Government Debuts Free Small-Firm Consultant

By Sharon McLoone of MainStreet.com

WASHINGTON (TheStreet) -- The Commerce Department is working to find new ways to help small businesses and entrepreneurs find new markets for their products by revamping its counseling programs, financing tools and other assistance.

U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke says the agency plans to create "one-stop shop" business advocacy centers across the nation to help small firms get the best government help that they can. The centers will operate as central contact points for every Commerce program available to business owners.

Small businesses are so overwhelmed with issues like trying to meet payroll that they can't be expected to have a consultant on board to navigate all the government's services and programs. He made the comments after a Thursday speech at the Minority Enterprise Development Conference in Washington.

The first center opens in Detroit shortly and, if it's successful, there are plans to roll out other centers across the U.S. in the department's 1,200 branch offices.

At a speech before the Detroit Economic Club last month, Locke said: "In the few short months I've been at Commerce, I've already noticed a serious shortcoming with our resources. I've seen how hard it can be for businesses to tap into them...It's not surprising that entrepreneurs and business owner can find it a bit confusing."

There are 12 agencies and bureaus housed under the Commerce umbrella, many of which offer different small-business programs. For example, the Minority Business Development Agency, International Trade Administration and the Patent and Trademark Office are all part of Commerce offering small-business resources.