Alabama: Business Resources
Starting or growing a business in Alabama offers both exciting potential and unique hurdles. Whether you're in Birmingham, a coastal town, or a rural community, this resource page highlights the top tools, programs, and support networks available to help your business thrive in the Heart of Dixie.
Alabama Business Resources
State & Federal Government Resources
As the state’s principal economic development agency, the Department of Commerce is a central hub for business support. Its public-facing brand, “Made in Alabama,” promotes the state’s business-friendly climate and highlights its economic evolution. The Office of Small Business Advocacy (OSBA) is dedicated to fostering the growth of Alabama’s small businesses by providing a variety of assistance. It acts as an information clearinghouse and ensures the concerns of small business owners are addressed at the state level.
The Alabama Secretary of State’s Business Entities Division is the official government body responsible for the filing and registration of new business entities. It provides the necessary forms, online filing portals, and record-keeping services required to legally establish a corporation, LLC, or other formal business structure in Alabama.
The Alabama Department of Revenue’s Business and License Division is responsible for the administration of state business licenses and taxes. It provides businesses with the necessary forms, guidance, and online tools to ensure compliance with Alabama’s tax laws and licensing requirements.
Atlas Alabama is a one-stop digital platform providing a guided experience for starting, managing, and growing a small business in the state. It consolidates information from various government agencies into a single, user-friendly resource for entrepreneurs.
The Alabama Department of Labor oversees the state’s labor laws and workforce programs. It is the primary resource for small businesses to ensure compliance with regulations related to employees, including workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and workplace safety.
The SBA’s Alabama District Office is the main federal resource for small businesses in the state, providing access to capital, counseling, and contracting opportunities. It connects entrepreneurs with SBA-backed loans, training, and certification programs designed to help them start, grow, and succeed.
The U.S. General Services Administration provides the tools and resources necessary for small businesses to learn about and compete for federal government contracts. It offers access to contract opportunities, market research tools, and educational materials on the federal procurement process.
The Internal Revenue Service is the federal agency responsible for tax collection and administration. It provides small businesses with the necessary forms, instructions, and local assistance centers to ensure compliance with federal tax obligations.
Funding & Financial Assistance
Innovate Alabama’s SSBCI program is the state’s primary mechanism for increasing access to capital. It uses federal funds to create credit enhancement and venture capital programs that incentivize private lenders and investors to finance Alabama’s small businesses and startups.
The ASBDC’s Capital Access Program and its AssistAL initiative provide the essential, no-cost technical assistance and advising that prepare small businesses to successfully apply for and obtain funding through Alabama’s SSBCI programs and other traditional lending sources.
SBA loan programs (7(a), 504, and Microloan) are government-guaranteed loans offered through private lenders. They provide small businesses with access to capital for a variety of needs with favorable terms, making them a cornerstone of small business financing.
Alabama Credit Union is a local financial institution that provides direct lending to small businesses for a variety of needs, including commercial real estate, equipment purchases, and operational financing.
TruFund Financial Services is a non-profit CDFI that provides accessible loans and business advisory services to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Alabama, with a special focus on serving low-income and economically distressed communities.
Sabre Finance is a non-profit lender and SBA partner that provides customized financial solutions, including microloans and 504 loans, alongside technical assistance and training to support small business growth in Alabama.
Business Development, Mentorship & Support
The Alabama SBDC Network is the state’s primary provider of no-cost, expert business advising. Its university-based centers help entrepreneurs and existing business owners with strategic planning, financial management, marketing, and accessing capital to foster economic growth.
The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship is a North Alabama non-profit that provides comprehensive coaching, training, and resources to startups and small businesses, with specialized programs for women entrepreneurs and government contractors.
The Central Alabama Redevelopment Alliance (CARA) provides educational business development programs, including a Micro Business Accelerator, to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of small businesses in Central Alabama’s communities.
The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama is a private organization that works to foster a thriving business climate in the state, providing resources and connections that assist small and minority-owned businesses in their growth.
The UWA DBE Supportive Services program offers specialized training and technical assistance to ALDOT-certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, helping them develop the skills needed to compete successfully for transportation-related contracts.
SCORE Alabama provides free, confidential business mentoring and education from a network of volunteer experts. It is an ideal resource for entrepreneurs seeking experienced guidance and a trusted advisor to help start or grow their business.
