November 7, 2024
Employers Win Round on Internet Information
By Sam Larson Vice President, Government Affairs The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) last week agreed with a…
Read MoreAssociated Industries of Massachusetts has finalized a strategic alliance with the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide advice and services to small companies throughout the commonwealth.
The alliance will allow AIM to connect its several thousand small-business members with SBA’s Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and Service Corp. of Retired Executive (SCORE). The two organizations will also provide speakers for one another’s events and AIM will host SBA training programs at AIM offices.
“Working with SBA will allow AIM to expand the suite of human-resource and management services the association already provides to small business in Massachusetts. SBA’s ability to provide financial, contractual and business-development assistance will give companies a full range of services to chart a path to success,” said Brooke Thomson, President and CEO of AIM.
SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s primary resource and voice for small businesses. The agency provides SBA-guaranteed loans for business purposes, including operating capital, long-term fixed assets, and seasonal financing. SBA loans can have competitive terms, low down payments, and no collateral required for some loans.
SBA also offers free business counseling from experts and partnering organizations.
AIM provides direct management, HR and employment-law services to Massachusetts employers, including scores of small businesses. The association also maintains a vibrant supplier diversity initiative called AIM Business Connect that matches mostly small companies owned or managed by women, people of color, veterans and LGBTQ people with fellow AIM members seeking to diversify their supply spend.
A signing ceremony for the new alliance will be conducted in the near future.