Free Help for Clinton County Entrepreneurs: Where to Get Advice, Training and Funding Leads

Starting a business from home can feel like a solo act, but Clinton County entrepreneurs have more help available than most people realize, and much of it is free.

Illinois Small Business Development Center for the Metro East (SIUE)

The SBDC at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville serves a nine-county Metro East region that includes Clinton County. Its advisors provide confidential, no-cost help with business plans, financing, bank lending, marketing and more. It has also held community advising days at Kaskaskia College’s education centers. Phone: (618) 650-2929.

Kaskaskia College

Kaskaskia College offers workforce and community education classes and has education centers in the area, including Trenton. Short courses in bookkeeping, computer skills, food safety and trades can fill gaps quickly and cheaply.

University of Illinois Extension

Extension runs cottage food training and resources for people who want to sell homemade food, plus programs on farm business, gardening and money management.

Clinton County offices

• County Clerk (courthouse, Carlyle): assumed business name registration for sole proprietors and partnerships.
• Clinton County Health Department (991 Franklin St., Carlyle, 618-594-2723): cottage food registration and food questions.
• Zoning: your city or village hall, or the county zoning office if you live outside town limits.

State agencies

• Illinois Secretary of State: forming an LLC or corporation and filing annual reports.
• Illinois Department of Revenue (MyTax Illinois): sales tax registration and filing.
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity: the statewide SBDC network and business information line.

Your neighbors

Local chambers of commerce, business associations and established owners are often the best advisors of all. Ask someone who has done it.

Know a resource we missed, or have a business story to share? Tell us.