NEW WEB RESOURCE CREATED FOR BUSINESSES

Cabinet for Economic Development Adds Entrepreneur Resource Navigator (ERN) to Website

FRANKFORT, KY – Kentucky entrepreneurs have a major new Internet resource to help them plan, launch and expand businesses. The Entrepreneur Resource Navigator (ERN) has been added to the website of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (KCED). "The ERN is an Interactive tool that allows business people to plug in their home county and the Navigator will locate the closest service provider where they can get face-to-face help for their small business needs," said J.R. Wilhite, Commissioner of the Department for Community Development with KCED.

In addition to identifying the nearest available resources, the ERN also provides information and links to help provided by State and Federal governments. Available resources include counseling and training, micro-loan programs, small business development centers, university-based business programs, area development districts and funding sources. "We've seen a continuing increase in the demand for information related to small business," said Wilhite. "Business owners are hungry for information and they are increasingly turning to the Internet."

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses in Kentucky employed 740,203 workers or just over half the total private sector workforce (1999). The Entrepreneur Resource Navigator is available at

http://www.ced.ky.gov/smbd/ern.asp

This ERN is a project of KCED's Small and Minority Business Division (SMBD). The primary mission of the SMBD is to provide information and make appropriate referrals to potential and existing entrepreneurs. For years the SMBD has made information available to these individuals and has referred them to the appropriate Small Business Development Center (SBDC). "SBDCs provide outstanding services, as does our own Small and Minority Business Division" said Wilhite, "but we want to make sure that entrepreneurs are aware of all available resources within their immediate area."

In addition to the Kentucky Small Business Development Center Central Office, many individuals provided invaluable information and assistance in developing the ERN, according to Norris Christian, Director of SMBD. "This project is an example of the Small and Minority Business Division's ongoing efforts to create an environment to encourage and promote small and minority enterprises in Kentucky, " he said. "As we continue to look to the future, we must explore new opportunities for small and minority business growth. It's part of making sure that Kentuckians have access to good-paying jobs, and our communities benefit from a good base of businesses that are under local control."

KCED's www.ced.ky.gov website was recently rated as a "Top Ten Economic Development Website" in the March, 2003 issue of Area Development magazine.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency in Kentucky responsible for creating new jobs and new investment in the state. New business investment in Kentucky in 2002 totaled more than $3.2 billion with the creation of nearly 13,000 new jobs. Information on available development sites, workforce training, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other resources is available at http://www.thinkkentucky.com.