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Starting a small business in Alabama? You're not alone—our trusted partners are here to support you every step of the way.

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and APEX Accelerator are committed to helping small businesses thrive through comprehensive business counseling and training.

UAH SBDC offers extensive online training as well as government contracting counseling.

The SBDC maintains strong partnerships with area chambers of commerce to provide business services to the small business community. Counselors, on a monthly fixed schedule, visit the chambers to make SBDC services readily available. Counseling is free and confidential. hosts JSU SBDC monthly.

Starting a business is challenging, and securing the funding to launch and grow your venture can be even more difficult. However, with careful planning and the right resources, success is within reach. Explore the valuable resources below to help you get started.

• - SBA VERY limited primarily woman owned and veterans.

• TARCOG has partnered with Neighborhood Concepts, Incorporated to administer our Revolving Loan Fund through the North Alabama Revolving Loan Fund, LLC.

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  The Loan Fund provides loans ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 to small businesses and non-profit organizations in north Alabama. Eligible uses include machinery & equipment; working capital; leasehold improvements; real estate acquisitions or rehab; business acquisitions, and the refinance of higher-interest business debt.

When starting a business, knowing where to find local support is essential. If you're planning to rent or purchase a building, your first stop should be the local zoning and ordinance department, typically located at City Hall. They can also guide you through obtaining a business license.

Joining your local Chamber of Commerce is a small investment that can yield significant benefits, providing networking opportunities and connections with key influencers in your community.

Below are valuable contacts for business resources in DeKalb and Jackson Counties.

DeKalb County


Henagar Chamber of Commerce -Ìý256-657-6282



Jackson County

NACC E-Center & UAB Barefield Entrepreneurship Program
Entrepreneurship Video Series

What if entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting businesses—but seeing the world differently?

In this thought-provoking video, Dr. Patrick J. Murphy, Director of the UAB Barefield Entrepreneurship Program, and his students explore entrepreneurship as a mindset through the Heptalogical model—a powerful framework for storytelling and entrepreneurial thinking.

1. The Problem:
Most people think entrepreneurship is only for business majors or Silicon Valley founders. But what if it's actually a way of thinking that anyone can use?

2. The Character:
Meet a group of college students and Dr. Patrick Murphy—an entrepreneurial educator on a mission to shift this mindset.

3. The Worldview:
Using the Heptalogical model, they dive into how stories—and startups—are built by recognizing problems, stepping into tension, and driving change.

4. The Catalyst:
Enter Unclaimed Baggage—a real-world Alabama business that transformed an overlooked problem (lost luggage) into a thriving company, by applying an entrepreneurial lens to an unusual opportunity.

5. The Shift:
As the students study the model and real-world examples, they start to see how anyone can develop entrepreneurial habits—curiosity, grit, creativity, and value creation.

6. The Transformation:
They discover that entrepreneurship is not just launching a startup, it’s solving problems with intention and vision.

Ìý7. The Call to Action:
Watch, learn, and begin your own entrepreneurial journey—no matter your background.

Think you're ready to pitch your big idea? Think again.

The UAB Barefield Entrepreneurship Program presents their own spin on Shark Tank—highlighting the do’s and don’ts of pitching to investors, customers, and even judges in business competitions.

What makes a pitch stand out? What mistakes instantly turn people off?
In this interactive and entertaining session, students and faculty illustrate what characteristics are required of entrepreneurs.Ìý

Presented by:
UAB Barefield Entrepreneurship Program – where students don’t just study business; they practice entrepreneurship.

Want to level up your pitch game? Watch now and take notes.

Think networking starts in college? Think again.
Students from the UAB Barefield Entrepreneurship Program share why building relationships as early as high school can be a game-changer for aspiring entrepreneurs.

In this candid conversation, they discuss:

• Why networking isn’t just for professionals

• How high school connections can lead to unexpected opportunities

• Real stories of students who turned early relationships into internships, mentors, and startup partners

• Simple steps you can take now to grow your network with purpose

Whether you're a student, educator, or young entrepreneur, this video shows how your network can become your net worth—even before you graduate.

Presented by:
UAB Barefield Entrepreneurship Program – empowering students to think, act, and grow like entrepreneurs from day one.