Business Assistance

Professional Guidance and Support to New and Existing Businesses

Get started with the Franklin County CDC! Click here for links to start the process and to register for our information sessions.

Business Planning: A Strong Foundation for Success

Writing a business plan helps you to understand every component of your business from communicating your ideas and building a framework for decision-making and management. It serves as a reminder of your goals and for tracking the business’s performance.

The plan is a tool to articulate:

investment needs
capital assets
business partnerships
customer loyalty

Business Planning Toolkit

Free Training and Business Counseling Resources

Business Training and Business Counseling is available from a variety of organizations and consultants:

Western Mass Means Business

Valley CDC, Northampton MA

Hilltown CDC, Chesterfield, MA

Quaboag Valley CDC, Ware MA

MA Small Business Development Network

SCORE Western MA

Greenfield Community College

Local Business Associations

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce

North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce

Shelburne Falls Area Business Association

Greenfield Business Association

Montague Business Association

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network – to make an appointment with an MSBDC counselor in:

Franklin County, contact the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce at 413-773-5463
Berkshire County, contact MSBDC Berkshire Regional Office at 413-499-0933
Hampden County, contact MSBDC Western MA Regional Office at 413-577-1768
Hampshire County, contact Northampton Chamber of Commerce at 413-584-1900

Fee-based Business Counseling Services

Before seeking fee-based services from business consultants, accountants, lawyers, or CPAs:

Ask several people you respect for a referral – obtain at least two to three choices
Set up informational interviews to determine compatibility and if expertise fits your need
Once you have selected the industry expert:
- Make a plan for the project
- Determine what you can do to prepare for your meetings (being prepared will lower your cost)
- Agree to a fee for service and time needed to complete the work.