Business Development Links -- Resources -- DBRC


	SUPPORT FOR DIVERSE ENTREPRENEURS Clients of the Diversity Business Resource Center- minority, women, veteran or other disadvantaged business owners and potential entrepreneurs- have access to a wide range of resources, training and programs. Whether at the pre-venture, startup, existing or mature phase of business, DBRC clients will find confidential and professional support tailored to their specific needs.


	Featured Organization

	Pittsburgh Public Schools The School District of the City of Pittsburgh developed a strategic public contracting plan. The plan ensures that Eligible Business Enterprises (EBE) have full access and equal opportunity to participate in the School District's public contracting. To learn more about the EBE policy go to Pittsburgh Public Schools website

	Business Development Organizations Business Funding Assistance
	Text/HTML Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide free business counseling on issues such as business planning and marketing assistance and also hold seminars for a nominal fee. The SBDCs serving Southwestern PA are: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence Counties: Duquesne University Allegheny, Washington and Greene Counties: University of Pittsburgh Westmoreland and Fayette Counties: St. Vincent College Indiana County: Indiana University of PA The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a national organization whose counselors from the Pittsburgh chapter meet with clients at the DBRC. SCORE counselors are available to you as a sounding board for your ideas, for brainstorming new ideas, or just solid business advice. The U.S. Small Business Administration has a Pittsburgh district office that serves business owners located in the 27 counties of western PA. Last year, the Pittsburgh District Office assisted hundreds of people through training, counseling and business development programs. For veterans in this region, the Massey Center for Business Innovation and Development at Robert Morris University houses the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC). The VBOC provides focused business support and ongoing entrepreneurial education. A new comprehensive web portal is available fromHelping Entrepreneurs Learn from Peers (HELP) that provides a single point of access for entrepreneurial support. The Internal Revenue Service has a webpage dedicated to tax planning and other tax issues affecting small business owners.