NEW BUSINESS OWNERS

Here, you’ll find local and regional organizations dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs like you. Whether you need help with business planning, financing, historic preservation, expanding your home-based business, and more, these resources are here to assist you every step of the way. Explore the services available and take the next step toward success in Mercer County!

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  • Point of Contact:
    Darren Winsor
    309-235-5071
    darren@mcbettertogether.org
    www.mcbettertogether.org

    We work to make businesses aware of available financial and non-financial resources through the Business Finance Toolkit and one on one guidance.

  • Point of Contact:
    Darren Winsor
    309-235-5071
    darren@mcbettertogether.org
    www.mcbettertogether.org

    Sit down one on one with our Program Director to identify barriers to business success via a confidential survey and discuss the mitigation of those barriers via one on one tailored technical assistance.

  • Point of Contact:
    Tara McFarland
    815-201-4252
    tara@mcbettertogether.org
    www.mcbettertogether.org

    If your business has job openings, get help filling them by contacting our Creative Director. Have your job opening promoted in our weekly jobs list, available via email newsletter to hundreds of Mercer County residents. You can also make a request to have custom job flyers for open positions created by our Creative Director and promoted in the weekly jobs list.

  • Point of Contact:
    Darren Winsor
    309-235-5071
    darren@mcbettertogether.org
    www.mcbettertogether.org

    The Mercer County Career Center facilitates 'The Launchpad', an immersive, paid summer work experience program for high school juniors and seniors. The Launchpad links employers to potential future employees - high school students - and offers students something beyond a typical summer job by providing mentorship and a deeper understanding of a career they may be considering post-graduation.

  • Point of Contact:
    Darren Winsor
    309-235-5071
    darren@mcbettertogether.org
    www.mcbettertogether.org

    Discover available, shovel-ready, commercial properties across the county with in-depth information, available through Zoom Prospector on the MCBT website.

  • Point of Contact:
    Tara McFarland
    815-201-4252
    tara@mcbettertogether.org
    www.mcbettertogether.org

    For a nominal fee, we offer simple one-page websites designed and built by our Creative Director. If you are a local nonprofit or business who just needs a basic web presence, we can help.

  • Point of Contact
    Kayla Bustamante
    contact@visitmerco.com
    www.visitmerco.com

    Offering marketing through exposure on the Visit Merco website, social media and email channels. Marketing services are available for businesses through social media, website design, public relations, etc.; as a fee for service.

  • Point of Contact
    contact@visitmerco.com
    (309) 507-2687

    Visit MerCo is your go-to source for the latest tourism intel.  We provide crucial data on things like trending tourism activities, event attendance figures, key business development insights, and more.  This service offered by Visit MerCo can empower you to make informed business decisions and capitalize on opportunities based on our local tourism data.

BONUS SERVICES

  • Point of Contact:
    Frank Perez
    309-732-4024
    www.bridgeinvestmentcdc.org

    "Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation (Bridge Investment) is a mission-driven, non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) committed to helping small businesses and microenterprises by providing loan capital with flexible terms and rates to help them sustain and grow. Bridge Investment is a national non-profit, but focuses its work in the states of Iowa and Illinois within areas with the highest need. Loans outside of Iowa and Illinois will be considered on a case by case basis. Business applicants may be in the start-up phase, existing, or expanding.We are a CDFI. Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) are dedicated to delivering responsible lending opportunities. By putting community first, we offer fair and affordable loans and financial products that will facilitate your access to financial opportunities and success. CDFIs reach deep and lend where it counts."

  • Point of Contact:
    Ann Friederichs
    309-762-3999 ext 62243
    https://wiusbdc.org

    “The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Western Illinois University (IL SBDC WIU) and the Illinois International Trade Center provide FREE, confidential advising and training to help entrepreneurs and businesses start, grow, prepare to export, and sustain their businesses."

  • Point of Contact:
    1-800-634-0245
    www.score.org

    SCORE's mission: SCORE’s mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education., SCORE'S Vision: We aim to give every person the support they need to thrive as a small business owner. Mentorship, training, and an array of resources.

  • Point of Contact:
    Answer Desk
    1-800-827-5722
    https://www.sba.gov/

    “SBA works to ignite change and spark action so small businesses can confidently start, grow, expand, or recover."