Municipal Services

AERN ( Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network)

 

The Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network (AERN) is a program to enhance business development

throughout rural Alabama . AERN is directed through the University of Alabama ’s Culverhouse College of

Commerce and Business Administration in partnership with agencies in rural counties.

It provides centers all over Alabama to help people get a business started and how to make a business plan.

 

AERN is located in the Collins Life Center

581 14th St. North

Guin, AL 35563

205-468-2082

 

• Helps you build your business plan FREE!
• There is no charge for AERN services.
• Call for an appointment in Guin at 205-468-2082

 

Each AERN center has the following resources available for you:

Computer

Printer

Business planning software

Set of specialized business reference books

Someone who will help you

AERN Centers also provide you with

Seminars with experts who discuss:

- Steps to take when starting your own business

- Industry and economic profiles of your county

- Useful Internet sites and links to becoming an entrepreneur

- Checklists one needs to have when opening a business

Access to the University of Alabama ’s business library resources and business researchers

 

The program has three components.

 

Toolkit of Resources. One is to provide computers and peripheral equipment, business software, and

other business research resources to chambers of commerce, industrial development agencies, or other

nonprofit organizations whose mission includes business development in very rural, low income portions

of Alabama .

 

Each AERN Center has these resources for use by local entrepreneurs:

• A computer, printer, and specialized business planning software
• A set of specialized business reference books
• Someone who will help you.
• Partner organizations make the resources available to the public to encourage potential entrepreneurs to start a business, to expand an existing small business, or for other economic development work in the target area.

 

Training. The second component is a strong training emphasis. The staffs of the partner agencies

receive training in how to use the materials and how to help their local constituencies. And periodically

the public is offered seminars and workshops.

- Learn the steps to take when starting your own business

- Find industry and economic profiles of your county

- Use the Internet effectively in conducting and researching business

 

Website. The third component is the AERN website. Many online resources are easily accessible there and the site is designed for ease of use by the lay public.

From the website you can:

• Submit questions to the librarians at the Angelo Bruno Business Library at The University of Alabama
• Locate pointers to useful business information on the World Wide Web
• Learn more about who we are, what services we offer, and how we can help you.
• Visit our AERN website at http://aern.cba.ua.edu
• Ask a librarian! Get personal answers from the librarians at the Angelo Bruno Business Library at the University of Alabama .
• View guides to the AERN resources, along with pointers to finding good information resources on the internet.

Let the Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network (AERN) work for you!

 

AERN Program Directors

 

Ms. Annette Watters

205.348.6191

Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration

The University of Alabama

Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute

 

Mr. Paavo Hanninen

205.348.7011

Small Business Development Center

 

Outreach Coordinator

Ms. Adelaide Wood

205.348.2943

Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network