What Are BRCs?
Business Resource Centers, or BRCs, are one-stop locations for information, education and training designed to help entrepreneurs start, operate and grow their businesses. Typically BRCs operate under the direction of local U.S. Small Business Administration district offices. Private-sector cosponsors, Service Corps of Retired Executives volunteers, and representatives from local small business development centers, chambers of commerce and other educational- or business-related organizations assist in the operation of the centers and in providing services to clients.

How Can BRCs Help You?
The centers provide free on-site counseling, along with training courses and workshops. BRCs have resources for addressing a broad variety of business start-up and development issues. They can provide the tools and advice necessary to help you write a comprehensive business plan, evaluate and improve your marketing and sales techniques, diversify into new product and/or service areas, price your products, or explore exporting opportunities. The research tools and invaluable advice can help your new business get off the ground or help your existing business grow.

What Resources Are Offered?
BRCs provide the latest in high-tech hardware and software, database research capability, graphics and reference materials.

In addition, every BIC offers the following resources:

Software

• Microsoft Office 97: Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Publisher
• BIZ Forms
• JIAN software: Biz Plan, Publicity Builder, Employee Manual Builder, Agreement Builder, Loan Builder, Living Trust Builder, Marketing Builder and Safety Plan Builder

CD-ROM Titles

• Multimedia MBA - Small Business Edition
• Bureau of Census data: County Business Patterns; Economic Census; 1990 Census Population & Housing, Tape 3A; 1990 Census Summary, Tape 3B, Zip Codes; Statistical Abstract of the U.S. 1996 CD

Reference Materials

• Entrepreneur Group (reference library of over 200 individual start-up business manuals, including software disks containing spreadsheet templates, audiotapes and videotapes on specific industries)
• Upstart Publishing Small Business Reference Library (30 titles)
• Oasis Press Small Business Reference Library, including : Starting a Business in... (each state and DC), and 29 other reference books
• Inc. Business Resource Library (reference books and how-to manuals)
• SBA Business Management Library (42 publications)

Videotapes

• The SBA/Bell Atlantic Success Series: The Business Plan: Your Roadmap to Success; Marketing: Winning Customers with a Workable Plan; Promotion: Solving the Puzzle; and Home Based Business: A Winning Blueprint
• Basics of Exporting (Bank of Boston and the SBA)
• Inc. Business Resource Library