Small Business Resources

The City of Dubuque Economic Development Department can help connect you to any of the partners listed.

Economic Development Department Contacts:

New Businesses

Thinking of starting a new business?  Fill out this form to provide the City with some basic information.

Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS)

  • The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) is part of the College of Engineering and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR) at Iowa State University. Since 1963, CIRAS has partnered with Iowa companies and communities to help them prosper and grow. CIRAS aims to improve the profitability of businesses through: Customizable services are rooted in applied research and established best practices. Our approach ensures we deliver a service that is specific to every business. We focus on making the improvement stick and support clients even after a project ends. 

  • Over the past five years, CIRAS and its partners have reported impact from companies totaling more than $2.8 billion and over 33,900 jobs created or retained as a result of the assistance they received.

  • Julie Fagle, APEX Government Contract Specialist: jafagle@iastate.edu, 319-310-8612

Northeast Iowa Community College

  • 563-562-3263, conted@nicc.edu 
  • NICC Business & Community Solutions connects businesses with training, talent, and resources to grow and succeed.  NICC Small Business Development Center offers business planning, business fundamentals and information on starting a business.

Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce

  • A membership organization that advocates to further the interests of the local business community. We help our members succeed and prosper providing opportunities to create commerce, leadership/professional development programs, education programs, networking and business connection opportunities, marketing and promotional resources and advocacy efforts to build a robust business climate.
  • Molly Grover, President & CEO: mgrover@dubuquechamber.com, 563-557-9200

 Dubuque Main Street

  • Database of available commercial space in downtown; architectural design assistance at no cost; storefront layout advice; signage consulting; virtual small business coaching; advocacy & research; micro-recruiting.
  • David Barba, Executive Director, dbarba@dubuquemainstreet.org, 563-588-4400 or 563-451-2695

East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA)

  • ECIA Business Growth, Inc. operates business loan programs including the SBA 504 program and several revolving loan funds (RLF). The RLFs include below market interest rates, filling financial gaps, and leveraging private sector funds. The minimum loan size is $25,000 and the maximum is $500,000.
  • Matt Specht, Co-Director of Community and Economic Development: mspecht@ecia.org, 563-690-5721

Greater Dubuque Development Corp.

  • Partners with Northeast Iowa Community College and The Small Business Development Center to assist small business needs. In addition, Greater Dubuque Development conducts approximately 50 InfoAction interviews with small businesses on an annual basis and is available for information and referrals as needed.
  • Rick Dickinson, President & CEO: rickd@greaterdubuque.org, 563-557-9049

The Innovation Lab

  • The Innovation Lab is a network of coworking spaces that foster innovation & entrepreneurship in Eastern Iowa. Every Innovation Lab offers coworking space, innovation services, meeting space, and team building activities. Everything we do helps businesses launch, grow, and remain competitive.
  • Eric Dregne, Innovation Lab Director: hello@innovationlab.us

Iowa Department of Revenue

Iowa Economic Development Authority

  • Variety of resources for starting and growing a business. Links to webinars, classes, blog posts, business license information, newsletter, links to over 360 resource providers based on area of assistance, specific need, business stage, industry, and location.
  • Iowa Economic Development Authority Website

Iowa Micro Loan

  • Loans of $5,000 – $50,000 for start-up, expansion, and refinancing of small business entrepreneurs, a technical assistance plan of work tailored to the needs of your business, and a technical assistance grant up to $250 per client, per year, to assist in the cost of accessing other technical assistance resources. 
  • Iowa Micro Loan Website

  • Jeff Williams, President: jwilliams@iowamicroloan.org, 515-212-0182 or 515-554-9319

Iowa Venture School

  • Think you have a great business idea? Or maybe you’re wondering why your business isn’t taking off the way you expected? You’re in the right place. Venture School is Iowa’s leading hands-on entrepreneurial training program designed to help you find out what really works. With locations across Iowa, VS gives you the tools, guidance, and confidence to refine your business model and make smart decisions about your next steps. Discover whether to pivot, adjust, or grow — all while building the foundation for lasting success.
  • Apply Here: www.venture-school.com
  • Shannon Henderson (shannon-henderson@uiowa.edu)

Key City Creative Center

  • Workspace (woodshop, metal shop, arts and crafts room along with CNC technology to help entrepreneurs create their products), collaboration, the new Dupaco Biz Hub (clean quiet workspace with computers, software, etc.). Also offers entrepreneur workshops and have worked with people on their business plan, building ownership, etc.
  • Brian Graham, 563-663-0502
  • Eric Ethier, 563-564-7493

Loras College

  • Students connect with the community as part of their classes and can assist businesses; potential for research projects or client consulting projects through classes (includes Marketing and Data Analytics), potential for student interns.
  • Valerie Bell, Associate Professor, Criminal Justice: valerie.bell@loras.edu, (563) 588-7757
  • Jim Padilla, Dean of the School of Business: james.padilla@loras.edu, (563) 588-7405

Small Business Administration (SBA)

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit the SBA website.
  • Jo Eckert, Branch Manager, Iowa District Office/Cedar Rapids Branch: jo.eckert@sba.gov, 319-362-6535

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

SCORE

  • SCORE East Central Iowa has about 80 mentors and SCORE IOWA has about 200 mentors available to assist Iowa entrepreneurs at all stages of their development. Nationally, SCORE has 10,000 mentors that could be connected if needed. SCORE works closely with the SBA and local resource partners. Minority entrepreneur resources are available on the SCORE website.

University of Dubuque

  • Staff can help consult in the areas of marketing, finance, and accounting.

    Rafic Sinno, Business and Accounting Department Chair: RSinno@dbq.edu, 563.589.3193