THE following organisations provide support for small business owners in the Free State.

Finance

Business Partners: Provides equity finance and loans, as well as mentoring, to business owners. Offices in Bethlehem, Bloemfontein and Kimberley. Contact (051) 447-8380.

Industrial Development Corporation (IDC): The IDC is a national development finance institution which provides large loans of a R1 million and above to businesses owners who are engaged in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism or mining. Contact (011) 269-3000.

Free State Development Corporation (FDC): Free State government-funded organisation that assists small businesses with loans, usually acting as a facilitator and partner with other DTI-organisations. It also provides after-care coaching and mentoring. Offices in: Bloemfontein, Witsieshoek and Botshabelo. Contact (051) 400-0800.

Khula's Thuso Mentorship Programme: Helps business owners to write a business plan and access a credit guarantee for a Khula loan. Contact (051) 430-0275.

Training

Free State Technikon Science Park: Provides technologically orientated small business owners with support, incubation and access to equipment. Contact (051) 507-3505.

Ekso: The Free State University's small business unit presents various courses aimed at small business and start-up owners. Contact (051) 401-2764.

Welkom Goldfields College: Offers affordable short business courses for business owners. (057) 395-1301.

Matjhabeng Industrial Park: A Welkom industrial park for small business owners who need support at reduced costs. Contact (057) 353-2065.

Free State government information and procurement SMME Directorate: Falls under the provincial department of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs; helps to refer business owners to service providers and is involved in business support workshops. Contact (051) 405-4212.

Regional SMME offices: These regional offices of the Free State government provide small businesses with tender advice, business support and referrals to loans. Contact Welkom (057) 357-5871, Bloemfontein (051) 447-7788, Trompsburg (051) 713-0559, Phuthaditjhaba/Qwa Qwa (058) 713-1965 and Sasolburg (051) 405-4212.