Proud. Independent. Unique.
Small Business Support
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Dream it.
The conception stage of your business requires research and planning. You may start with many assumptions about what your business will be, where it will be, and who your customers will be, but conducting research may challenge those assumptions and lead you to a more solid starting point.
Complete a draft of your business model Canvas using resources such as the Louisville Free Public Library and the U.S. Small Business Administration to research your idea.
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Build it.
Launching, growing, and sustaining your business requires a team approach. Louisville’s ecosystem of small business resources can assist you with expert advice and consultation for growing and sustaining your business.
There is no local business license required; however, businesses must be registered with the Louisville Metro Revenue Commission, Jefferson County Clerk's Office and Commonwealth of Kentucky. If you are a minority, woman, disabled, or a veteran, you also should apply for and obtain a Business Enterprise Certification from the Human Relations Commission.
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Grow it.
LEDA offers a broad array of local financing options for business owners and developers of commercial property and can assist with start-up and expansion costs, building façade improvements, and major renovations, and help low- and moderate-income individuals either start a microbusiness or improve a pre-existing one. These programs are administered by the Metropolitan Business Development Corporation (METCO) and do not finance property purchases.
In addition to the METCO Loan Programs, there are a variety of other funding options for small businesses listed below.
Other Small Business Resource Organizations
Below are other organizations in Louisville that provide resources for small businesses, including funding, business plan and registration assistance, mentoring, credit repair and educational workshops.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration provides counseling services to help start and grow a small business, as well as a full array of loan, contracting, and exporting programs.
Access Ventures offers the Growth Loan, a character-based loan of up to $35,000 with no collateral or credit requirements. It is designed for small business owners who are unable to access capital through traditional underwriting methods.
Community Ventures is a nonprofit agency that specializes in small business development and lending.
JFCS Navigate is a business microlender, specializing in financing viable small business ventures that don't meet the criteria of banks or other traditional lenders. Programs include microloans for low-income individuals, immigrants, refugees, women, minorities, and other micro entrepreneurs who encounter difficulty in obtaining financing.
LHOME offers existing small business owners loans for up to $15,000. These loans have a 7.5% APR and a 36-month maturity.
LISC Louisville supports job growth in underserved communities, particularly in West Louisville, by helping equip local businesses with the funding and technical resources they need to grow. LISC provides direct financing while also building out larger networks of coordinated assistance for small enterprises overlooked by conventional financing channels.
Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) offers fixed-rate loans for businesses in manufacturing, agribusiness, service, and technology.
Kentucky Proud offers marketing assistance, promotional materials, and other “buy local” support programs.
KY INNOVATION, through the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, provides financial support through an array of financial assistance and tax credit programs to encourage economic development, business expansion, and job creation.
Crowdfunding sources include Kickstarter,GoFundMe and Indiegogo.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration provides counseling services to help start and grow a small business, as well as a full array of loan, contracting, and exporting programs.
AMPED Russell Technology Business Incubator is a one-year intensive educational and support program that is meant to accelerate the growth of startup businesses. Support includes access to startup coaches, mental health counseling, and seed capital. Participants receive business development certificate classes from universities and colleges in pricing, marketing, accounting, entrepreneurship, and more.
Community Ventures is a nonprofit agency that specializes in small business development and lending.
JFCS Navigate empowers micro-entrepreneurs to sustain viable businesses that support themselves and the communities where they live. In addition to microlending, JFCS Navigate provides personalized training and consulting services, marketing assistance, and credit building.
Kentucky APEX Accelerator offers procurement assistance to Kentucky businesses statewide. Its goal is to cultivate opportunity and economic development across the state by helping Kentucky companies generate sales with federal, state and local government agencies and buyers.
LISC Louisville supports job growth in underserved communities, particularly in West Louisville, by helping equip local businesses with the funding and technical resources they need to grow. LISC provides direct financing while also building out larger networks of coordinated assistance for small enterprises overlooked by conventional financing channels.
The Louisville Urban League's Center for Entrepreneurship serves as the front door for current and aspiring Black business owners looking to start-up, stabilize, or scale. The League offers one-on-one business coaching, financial coaching, credit repair, educational workshops, and free professional services (accounting, legal, marketing, etc.).
The free REACH program, hosted by Louisville Metro Government's Office for Immigrant Affairs and the Louisville Small Business Development Center, help immigrant small business owners prepare their business for growth, providing information and resources in their native language.
SCORE Kentuckiana is a volunteer, nonprofit organization of counselors who provide free and confidential business counseling to both prospective entrepreneurs and existing small business owners throughout the Louisville metropolitan area.
The Plan Room at OneWest provides Black and minority business owners in the construction industry with training, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The goal is to provide contractors the technical assistance, skills, information, and resources they need to grow their business and increase wealth-building opportunities.
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Business associations are effective catalysts in bringing improvements and new businesses to commercial areas. Check out the list below to find an association in your area.
Dixie Area Business Association
Fern Creek Community Association and Chamber of Commerce
Frankfort Avenue Business Association
Jeffersontown Chamber of Commerce
Louisville Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Louisville Independent Business Alliance
Middletown Chamber of Commerce
Parkland Business Development Association
Preston Area Business Association
Prospect Area Chamber of Commerce