BUSINESS
BUSINESS RESOURCES
The links below are intended to help you with your business development or the creation of a new business. Click here to view a Directory of Support Entities or view our Membership Directory to access chamber members that can be helpful to you.
Starting a Business? Resources and Information
- Business resources, business licenses and permits, business plans, business registration, small business counseling, education, financing, guides, information, “How to” books and market analysis, regulation, taxes and other resources.
Education
- Training program development (in-house)
- Business seminars)
- Continuing education programs)
Financing
International Trade
Marketing Your Products and Services
- Consultants
- Selling to government entities
Personnel
- Demographics and statistical data
Reference Materials
- Area demographics, statistical info and census data
- Periodicals, publications, reference books and trade directories
Safety
- Occupational Health and Safety information
- Insurance
Site Location
- Finding a site to lease, rent or buy
Taxes
Utilities
- Electric and water, natural gas, telecommunications and Underground utilities
Directory of Local Business Support Entities
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Business Resources
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
The chamber provides information, referral sources, business education (roundtables, seminars and workshops) and counseling for individuals starting a business. Contact the Eugene Chamber at (541) 484-1314 to find out about the multitude of resources available to you as you start and develop your business.
Business Licenses & Permits
City of Eugene or City of Springfield
The Citys’ Permit & Information Centers will explain which permits or certifications are required for the construction or operation of your business.
Business Plans
Local Score"Counselors to America's Small Business" provides counseling (at no cost) and is dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business. SCORE counselors will help you create a business plan that will be meaningful to financial sources. The local SCORE chapter is sponsored by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Administration. Quarterly seminars are also available. Call (541) 465-6600 to schedule an appointment.
B Plans, Small Business Planner, Score
Web sources for business plan information
Busines Registration
Oregon Corporation Division
Contact the Oregon Secretary of State Corporation Division to register a business name or for information on corporations. Explore the on-line business registry database. Access forms and fees.
Small Business Counseling
Score "Counselors to America's Small Business" provides counseling (at no cost) and is dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business. SCORE counselors will help you create a business plan that will be meaningful to financial sources. The SCORE chapter is sponsored by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Administration. Quarterly seminars are also available. Call (541) 465-6600 to schedule an appointment.
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Guides
The Oregon Corporation Division has produced an Oregon Business Guide, designed to provide basic information on starting a business in Oregon. The guide provides a general checklist to guide you through the process of registering your business.
Other Resources
Office of Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business
Promotes equal access to contracting opportunities for minorities, women, and emerging small businesses in both the public and private sector. (503) 947-7976 (Salem) or (503) 887-4349 (Portland)
Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs
OAME is a non-profit, tax exempt organization formed to promote and develop entrepreneurship and economic development for ethnic minorities in the State of Oregon and SW Washington. OAME works as a partnership between ethnic minorities, entrepreneurs, education, government and established corporate businesses. (503) 249-7744
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Training Program Development (In-House)
Lane Community College Business Development Center & Employee Training
LCC’s Center has the ability to design in-house training programs for business when appropriate. Call 726-2255 for more information.
Business Seminars
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
The Eugene Area Chamber offers seminars on current topics of interest to those running a business. Topics may pertain to international trade, sales, marketing, financing, technology, workforce development and more. Part or full-day conferences and workshops are also produced or sponsored by the Chamber.
Lane Community College Business Development Center & Employee Training
LANE’s Business Development Center offers a variety of topics for small business owners ranging from 2 to 30 hours in length.
Score Counselors to America's Small Business holds a Small Business Seminar every ninety days with SCORE professionals who have “been there” and done it successfully. Call 465-6600 for reservations, dates and details or visit their Web site.
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Financing Options
Eugene Chamber of Commerce
Check the Chamber’s Business Directory to view reputable banks and financial institutions.
Lane Council of Governments
Lane Council of Governments processes a variety of Small Business Administration loans. Contact Steve Dignam at (541) 682-7450 or email
City of Eugene
The City of Eugene has a loan specialist that can help review your business’s financing needs. The City of Eugene has business loan programs available to businesses located in Eugene. Contact Denny Braud, Loan Specialist at (541) 682-5536 or email
Lane Venture Forum
The Lane Venture Forum is a program that facilitates the process of matching entrepreneurs in search of funding with angel investors. Entrepreneurs applying to the forum must have a completed business plan and presentation prepared. Contact Caroline Cummings at (541) 968-2982 or email
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Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
Check the Eugene Chamber’s International Trade Resource Directory to reach the right resources to answer questions pertaining to conducting business internationally or for a listing of freightforwarders and customshouse brokerage agencies. The Chamber also produces occasional international business roundtables and seminars pertaining to trade practices, regulations, trade shows, finding agents and distributors and more. See the event calendar for more information on upcoming events. Stop by the Chamber to view the International Etiquette Guide before traveling abroad.
