneurs can help you develop local and national connections. NASE represents companies with 10 employees or fewer. It has free resources for small business owners and offers many more tools for members, including unlimited access to consultants for tax, retirement, finance, and operations questions.
NASE also provides member-only scholarships and grants, including the NASE Growth Grant. The grant helps entrepreneurs pay for training programs, business courses, and other small business investments.
National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB)
As the “voice of small business,” the NFIB is an advocacy organization representing small and independent businesses across the United States. The nonprofit strives to protect the rights of small business owners to own, operate, and grow their businesses. The NFIB provides a business legal center, webinars, and referral services. Additionally, small business owners can benefit from the NFIB’s business insights and reporting, exclusive networking events, and educational content like its Small Business Rundown podcast.
The NFIB’s membership program is another resource where entrepreneurs can take advantage of increased access to resources, discounts on purchases made through NFIB partners, and a stronger voice in the program’s advocacy efforts.
National Retail Federation (NRF)
As the largest retail trade association in the world, the NRF advocates for the interests of the retail sector. The NRF provides education on best practices, cutting-edge research, and extensive networking opportunities. Notably, the NRF’s 2025 Annual Retail Sales Forecast, along with its holiday data and research on seasonal trends, provides valuable insights to small business owners, enabling them to plan and execute successful campaigns.
The organization also hosts virtual and in-person events across the country. The NRF Retail’s Big Show, in particular, is a large-scale, annual event that delivers expert insights into the retail industry and provides networking opportunities for participants.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
SCORE provides many great resources for small business owners, including webinars, interactive courses, business templates, and local workshops. SCORE partnered with Google and the International Downtown Association (IDA) to develop a free digital readiness series. Each module provides digital tools, webinars, and videos on how to grow your business with Google.
Another helpful resource from SCORE is The Startup Roadmap. It’s an excellent guide for individuals wanting to start a company. An entrepreneur can complete the step-by-step tutorial alone or with a mentor. It has 12 modules, which you can complete in any order. Each module offers actionable steps, free resources, and other online tools to complete the steps.
You can find SCORE events and workshops near you by entering your state or zip code and filtering the results according to business stage, topic, and format. SCORE also offers mentorship opportunities to any citizen or permanent resident who owns a business or wants to start one. The sessions can take place in person or virtually via email, phone, or video.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
As the world’s largest business organization, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce advocates for business-friendly policies, supports local chapters, and provides free resources for entrepreneurs. You’ll find many virtual events and informative guides on small business topics and can network within your community by joining a local branch.
Check out the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business page. It displays events, a Small Business Weekly Forecast, and current initiatives. Remember to register for CO—'s Small Business Day event featuring small business experts. It takes place on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Bookmark these links to stay informed with regularly updated content:
Local chapters: Get involved at the local level by finding a chamber of commerce in your area. There are thousands of local chapters in 57 states and territories offering community networking opportunities.
Chamber OnDemand: View videos, forums, and interviews with experts, business leaders, and government officials on the Chamber OnDemand platform. Browse by topic or series, such as technology, economy, and government policy.
CO— by U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Start your morning or end your day by expanding your small business knowledge on CO— by U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It delivers fact-based articles on best practices for how to start, grow, and run your company. Plus, you can get expert tips from industry leaders and small business owners.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Learn how to start, grow, or sell your business using the SBA’s free resources. The SBA offers informative content, interactive online tools, and a video library for entrepreneurs. These range from business planning solutions to mentoring services.
You can explore export assistance programs and financial resources. Both help grow businesses and enable entrepreneurs to strengthen their market position. Or learn how to qualify for government contracts, get funding for your company, and explore business certifications.
Check out these SBA tools and content:
Small Business Development Centers: Attend in-person events and get individualized assistance from small business centers near you. Enter your zip code to find your local SBDC.
Learning center courses: The SBA’s learning center video courses cover starting up to selling your business and everything in between. Most topics have several videos, with many around a minute long.
Boots to Business: If you’re a transitioning service member (including National Guard and Reserve) or a spouse with access to a military installation, check out the Boots to Business program. Alternatively, Reboot courses, which offer one- and two-day classes on business fundamentals, are available to veterans, National Guard, Reserve, and military spouses.
Empower to Grow: Formerly the 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance program, the Empower to Grow program helps small businesses serving low-income markets to bid and win government contracts. Available to eligible small businesses in the United States, the program hosts a library of resources and training opportunities, including funding matchmaking events and one-on-one training.
SBA THRIVE: If you have at least one employee besides yourself, have been in business for three years, and have annual revenues of at least $250,000, consider the SBA THRIVE program. This six-month, no-cost program offers promising small businesses advanced training, including mentorship and in-person coaching from C-level executives, along with customized micro-sessions targeting small businesses' unique needs.
Entrepreneurs will also be guided in creating a three-year strategic growth action plan for their business.
Verizon
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is a one-stop resource center for entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to access coaching, networking and funding opportunities, and educational content. The hub features more than 40 online courses packed with expert guidance on various topics crucial for small businesses at any stage of development. Additionally, it enables entrepreneurs to engage in personalized coaching sessions and workshops with industry experts, offering tailored support and professional insights.
To date, the program has been instrumental in supporting small businesses. The Small Business Digital Ready program has provided over $1 million in funding annually to entrepreneurs and hosted over 200 virtual and live events in its time.
