Start a Business

As a part of the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce's service to small and entrepreneurial businesses, the following list of web sites provides key information and data needed for businesses to relocate and expand in the Craven County area. The resources and contacts listed offer valuable support to entrepreneurs wishing to turn dreams into profitable companies. Please be advised this list provides general information and is not intended as legal advice.

Starting Out - Various Resources

U.S. Small Business Administration provides materials and support for the small business owner on taxes and other issues. The SBA also offers information on lending institutions in North Carolina. The SBA can be reached at (800) 827-5722. The site for the US Small Business Administration offers on-line free classes, newsletters, resources, and chats.

Small Business Center.  The objective of the Small Business Center at Craven Community College is to increase the success rate and the number of viable small businesses in Craven County. 

The Small Business Center provides free Confidential counseling services for individuals wishing to start a business. It also provides counseling for small business owners who needs some type of assistance. Do you have a business dream to fulfill or a business problem you need help solving? Then put our team to the test! Start today!

The Small Business Center provides free computer and internet access and a variety of small business resources, including specialized software and multimedia tools, along with small business books, magazines and government resources.

The Craven 100 Alliance -In 2014, the Committee of 100, Craven County, and the cities of New Bern and Havelock came together to form the Craven 100 Alliance, a public-private economic development partnership. Under this new organization, the four partners will now collaborate on long-term planning and set the direction for economic development in Craven County along with local stakeholders in each facet of economic development.

The Craven 100 Alliance will build on the efforts and success of the groups that preceded it, while forging stronger relationships with strategic partners in order to fully leverage their broad range of resources. When we are successful, Craven County benefits from increased job openings, improved tax revenues, and a secure population.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions. It includes hundreds of associations, thousands of local chambers, and 106 American Chambers of Commerce in 94 countries. Note: Certain access requires membership.

www.ncchamber.net – A non-partisan business advocacy organization working in the legislative, regulatory, and political arenas to proactively drive positive change to ensure that North Carolina is a leading place in the world to do business. Note: Certain access requires membership. NC Chamber may be reached at (919) 836-1400.

North Carolina Department of Commerce site. Resources include information for NC businesses and workforce development. Included on this web site is data on various items of interest to businesses in NC. The link for information on opening your business in North Carolina is: http://www.nccommerce.com/en/BusinessServices/LocateYourBusiness/. The NC Commerce Department also has a Business ServiCenter toll free number for business owners to get one-on-one phone consultations at 800-228-8443.

NC Institute of Minority Economic Development has a division known as the Women’s Business Center of North Carolina and includes information on developing minority-owned businesses and on the minority buying power and economic impact in NC. NCIMED may be reached at (919) 956-8889.

Small Business and Technology Development Center at Eastern Carolina University provides management and technical assistance for small businesses. SBTDC at ECU may be contacted at (252) 737-1385.

Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board, Inc. specializes in assisting employers in finding trained job applicants and assisting job seekers in finding the right jobs matching their qualifications. Follow this link to their Links and Resources page for a comprehensive ldevelopment issuesisting of links to private sector, nonprofit human resources associations, nonprofit professional associations, and national, state, and local web sites involved in workforce.

The Neuse River Development Authority, part of the Eastern Carolina Council of Governments, offers information and advice on financing a new business, referrals for management issues, and technical assistance to business owners. NRDA may be reached at (252) 638-6724.

Craven County Economic Development Services  Our offices are located in downtown New Bern at 406 Craven Street.  For more information, contact Timothy Downs, Executive Director of the Craven County Economic Development Commission at (252) 633-5300.  Go to http://www.cravenbusiness.com/ for more information.

City of New Bern's Department of Development Services Our offices are located at 303 First Street. Our primary focus is providing assistance to the community in developing plans, ordinances, implementing projects, and administering codes that produce orderly growth while maintaining community character and New Bern’s small town charm.

Explore New Bern's Commercial Real Estate & Economic Development Website. Citizen volunteers are important to this Department’s mission. Our staff provides support to five citizen boards, Planning and Zoning Board, Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission, Neuse River Community Development Corporation, the Greater Duffyfield Residents Council. If you are interested in volunteering or have questions and comments, please contact Cindy Blot in Development Services at 252-639-7581 or go to:  http://www.newbern-nc.org/departments/development/.