Small businesses are vital to Kentucky’s economy. More than 90 percent of the businesses in the Commonwealth have fewer than 50 employees. A variety of services and programs exist to assist small businesses, from early start-up to later stages of growth. Many valuable services are provided directly by the Economic Development Cabinet, but you will also find valuable links to service providers all around Kentucky.

Direct Services

The Small Business Services Division offers these direct services to Kentucky businesses:

• Small & Minority Business – provides initial start-up and growth information to small businesses. Examples include information on starting or buying a business, operating an online business, developing a business plan, getting your business certified and Kentucky Business Finder registration assistance. This area is also a contact point to learn more about topics such as business funding, financial statements and business incubators. For additional information or assistance, please email cedsbsd@ky.gov or call 800-626-2250.
  
  
• Business Information Clearinghouse – provides information on the proper permits and licenses needed to do business in Kentucky. The Clearinghouse maintains the Kentucky Business Guide, a handbook for starting and licensing your business in Kentucky. For additional information or assistance, please email cedsbsd@ky.gov or call 800-626-2250.
  
  
• Kentucky Procurement Assistance – helps businesses understand how to do business with federal, state and local government agencies. This program maintains an online Guide to Government Contracting and provides one-on-one consulting and group training on issues related to government contracting. In addition, they offer an automated bid match system that provides targeted government marketing leads to registered businesses. For additional information or assistance, please email ced.kpap@ky.gov or call 800-838-3266.

Advocacy

The Kentucky Commission on Small Business Advocacy exists to provide linkages between the small business community and public policy in the Commonwealth. The Commission reviews proposed new regulations for impacts on small business and serves as a resource on policy issues affecting the interests of small business. For more information or assistance, please email Ken.Robinson@ky.gov or call 877-355-3822.

For assistance with regulatory matters of this Cabinet concerning small businesses, please contact the Small Business Ombudsman.

Referral Services

A variety of service providers across the Commonwealth serve small businesses with direct counseling and financing services. To locate these service providers closest to your business location, use the Entrepreneur Resource Navigator. By entering your business location by county, ERN will provide linkages to nearby services.