Entrepreneurial Support Resources
Entrepreneurship support is a broad category of resources and services designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners start, grow, and sustain their ventures. This can include assistance with planning, funding, legal matters, and marketing. Many support organizations specialize in helping specific groups, such as women, veterans, or minority-owned businesses.
Government resources
The SBA is a federal agency that provides a wide range of free and low-cost services for entrepreneurs.
Funding programs: The SBA helps businesses secure loans by setting guidelines and reducing risk for lenders. It also provides investment capital and grants.
Resource partners: The SBA partners with several organizations to provide local services, including:
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) offer free, individualized consulting, training, and technical assistance.
SCORE is a network of experienced business mentors who provide free counseling, training, and webinars.
Women's Business Centers (WBCs) provide specialized services for women entrepreneurs.
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs) offer training and assistance specifically for veterans.
Learning Platform: The SBA offers online courses on topics such as market research and daily operations.
Specialized programs: The SBA offers programs for specific groups, including veterans (Boots to Business), women (Ascent for Women), and microenterprise organizations (PRIME).
Other government programs
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): A division of the Department of Commerce that promotes the growth of minority-owned businesses by connecting them with funding, contracts, and market information.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR): Programs that provide funding for small businesses focused on advancing science and technology.
Grants.gov: A centralized website for finding and applying for federal grants.
Private and non-profit organizations
National organizations
SCORE: The largest network of free business mentorship in the U.S..
Association for Entrepreneurship USA (AFEUSA): Provides members with access to basic health services, insurance, legal and financial services, and educational resources.
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE): Represents companies with 10 or fewer employees and offers grants, scholarships, and consultant access to members.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Advocates for business-friendly policies and provides free resources, events, and a network of local chapters.
Accelerators and incubators
Business incubators: Organizations that provide emerging businesses with services, resources, and shared office space.
Accelerators: Programs, often with a competitive application process, that provide mentorship, training, and sometimes seed funding to high-impact startups, such as MassChallenge and TechStars.
Educational resources
University programs: Many universities, like Harvard and MIT, offer free resources, courses, and programs to support entrepreneurship.
Online courses and platforms:
Amazon's Small Business Academy offers free online resources for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs.
Google for Small Business provides free tools and lessons on topics like SEO and marketing.
HubSpot Academy offers free and paid courses on sales, marketing, and other business topics.
Bplans: Offers guides, articles, and templates for writing a business plan and other planning activities.
Networking and community
Local Chambers of Commerce: Local chapters of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce offer networking opportunities within your community.
Networking groups: Organizations like the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) offer networking events, advocacy, and educational content.
Industry-specific associations: The International Franchise Association and the National Retail Federation provide support tailored to specific industries.
Crowdfunding platforms: Sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe not only help raise capital but also help validate a business idea by gauging public interest.
General Community Engagement
Toolkits and Guides
Comprehensive community engagement resources include toolkits, guides, and strategic advice for nonprofits, government agencies, and community-led initiatives. Key resources emphasize inclusivity, mutual exchange, and building trust to foster stronger, more cohesive communities.
General community engagement toolkits and guides
HUD Exchange Community Engagement Toolkit: Offers people-centered strategies and a roadmap for building community-driven development. It provides a three-part pathway to help users initiate, carry out, and evaluate a community engagement strategy.
Urban Institute Community Engagement Resource Center (CERC): Provides training, tools, and technical assistance on community engagement and participatory methods for researchers, funders, and policymakers.
Collective Impact Forum Community Engagement Toolkit: Provides tools for planning community engagement that is more purposeful, equitable, and transparent, with the goal of making community members true partners.
Tamarack Institute Community Engagement Planning Canvas: An interactive tool with a comprehensive list of techniques you can use to plan your engagement strategy based on the level of participation desired.
For nonprofits and social initiatives
Kannect: "Empowering Nonprofit Groups": Provides eight strategies for effective community engagement, including using surveys, hosting casual conversations, and mapping existing resources to understand community needs.
Building Movement Project (BMP) NICE Guide: Offers tools, information, and case studies to help nonprofits integrate community members' voices into their daily practices.
Anedot: "80 Community Service Ideas": A list of ideas for nonprofits and individuals to engage with their community, including hosting donation drives, starting a community garden, and supporting local businesses.
For government and public agencies
Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) Community Engagement Resources: Curates resources specifically for local governments, including information on advisory boards, citizen academies, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
Performance.gov Participation Resources: Offers policy guidance for federal agencies on improving public participation and community engagement through various methods, such as notice-and-comment processes and surveys.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR): Provides specific tools for public health-related community engagement, including virtual meetings, public availability sessions, and guidance on developing a community engagement plan.
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Resource Guide: Guides park and recreation agencies on building an inclusive community engagement approach that aligns with community goals.
Foundational strategies and best practices
The 3 C's of community engagement: A common framework built on three pillars: Communication (transparent exchange of information), Collaboration (working with community members), and Commitment (dedication to building long-term trust).
Effective strategies:
Listen first: Use surveys, focus groups, and informal conversations to understand community needs and contexts before acting.
Go digital and physical: Use a mix of online tools (e.g., social media, newsletters) and face-to-face events (e.g., pop-up booths, volunteer days) to reach a wider audience.
Adapt your approach: Be prepared to use different methods for different community groups, such as using plain language for communication and offering varied engagement activities.
Build an advisory board: Establish a group of diverse community representatives to provide ongoing input on projects and programs.
Incentivize participation: Offer non-monetary incentives or fair payments to individuals and groups who give up their time.
