The Department of Economic Development can offer individual counseling and technical assistance for women and minority-owned businesses in Suffolk County.

In addition, the department can provide access to the following programs:

• Women & Minorities Pre-Qualification Loan -- Enables the SBA to pre- qualify loan guarantees for women and minority business owners before they approach lenders.
• Long Island Small Business Assistance Corporation - This group, which is affiliated with LIDC, can provide small loans from $2,000 to $10,000 to women-owned businesses tied to intensive technical assistance. For more information, go to: www.lidc.org or call (516) 349-7800.
• Women Business Enterprise Coalition / Suffolk County Coalition of Minority Businesses - These groups were established by the Suffolk County Office of Multicultural Affairs and Community Engagement to guide women and minority owned businesses through the government procurement process and provide information about all available government purchasing opportunities. There are no annual dues or meeting fees required to participate in either group.
  
  To become a member of the Women Business Enterprise Coalition, a company must be 51% owned and operated by a woman or women. There are no restrictions on the type of business that can join. Each year the coalition prints a directory of its members, which is distributed to potential purchasing entities. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month. The Coalition also publishes a newsletter. For schedule and more information go to: SCWBEC
  
  Membership on the Suffolk County Women Business Enterprise Coalition and M/WBE requires minority stock ownership of at least 51%.  For more information go to: Office of Multicultural Affairs and Community Engagement or call (631) 853-4738.