The Greater Gardner CDC is the "Guidance Department for Entrepreneurs!" We offer workshops and seminars, resources for business financing, and technical assistance from experts in their fields for owners of start-ups and micro-businesses. If you are wondering where to start, our friendly staff will talk with you about your idea for a business or your current business activities to determine the appropriate resource for your needs.

What is technical assistance?
Technical assistance provides services to increase your knowledge, develop your skills, or provide expertise to help strengthen or expand your business. Typical areas of technical assistance include the following: business planning, market strategies, personnel issues, web site design, legal assistance, accounting assistance, and training for you or your employees.

How do I qualify?
Grants to cover some of the cost of technical assistance are available to businesses, not to individuals. With the exception explained below, you must have established your business at least six months previously and have a goal of building it into a full-time, self-supporting entity. Depending upon the funding source, grant funds may be limited by number of employees (20 or fewer for one source, 50 or fewer for another source), and in some cases be grossing under $1 million annually and located in a qualifying geographic area. All businesses in the CDC's service area are geographically qualified as are most businesses in North Central Massachusetts. Most businesses served by the CDC employ fewer than 20 and gross under $500,000 annually. We assist many micro-business owners with five or fewer employees and gross annual incomes of under $250,000.

If your business has been established for under six months, you may qualify for technical assistance if you are applying for a loan through the CDC or have been referred by a business loan officer at a financial institution, the Small Business Development Center, or a member of the CDC's Business Assistance Committee.

How do I apply?
Call the Greater Gardner CDC at 978-630-2975. A staff member will take down basic information over the phone and either set up an appointment or send you an application.
Technical assistance must be pre-approved..

Education
For anyone thinking about going into business, the GGCDC offers a free "Nuts and Bolts for Entrepreneurs" seminar every 8 to 10 weeks.

The GGCDC also offers classes and seminars for reasonable fees. We limit the number of participants to enable us to answer your questions and address individual needs; and for your convenience, we schedule multiple-session classes over a short period of time. For upcoming dates call 978-630-2975 to register, to be added to our mailing list, or to find out more information.

Classes for software programs (limited to 8 participants)
		QuickBooks
		Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Publisher Businesses may schedule individualized trainings for their employees.
Seminars
		Landlord Rights and Responsibilities
		Legal Issues for Small Businesses
		Effective Marketing
		Accounting Issues for Small Businesses
Business Planning Incentive
		"Put Your Passion Into Action" is an intensive business-planning course, consisting of three 4-hour sessions, for people serious about opening or expanding a business. For an application and to schedule a phone interview, call 978-630-2975.