More Resources for Local Business

Big ideas

• The Institute for Local Self Reliance makes the case for the economic and community benefits of thinking local first. Among their seven initiatives are specific resources on Energy, Independent Business, and Waste to Wealth.
• The New Economics Institute puts forward new ideas, and brought together all the major leaders in the U.S. for the first-ever New Economy Week in October 2013.
• The American Sustainable Business Council works on a national level to advance public policies that ensure a vibrant, just and sustainable economy. 
• Don't forget to see our Key Studies to learn more about the economic research on locally owned, independent businesses.

For Seacoast-based free and/or low-cost business development and technical assistance, check out these organizations:

• SBDC - The Small Business Development Center offers business consulting services, training sessions, and business information, such as start-up and cash-flow planning. Their Seacoast Regional Office is in downtown Dover. 
• NH-ICC - New Hampshire Innovation and Commercialization Center, located in Portsmouth, works in partnership with the University of New Hampshire to accelerate the development of early-stage scalable companies and to commercialize UNH intellectual capital.   
• Chambers of commerce - There are six chambers of commerce on the Seacoast. Find them in Dover, Hampton, Exeter, Portsmouth, Rochester and Somersworth. Together, as the Seacoast Chamber Alliance, they also collaborate on the annual Seacoast Business Expo.
• SCORE -  The local chapter of this national non-profit organization  offers free mentoring, workshops, templates and tools. Their Seacoast program is located in Portsmouth. 
• Alpha Loft - A co-working space in Portsmouth that has evolved to offer meet-up and education events bringing together the tech and start-up community, including Seacoast Forward, a week of entrepreneurial events co-sponsored by Seacoast Local and others in October 2013.