Business Support

The core mission of the Center for Southeast Asians is to promote the prosperity, heritage, and leadership of Southeast Asians in Rhode Island. Over the years, the organization has expanded its programs to also serve other ethnic minority communities, including a sizable Latino community as well as new refugees and immigrants from other regions.

In addition to providing 6,900+ individuals each year with a wide range of direct services, which include job training and adult literacy programs, small business development, assistance to victims of crime, case management, public health outreach, ESL and citizenship classes, a nutrition program for seniors, free tax preparation services, food stamps outreach and enrollment, transitional housing, and health insurance navigation and enrollment, CSEA is engaged in advocacy and research to affect system change and inform public policy development.

Do you have legal questions about starting your business, acquiring land, entering into contracts, or other essential business matters? The Legal Food Hub Resource Library provides answers to common legal questions. If you’re in a hurry, check out our short Lightning Guides. If you have more time, explore our Legal Guides and recorded Webinars.

The RI Business Assistant is an interactive tool for business owners and non-profit members to create a customized checklist of professional licensing, legal requirements and support resources tailored to their specific industry needs.
The RI Business Assistant will create a customized checklist of required applications for licensing and registration, estimated costs and fees, laws and regulations, and support resources to help your business or non-profit thrive.
Who should use the RI Business Assistant?
– Aspiring Entrepreneurs
– Startups
– Existing Businesses Looking to Expand
– Out-of-State/Foreign Businesses
– Non-Profits

Are you ready to start or expand a business or do you need help with an existing business? Gather your questions and schedule a FREE interactive virtual appointment with the RI Department of State’s Business Services Division.

Appointments are offered every Tuesday and Thursday morning starting at 8:40AM. You will have the chance to sit down with a member of the Business Services staff to ask questions in a private, virtual one-on-one environment. Use your appointment time to ask questions about business registration, professional licensing, and state and local taxes, as well as help maintaining, reinstating, or closing an existing business.

Creating the support and resources our community deserves to build legal resilience, together.
Farm Commons provides legal workshops, timely resources, and a community for farmers, ranchers, and their service providers. Welcome to your home for farm law!

The Young Farmer Network of Southeastern New England is an organization of farmers based in Providence and serving the surrounding region, including farmers from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. We are a farmer-run network that works towards the viability of new farms by providing opportunities for education and advocacy, and strengthening the social and professional networks between farmers from all backgrounds and ages. Our mission is to support farmers developing socially, ecologically and economically sustainable farm businesses and happy lives by cultivating personal and professional relationships between people of all ages and backgrounds across state borders. At the heart of our programming is a strong social network which supports a resilient community. We aim to create agricultural community that is actively welcoming, and accessible to all people of every age, race, class, farm type, and ability. We encourage growth, development and diversity in all types of agriculture, including food, fiber, and forestry.

NOFA Rhode Island is an organization of farmers, gardeners and consumers working to promote organic farming and land care practices.
Formed in 1990, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island (NOFA/RI) is an organization of farmers, consumers, gardeners and environmentalists working to promote organic farming and land care practices. NOFA/RI fosters a healthy relationship to the natural world through farmer-to-farmer education, advocacy and technical assistance. We work to increase the acres of sustainably and organically managed land and to provide access to local, organic food for all Rhode Islanders. NOFA/RI is affiliated with other NOFA chapters through the NOFA Interstate Council.

The Carrot Project supports the financial viability of farm and food businesses by providing
information, training, skill-building, and access to capital within a comprehensive support
ecosystem. The Carrot Project's programs serve start-up, early-stage, expanding, and
established farm, food, and fishery businesses—from those accessing land for the first time to
those undergoing a farm transition. Services are free for most clients, with a cost-share for
those above asset or income guidelines.
Their services have a proven record of increasing farm profitability. The Carrot Project provides
personalized, one-on-one advising to help clients meet their business goals and improve long-
term viability. Nervous with numbers or have limited experience? Check out their website,
calendar, and newsletter to increase your financial know-how! Additionally, the organization
offers expert guidance in preparing loan or grant applications, securing loans and loan
guarantees, and identifying the most suitable forms of capital for your needs.

Land & Sea Together is building a network of services and opportunities to reduce stress for fisheries, forestry, and farming (FFF) enterprises, workers, and their families in Rhode Island.

Land & Sea Together is a USDA Grant funded program through RI-DEM and implemented by the Center for Mediation and Collaboration RI. We have pulled together over 25 different organizational partners across the state to build a network of support for the health and well-being of the Farming, Fisheries, and Forestry communities in Rhode Island.
What kind of help can I receive?

A community of a statewide industry leaders ready to help you through a hard time
Confidential support with a RI-based Employee Assistance Agency (EAP).

Consultation for legal, financial, eldercare, childcare, nutrition, career, and other resources
Qualified referrals to the most effective resources in terms of expertise, location, cost and availability
Access to up to 3 free counseling sessions with a RI-based, licensed, masters level clinician (you and your family)