Small businesses are vital to Kentucky’s economy. More than 90 percent of the businesses in the
Commonwealth have fewer than 50 employees. A variety of services and programs exist to assist small
businesses, from early start-up to later stages of growth. Many valuable services are provided directly
by the Economic Development Cabinet, but you will also find valuable links to service providers all around
Kentucky.
Direct Services
The Small Business Services Division offers these direct services to Kentucky businesses:
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Small & Minority Business – provides initial start-up and growth information to small businesses.
Examples include information on starting
or buying a business, operating an
online business, developing a
business plan, getting your business
certified and Kentucky Business Finder
registration assistance. This area is also a contact point to learn more about topics such as business
funding, buying into a franchise,
financial statements
and business incubators.
For additional information or assistance, please email cedsbsd@ky.gov
or call 800-626-2250.
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Business Information Clearinghouse – provides information on the proper
permits and licenses needed to do business in Kentucky. The
Clearinghouse maintains the Kentucky Business Guide, a
handbook for starting and licensing your business in Kentucky. For additional information or assistance,
please email cedsbsd@ky.gov or call 800-626-2250.
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Kentucky Procurement Assistance – helps businesses understand how to do business with federal, state
and local government agencies. This program maintains an online
Guide to Government Contracting and provides one-on-one
consulting and group training on issues related to
government contracting. In addition, they offer an automated
bid match system that provides targeted government marketing leads to registered businesses. For
additional information or assistance, please email ced.kpap@ky.gov
or call 800-838-3266.
Advocacy
The Kentucky Commission on Small Business Advocacy exists to
provide linkages between the small business community and public policy in the Commonwealth. The
Commission reviews proposed new regulations for impacts on small business and serves as a resource on
policy issues affecting the interests of small business. For more information or assistance, please
email Ken.Robinson@ky.gov or call 877-355-3822.
For assistance with regulatory matters of this Cabinet concerning small businesses, please contact the
Small Business Ombudsman.
Referral Services
A variety of service providers across the Commonwealth serve small businesses with direct counseling and
financing services. To locate these service providers closest to your business location, use the
Entrepreneur Resource Navigator. By entering your business
location by county, ERN will provide linkages to nearby services.