Free, 16-week program training minority and women business owners to succeed in governmental, institutional and private contracting.
Grow a Small Business
Opportunities and knowledge to get your business off the ground and sustain long-term success.
The Mecklenburg County Office of Economic Development offers free, one-on-one technical assistance, with the highest standards of customer service, to help small businesses foster growth. Contact us to continue your journey to success.
How We Can Help You
We can help you navigate the complexities of being an entrepreneur, and guide you to resources and solutions. We offer step-by-step guidance on:
- Business formation, legal structures and compliance
- Market research, competitor analysis, strategic planning and capacity building
- Federal, state, and local tax registrations, IRS filings and reporting
- Business planning
- Marketing and branding
- Human resources, including hiring and workplace policies
- Nonprofit registration, tax-exempt status and compliance, fundraising, governance, and more
- Government contracting, including creating scopes of work and responding to requests for proposal (RFPs)
Whether you are just starting out or scaling up, we’re here to walk beside you, offering clarity, confidence, and a clear path forward. Receive expert advice on:
- Marketing strategies
- Government contracting strategies
- Strategic plans
- Operational efficiency strategies
- Locating a commercial space
- Veteran business services
- Nonprofit assistance
Business planning involves identifying the current state of your business or organization, determining where you want to go, and developing a strategic roadmap to get there.
We can help you create a framework for decision-making, resource allocation, establishing your mission and vision, setting benchmarks, and mastering miscalculations and processes for success.
We can conduct a financial assessment of your business and/or help you develop a credit-building program.
We can help you find financing that fits your needs and aligns with the financial institution’s lending objectives.
Meck Lending is Mecklenburg County’s revolving loan program that offers business loans of up to $75,000 with accommodating terms. Need money for your business? Schedule a meeting with us.
The County works to help small businesses be competitive for governmental purchasing.
In partnership with the Office of Economic Development’s Business Diversity and Inclusion division, we offer technical assistance with certifications and services available through the following programs and offices:
- City of Charlotte Charlotte Business INClusion program.
- N.C. Department of Administration Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses
- N.C. Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
- State of North Carolina electronic Vendor Portal
- U.S. General Services Administration System for Award Management (SAM.gov)
Mecklenburg County is committed to working with local businesses to deliver high-quality goods and services to our community.
We make the process to become a registered County vendor straightforward and transparent. Once registered, vendors gain access to bid notifications, procurement resources, and support to help navigate the government contracting landscape.
