The San Diego County Water Authority’s Small Contractor Outreach and Opportunity Program (SCOOP) is providing the below information to the small business community as a listing of resources for obtaining assistance and guidance on topics including bonding, credit repair, financing, loans, and insurance. SCOOP is not able to endorse or validate the information contained on the below external websites.
Bonding Resources
Resource |
Organization | Website |
| Surety Information Office The Surety Information Office (SIO) is the information source on contract surety bonds in public and private construction. SIO offers complimentary brochures and CDs and can provide speakers, write articles, and answer questions on contract surety bonds. |
National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP) and The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) | More Information |
| SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) program can guarantee bid, performance and payment bonds for individual contracts of $2 million or less for small and emerging contractors who cannot obtain surety bonds through regular commercial channels. |
U.S. Small Business Administration | More Information |
| Surety Bonds Explained A website resource that explains surety bonds and describes the three type of surety bonds typically required for public works contracting. |
U.S. Small Business Administration | More Information |
Insurance Resources
| Resource | Organization | Website |
| SBA Insurance Resources A website resource that explains business insurance, types of business insurance, tips for buying insurance, and insurance requirements for businesses with employees. |
U.S. Small Business Administration | More information |
| Insure U for Small Business A website resource with helpful information, tips and considerations about insurance for owners of small companies and home-based businesses. |
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) | More Information |
Financing and Loan Resources
| Resource | Organization | Website |
| Accion ACCION San Diego is a non-profit organization striving to bring economic opportunity to small business owners in San Diego County. By providing small business loans and support to entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional forms of credit, our goal is to help them create their dreams, provide for their families and contribute to their communities. |
Accion San Diego | More Information |
| CDC Small Business Finance CDC Small Business Finance is committed to helping small businesses grow throughout California, Arizona and Nevada. In over 30 years CDC has provided more than $8 billion in SBA-504 loans and other funding, resulting in more than 100,000 jobs. |
CDC Small Business Finance | More Information |
| SBA Loan Programs SBA offers a variety of loan programs for small businesses. The eligibility requirements may differ for each loan program. Learn more by visiting the SBA’s website. |
U.S. Small Business Administration | More Information |
| City of San Diego Small Business Loans The San Diego Regional Revolving Loan Fund (SDRRLF) and Small Business Micro Revolving Loan Fund (SBMRLF) offer financial assistance to small to mid-size business owners with expanding businesses that require capital, but are unable to meet the terms of traditional banks. The Revolving Loan funds can supplement private financing of new or rehabilitated buildings, fixed machinery and equipment, working capital and soft costs. |
City of San Diego Business Finance | More Information |
| Small Business Development Center – National City The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides technical assistance to clients seeking business loans. This can include help filling out a loan application or assistance reviewing a business plan or financial projections. |
Small Business Development Center – National City | More Information |
| Small Business Development Center – North County The Small Business Development Center in Oceanside provides technical assistance to clients seeking business loans. This can include help filling out a loan application or assistance reviewing a business plan or financial projections. |
Mira Costa College | More Information |
| SCORE SCORE counselors provide free and confidential business counseling to both prospective entrepreneurs and existing small business owners throughout San Diego County. The organization also provides technical assistance to clients seeking business loans. |
SCORE | More Information |
Credit Repair Resources
| Resource | Organization | Website |
| Credit Repair Counseling The Small Business Development Center in National City offers no-cost counseling services on the topic of credit repair. |
Small Business Development Center – National City | More Information |
| Credit Repair: How to Help Yourself A website resource that explains what you need to know regarding credit reporting and steps you can take to repair your credit. |
Federal Trade Commission | More Information |
| Springboard Springboard is a non-profit consumer credit management organization formed in 1974 by local business leaders and credit grantors. Their mission is to offer education on the wise use of credit and to serve as an alternative to bankruptcy. They also offer free one-on-one credit counseling. |
Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management | More Information |
| Money Management International MMI offers free credit and budget counseling to those who need help with budgeting, money management skills, and credit issues. You and your personal credit counselor will work together to assess your current financial situation, develop a realistic spending plan, establish achievable financial goals, and create a personal action plan for success. |
Money Management International (formerly Consumer Credit Counseling Service) | More Information |