The U.S. Export Assistance Center (Portland) provides assistance for export-ready businesses including research and counseling on international markets; identifying potential agents/distributors; participating in International trade shows and e-commerce.
Oregon's International Trade Services works with Oregon companies by offering a range of programs and services designed to help the state's small- and medium-sized non-agricultural businesses successfully compete in today's international marketplace. We assist with counseling, market research, due diligence in identifying and evaluating international partners, and other services to help companies develop and expand their products and services in key overseas markets.
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Consultants
Eugene Chamber of Commerce
Check the Chamber’s business directory for many qualified consultants to help you with your marketing, advertising, graphic and promotional needs.
Selling to Government Entities
City of Eugene
Businesses interested in contracting with and/or selling goods and services to the City of Eugene should contact the City’s Purchasing division (541) 682-5055 in order to register as a vendor. Call to request information and assistance in registering as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) vendor.
Government Contracts Acquisition Program
The Government Contract Assistance Program (GCAP) is a Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), Oregon's link to a $250 billion market. It is a private non-profit agency providing comprehensive technical assistance in obtaining government contracts. GCAP provides daily computer matching of contract opportunities, training and support services. Call (541) 344-3537.
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Demographics and Statistical Data
Oregon Employment Department
The Oregon Employment Department has labor force and employment data, information on wage rates, census data, personal income information, and economic forecasts.
Periodicals, publications, reference books and trade directories
University of Oregon Knight Library
Eugene Public Library
Oregon State University
Census Data
US Census Bureau
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Oregon Occupational Health and Safety Division
Workplace safety and health information including rules/laws, downloadable training information, workers’ compensation and more.
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
Check the Chamber’s business directory for many qualified commercial real estate specialists to help you find a business location that will fulfill your needs.
Oregon Department of Revenue
The Oregon Department of Revenue provides information about income taxes, corporate tax rates, motor vehicle taxes, and PUC taxes.
State of Oregon Employment Department
The State of Oregon Employment Department provides employment tax information.
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service provides information about Federal tax rates and requirements.
Internal Revenue Service
Provides information about Lane Transit District payroll tax
Lane County
To inquire about property taxes including those on business equipment fixtures.
Electric and Water--Eugene Water and Electric Board
Natural Gas--Northwest Natural Gas
Telecommunications--Telecommunications
Underground Utilities--Oregon Utilities Notification Center
Better Business Bureau
Better Business Bureau – Works to help solve marketplace problems by providing business reliability reports and dispute resolution, and by using voluntary self-regulation and consumer education.
Bureau of Labor and Industry (BOLI)
Promotes the development of a highly-skilled, competitive workforce in Oregon through partnerships with government, labor, business, and educational institutions.
City of Eugene
City of Springfield
Travel Lane County
Markets Lane County as a convention, meeting, event, and leisure-travel destination to attract overnight visits.
Eugene Airport
Air transportation services for Lane County and the region.
Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
Provides business assistance, education and networking, represents the interests of business (advocacy), and promotes the community. The Chamber is Lane County’s largest business association.
Eugene Public Library
Lane Metro Partnership
A regional economic development organization that provides information (workforce, incentives, etc.) to businesses looking to locate or expand in Lane County.
Lane Community College Business Development Center & Employee Training
Lane Council of Governments
A regional planning, coordination, program-development, and service-delivery organization of Local governments in Lane County, Oregon.
Lane County
Lane Workforce Partnership
Helps employers recruit and retain employees, while helping individuals find employment.
Office of Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business
Promotes equal access to contracting opportunities for minorities, women, and emerging small businesses in both the public and private sector.
Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME)
Oregon Economic & Community Development Department
Provides economic and community development and cultural enhancement, and administers programs that assist businesses, communities and people
Oregon Utilities Notification Center
SCORE
Provides free business counseling services.
SAIF
SAIF Corporation is Oregon's not-for-profit, state-chartered workers' compensation insurance company.
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Department of Commerce
University of Oregon Libraries
Workers’ Compensation – Oregon Division
A state agency that administers and regulates laws and rules that impact the participants in the Oregon
workers’ compensation system.
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