Dayton's econcomy represents a mixture of companies of all sizes and nearly every variety. This diversity is essential to the continued prosperity and vibrancy of the region. The information below is provided as a resource to small businesses currently located in or planning to locate in Dayton. Small businesses face many of the same challenges as large corporations and must continually increase productivity and efficiency in order to compete in today's competitive marketplace.
If you are starting a small business, your most valuable tool in securing financing will be a business plan. Your business plan should provide a detailed outline of your operations, product lines, marketing strategy, projected income statements, and sources of financing. The Dayton region is rich with resources for small businesses.
The Entrepreneurs Center
is a technology incubator dedicated to "graduating" successful tenants who will contribute to the richness of the local economy through job creation. Tenants of The Entrepreneurs Center have access to low-cost office space and utilities, low-cost administrative services, a robust technology infrastructure, and access to mentors, free and reduced outside business services, business technical assistance, along with many additional benefits.
The Small Business Development Center
offers free professional and comprehensive business consultation services to small businesses throughout all stages of development. The SBDC also offers business training programs (some free and some with minimal fees) as a means of supplementing its business consultation services.
SCORE
is a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating entrepreneurs as well as the establishment, advancement and success of small businesses. SCORE offers free business counseling from both working and retired business executives. SCORE counselors donate their time and expertise in order to realize their goal of the continued development of small business.
The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
provides many member services and networking opportunities, addresses legislative and regulatory issues at all government levels, and provides business planning, international trade assistance, and research. The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce represents more than 3,000 organizations spread across multiple counties in the Dayton region. The Dayton Area Chamber being fully accredited by the United States Chamber of Commerce has also gained recognition as one of the largest and most effective Chambers in the nation.
The Greater Dayton IT Alliance
is a trade association focused on the retention and growth of the Information Technology industry in the Dayton region. The IT Alliance organizes networking events for companies in the IT industry. The organization also works with member businesses to help manage their technical training needs along with providing many additional services.
The i-Zone
offers collective resources in marketing and strategic planning, accounting, legal and financial planning, funding channels, or operations resources such as space and support to entrepreneurs. Through the i-Zone, Dayton-area professionals also donate their time to educating and mentoring entrepreneurs offering more than 2500 hours of service time available for entrepreneurs to take advantage of each year. The i-Zone also offers additional networking opportunities to the business community.
CountyCorp
is a private not-for-profit development corporation dedicated to supporting economic development and job creation throughout the region. CountyCorp makes fixed low interest loans available to businesses for both their building expansion and equipment needs.
CityWide Development Corporation
is a not-for-profit development organization created in 1972 by the City of Dayton, local business leaders and neighborhood leaders. CityWide offers financial, consultative and educational services to new and expanding businesses in the region.
The Dayton Development Coalition
is a private non-profit organization which recognizes the need for regional collaboration in promoting economic development and high-quality jobs. The Coalition works with business leaders from varying segments of the regions economy to continue to improve our economy and create more jobs. One of the four major initiatives that the Coalition focuses on as a means on realizing its goal of economic growth includes funding and educating the region's entrepreneurs.
The Downtown Dayton Partnership
offers advice and assistance in promotional activities to businesses and organizations located within the Downtown Special Improvements District and to its members. Qualifying business can receive assistance with advertising, media relations, grand openings, and other related marketing needs.
The Job Center
is the largest one-stop center of its kind in the United States. The Montgomery County Job Center offers a comprehensive package of services to Dayton area employers including, a job postings and a resume database, private interview rooms, pre-screening and assessment of candidates, no-cost workforce planning and recruitment, job fairs and a variety of other recruitment services.