The City of Charlotte Small Business Opportunity (SBO) Program offers a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification for eligible businesses in the Charlotte Regional Area. The SBO Program seeks to enhance competition in City contracting and to promote small business economic growth. SBE certification is not required to bid on City projects. However, SBE certification does place your firm in a smaller biding pool and grants access to SBO development programs. There are numerous benefits to SBE certification including: 1. Company information added to Citywide vendor list 2. Increased notification of contracting opportunities 3. Orientation on how to do business with the City 4. Networking events and opportunities (refer to attached Advance Your Business workshop calendar) 5. Business and technical assistance 6. Access to SBO Development Programs (free monthly workshops, free courses at CPCC, & professional association sponsorships) For more information about the SBO Program, please click here. www.dtiassociates.com/FBCI - This site has useful information from the previous Presidential administration because of the grant information contained within left tab. www.linkedin.com - A professional networking site. www.sba.gov - Small Business Administration website-contains tutorials, loan program information and SBA regional office directories. The Mecklenburg county main library has an Small Business section on the 2nd floor which contains resource materials such as business plans, business tax forms and other research materials available. SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) a resource partner with the SBA, representative is present within the main library. Office hours: Tuesdays: 10am - 3pm 2nd and 4th Mondays from 10am - 3pm         Contact information:  Patrick Rega 704-344-6576 Also the main library has acquired the resources from the Duke endowment -business and grant resource extensive collection. Contact: Lydia Towery 704-416-0104 for a tour of the electronic and paper materials.