Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network
Western Regional Office

 

Business Services

 

Serving Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, the Western Region works with new and existing small businesses through a combination of no-cost, confidential business advising, technical assistance, information and referral, and training programs. The Massachusetts SBDC is designed to effectively service small businesses throughout Massachusetts.

Click here to see a list of towns serviced by the Western Region.

 

Business Advisory Services

bakeryA full-time staff of business advisors provide no-cost and confidential business advising to small businesses. We provide assistance to individuals contemplating a business venture, along with new, existing, expanding and troubled businesses.

When you meet with an advisor, please bring any relevant information on your business or new venture. Preparation for your appointment will help to maximize the use of the advising session. Click here to see decisions that you should think about before your first appointment.

If you are ready to get started receiving no-cost and confidential business assistance, please complete our online Request for Advising and a staff member will contact you about the next steps. Please note that our business advisors do not give legal advice, write business plans, negotiate contracts or make decisions for clients.

Areas of assistance include, but are not limited to:

  • Start-up Business Assistance

  • Business Plan Development

  • Financial Plan Development 

  • Marketing and Sales Strategies

  • Cash Flow Analysis

  • Organizational and Personnel Issues

Preventure Clients: If you are in the early stages of exploring and developing a business idea and have not yet officially launched or generated revenue, you will be required to take our online "How to Start a Business" training series prior to booking an appointment with an advisor. If this applies to you, once your Request for Advising is processed, you will receive an email from our office with a link to the training series.
 

 
 Our services are further augmented by two Massachusetts SBDC specialty centers: 

  • Massachusetts Export Center: Advisors help companies throughout the Commonwealth to achieve success in global markets through a statewide network of international trade professionals by providing targeted, high-impact services for exporters, including advising, training, research and technical assistance. Visit the Massachusetts Export Center's website at www.mass.gov/export.

  • Government Sales Advisory Program: Business advisors are dedicated to providing assistance in bidding, managing and performing on government contracts. E-commerce, including registering, bidding and performing online, in a paperless environment is a vital part of federal contracting. For further information, visit www.msbdc.gs.

 

Training

The Western Region conducts seminars, workshops and webinars addressing a wide range of concerns for both start-up and existing businesses. Many programs are cosponsored with local chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, community development organizations, banks and trade associations.


Financing

Having sufficient financial resources to support your business may make the difference between the success and failure of your business. The Western Region can help you negotiate the financial challenges faced by start-up and expanding businesses. The Massachusetts SBDC does not provide financing. We work with banks and other lending organizations (both conventional and non-conventional sources) to assist in putting together financial projections, but the actual financing comes from outside sources. The Massachusetts SBDC advisors can assist with assembling financial statements, preparing loan applications and securing the best financing options for your business.