Alabama’s Women’s Business Centers are part of a national network providing targeted training, mentoring, and resources to empower women entrepreneurs, helping them to overcome unique challenges and achieve success.
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is an executive-level education and mentorship program for established, growth-oriented small business owners in Alabama, offered at no cost to participants.
IGNITE! Alabama is a non-profit dedicated to providing mentorship, strategic guidance, and support services to social enterprises and businesses in underserved Black and rural communities, helping them to stabilize, sustain, and scale.
Chambers of Commerce & Professional Associations
The Business Council of Alabama is the state’s leading chamber of commerce, advocating for the interests of Alabama’s business community in Montgomery and Washington, D.C., to improve the overall business climate.
The Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama is the professional organization that supports and strengthens local chambers across the state through education, resources, and networking for chamber professionals.
The Birmingham Business Alliance is the chamber of commerce and economic development organization for the Greater Birmingham Region, providing networking, advocacy, and business resources to drive growth and prosperity.
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic organization that drives economic growth and supports the business community in Alabama’s high-tech corridor through advocacy, networking, and small business resources.
The Mobile Chamber is a member-driven organization that promotes business and commercial commerce in the Mobile area, providing tools, resources, and programming to help businesses start, manage, and grow.
The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce is a comprehensive economic development organization that works to improve economic prosperity and quality of life in the capital region through job creation, advocacy, and member services.
The Alabama Associated General Contractors is the primary trade association for the commercial construction industry, providing advocacy, safety services, education, and exclusive insurance programs to its members.
The Alabama Association of Nonprofits is a statewide membership organization that strengthens the non-profit sector through advocacy, education, and networking opportunities for non-profit leaders and organizations.
Manufacture Alabama is the state’s dedicated trade association for the manufacturing sector, advocating on behalf of its members to create a positive and competitive business environment.
Food, Agriculture & Tourism Resources
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is the state government agency responsible for regulating and promoting Alabama’s agricultural sector, ensuring food safety, and providing marketing and certification assistance to farmers and agribusinesses.
<a hrefaAlabama Farmers Federation (ALFA)="https://www.alaskafarmersmarkets.org/">Alaska Farmers Market Association (AFMA)
The Alabama Farmers Federation is the state’s largest membership-based farm organization, providing powerful advocacy, educational programs, and a wide range of member benefits to support Alabama’s farmers and rural communities.
The Alabama Agribusiness Council is a statewide organization representing the diverse interests of the entire agribusiness sector. It provides advocacy, networking, and information to promote and enhance agriculture and forestry in Alabama.
The Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association is the state’s premier trade association for the food service, lodging, and tourism industries, providing advocacy, education, and resources to support its members.
SUSTA is a multi-state trade association that helps Southern agribusinesses, including those in Alabama, grow their international sales by connecting them with foreign buyers and providing export marketing assistance.
he Alabama Tourism Department is the state agency that markets Alabama as a premier travel destination. It provides a free platform for tourism-related businesses to promote their offerings to a wide audience and offers grants, data, and industry support.
The UACED’s Tourism Development Program assists Alabama communities in developing and promoting their nature- and heritage-based tourism assets as a strategy for sustainable economic growth.
Certification & Branding Programs
The OMBE program provides state-level certification for minority- and women-owned businesses, enhancing their ability to compete for contracts with the State of Alabama and other entities.
The SBA’s WOSB certification is a federal program that helps women entrepreneurs access and win federal contracts by allowing them to compete for exclusive set-aside opportunities.
WBENC certification is the “gold standard” for women-owned businesses seeking to connect with and supply goods and services to major corporations across the country.
The “Made in Alabama” program is the state’s official branding initiative, which showcases the success stories of Alabama-based companies, enhancing their visibility and associating them with the state’s dynamic economic growth.
The Alabama STEP Grant is a financial assistance program that helps small businesses overcome the costs associated with exporting, enabling them to enter new international markets and grow their global sales.
Free Tools for Alabama Small Businesses
Find out the minimum return on ad spend your business needs to break even. Just enter your costs and revenue goals to see if your ads are paying off or falling short.
Calculate the right price for your product or service by entering your cost and desired profit margin. This tool helps you stay competitive while protecting your bottom line.
See how a raise will affect your paycheck by entering your current salary and the raise percentage. This tool helps you understand the real impact of pay increases, monthly, annually, and by paycheck—so you can plan your finances with clarity.