Business Technical Resources

The City of Maple Lake supports entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Many companies find the following technical resources useful for entrepreneurs trying to start a business  or experienced businesses seeking to grow stronger.  (Select underlined text for additional information.)

• Association of Women’s Business Centers
  Founded in 1998, the AWBC is a non-profit that supports entrepreneurial development among women as a way to achieve economic self-sufficiency, create wealth and participate in economic development through education, training, mentoring, business development and financing opportunities.
• Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association
  The Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association serves as a unified, cooperative resource for its members. It provides them a forum for sharing ideas and information and assists in a dialog regarding the economic and social value of manufacturing to the public, educational institutions and government entities.
• DEED Workforce Services
  The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Security helps companies solve difficult workforce needs with tailor made solutions.  This service is provided at no cost to the company.
• Enterprise Minnesota
  Enterprise Minnesota is a non-profit organization that works with manufacturing businesses to increase competitiveness and growth rates.  Enterprise Minnesota’s services are provided on a fee basis.
• SBA
  The Small Business Administration (SBA) delivers millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses throughout the country.  Its website includes extensive information on starting or managing a small business including assistance with preparing a business plan.
• SCORE
  SCORE is a resource dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide. There are more than 12,400 SCORE volunteers in 364 chapters operating in over 800 locations who assist small businesses with business counseling and training. SCORE mentors are often retired business owners, executives or corporate leaders.  SCORE offers many free and confidential services and operates an active online counseling initiative at its website.
• Small Business Development Centers
  The Small Business Development Center Network is a comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories.  The mission of the network is to help new entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership, and assist existing businesses to remain competitive in the complex marketplace of an ever-changing global economy.  Hosted by leading universities, colleges and state economic development agencies, and funded in part through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, approximately 1,000 service centers are available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training.