State Assistance
Most states have taken advantage of partial federal funding to form Small Business Technology Development Centers (SBTDC). These agencies are charged with providing management counseling, business plan development, loan and investor prospecting coaching, and other advisory services. Often these centers are based on a college or university campus.

Some states have a small business ombudsman's office, either attached to the governor's office or the state department of commerce. The ombudsman's role is to let government officials know of small business concerns and to assist small business people who get caught in the wheels of government.

Some states have also set up technology transfer centers. These centers attempt to convert university research into new businesses and jobs in the community. They sometimes have grants available to help small businesses commercialize (not develop) new products.

Local Assistance
Local universities and community colleges may have small business counseling programs. The best one to consider is where students from a marketing or other business class will develop marketing plans for your business, or research other issues for you at no cost. Your obligation is typically to help educate the students about small business operations and answer student questions.

A number of midsized and large cities have a special office for minority and women owned businesses. This office is supposed to help these types of businesses obtain city (and possibly county) government procurement contracts.