SCORE for Rural Entrepreneurs

Rural small businesses dominate over businesses with 500 employees or more at 42% of the job share market within their population area. With the population declining in rural areas, rural small businesses struggle to hire employees, grow, and maintain their customer numbers

Shelby Edward Meyer of Superior Screening Services Inc.

SCORE is dedicated to helping Rural entrepreneurs achieve their business goals.

With SCORE resources and free mentoring services at your fingertips, we can help you overcome any business challenge along the way. We offer personal, expert mentorship to small business owners in rural communities and provide free business training, both in-person and virtually. We also offer informative business resources that focus on helping you grow your business while maintaining your rural roots.

"Our Mentor is hands down a class act. He has shared several ideas, thoughts, and advice that has helped shape this company into what it is."

Read about Shelby's Success

Rural Entrepreneur's lack fast internet connection
Promoting Rural Entrepreneurship and Rural Economic Development

Rural small businesses are smaller and grow more slowly
Rural Small Businesses Earn Better Profits and More Financing vs. City Ones

Loan value to rural entrepreneurs have declined by more than half
Promoting Rural Entrepreneurship and Rural Economic Development

Get free business advice from experienced mentors

SCORE business mentors can help you start, grow, or transition your business. Enter your zip code above to get matched with a business expert near you!

SCORE Volunteer Mentor

Hugh J MacMaster

"I've been mentoring clients for 13 years and it's always an honor to help individuals with a true entrepreneurial spirit reach their dream of owning a small business. Working with these clients is the exactly why I joined SCORE."

Rural Entrepreneurs Who Turned to SCORE as a Partner in Their Success

With SCORE by your side, you don't have to go it alone. SCORE has helped countless rural entrepreneurs find success in their small businesses. See how SCORE has helped some of the small business owners start and grow their small businesses. Yours could be the next success story!

Touright Bicycle Shop

Touright Bicycle Shop sells bicycles, offers repairs, hosts group rides, and offers how-to clinics for cyclists of all levels. The shop is known for the friendly atmosphere it fosters in their small town. SCORE guided them to better cash flow and a sustainable business model.

UAS (United Agricultural Services) of America

This Company is owned and operated by a family that was once big tobacco farmers in Canada and who later migrated to the U.S. to start an organic fertilizer manufacturing business. The formulas for their products were developed by the family and are sold under the trademark of CropMaster. They also manufacture standard and special blends for distributors under numerous private labels; labels UAS designs, prints and sells at a profit to their distributors and agents. One source of new revenue is the manufacturing, sales, and distribution of a foam product that is sprayed on fruit and citrus to

Town and Country Quilt Shop's success with SCORE

Our mission is to create a warm, inviting environment where makers can feel at home, learn new skills, and find the tools they need to make quilts and other sewn items.

Resources for Rural Entrepreneurs

Check out resources created especially for rural business owners.

Businessman signed a contract agreement to invest together

Best Legal Entities for Rural Entrepreneurs

To ensure rural small business owners have all the facts regarding business structure, here is a quick guide to what entities are available for your rural business and how each can protect you from future legal nightmares.

12 Funding Options for Rural Entrepreneurs

From crowdfunding to state trade expansion programs, there are several funding options for rural entrepreneurs

Two female farmers are sitting on a tractor trailer on haystacks and working on a laptop together. Smart farming.

11 Resources To Help Rural Entrepreneurs Succeed

From applying for grants to researching local economic development organizations, there are several resources to help rural entrepreneurs succeed.

See all Rural Entrepreneur Resources

SCORE Volunteer Mentor

Kurt Hulliger

"Rural entrepreneurs have a longer-term outlook, influenced by the weather and the growth cycles of crops and animals. They are entrusted with improving the land to guarantee healthful products for their customers. I enjoy working over years with my clients and develop friendships that last."

Get involved and volunteer with SCORE

Support small businesses in your community. SCORE is looking for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to serve in a variety of roles — from knowledgeable business mentors to local community advocates.

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