Small Business Center

The Small Business Center offers the following for business use: 

• classrooms,
• meeting spaces
• conference rooms
• computer lab
• plus free WiFi access and a resource library

To reserve one of our many spaces, email the Small Business Center.  

The Small Business Center is located on the Central Campus. 

Address

Central Piedmont Community College
Small Business Center
Levine Information Technology, Suite 1140
1125 Charlottetowne Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28204

Directions: Google Map 

Free parking for clients is located in the parking deck on the corner of 4th and Charlottetowne Avenue.

Directions

From the North:

Take I-77 South
Take the Brookshire Freeway / I-277 / NC-16 exit – Exit 11 0 .1 mile
Merge onto I-277 S / NC-16 S via Exit 11A on the Left 2.6 miles
Take the 4TH ST / NC-16 exit – Exit 2A toward 3rd St 0 .1 mile
Turn Left onto E 4th Street / NC-16 S. <0.1 mile
Turn Left onto S McDowell Street / NC-16 / NC-27 <0.1 mile
Turn Left onto E 3rd Street / NC-16 S. 0 .4 mile
Turn Left onto Charlottetowne Avenue <0.1 mile

From the East:

Take I-85 South 
Merge to I-77 S / US-21 S – Exit 38 toward Columbia 2.3 miles
Take the Brookshire Freeway / I-277 / NC-16 exit – Exit 11 0.1 mile
Merge onto I-277 S / NC-16 S via Exit 11A on the Left 2.6 miles
Take the 4TH ST / NC-16 exit – Exit 2A- toward 3rd Street 0.1 mile
Turn Left onto E 4th Street / NC-16 S. <0.1 mile
Turn Left onto S McDowell Street / NC-16 / NC-27 <0.1 mile
Turn Left onto E 3rd Street / NC-16 S. 0 .4 mile
Turn Left onto Charlottetowne Avenue <0.1 mile

From the South:

I-77 N toward Charlotte
Take the John Belk Freeway / I-277 / Wilkinson Boulevard / US-74 exit – Exit 9 toward US-29 / NC-27. 0.2 mile
Merge onto I-277 N / US-74 E via Exit 9B. 1.5 miles
Take the 3rd Street / NC-16 S / 4th Street exit – Exit 2A. 0.4 mile
Turn Right onto E 3rd Street / NC-16 S 0.2 mile

From the West

I-85 N toward Charlotte
Take the NC-27 E exit – Exit 34 toward downtown 0.4 mile 
Merge onto Freedom Drive 2.4 miles
Freedom Drive becomes S Clarkson Street 0.1 mile
Merge onto I-277 N / US-74 E via the ramp on the Left 1.5 miles
Take the 3rd Street / NC-16 S / 4th Street exit – Exit 2A. 0.4 mile
Turn Right onto E 3rd Street / NC-16 S. 0.2 mile
Turn Left onto Charlottetowne Avenue <0.1 mile

Request free, confidential business counseling

The Central Piedmont Small Business Rebound Professional Service Grant opportunity provides individual support  through contracted professionals to help your business recover and grow.

Become a Central Piedmont Small Business Center Virtual or In-person Volunteer Business Counselor and help assist entrepreneurs and business owners to plan, launch, and grow local businesses.

If you are searching to share your expertise to help entrepreneurs achieve their business goals, Central Piedmont's Small Business Center has an exciting and rewarding opportunity for you. 

Become a member of our Volunteer Counseling team and assist entrepreneurs on a limited basis, either on location at the Small Business Center or virtually. Virtual counseling sessions will use a WebEx-powered meeting center, which allows clients to meet with counselors virtually online to receive business coaching, advisement, and mentoring.

Process to Become a Virtual Volunteer: 

• Potential volunteers should complete and submit the SBC Virtual Volunteer Application along with a current resume or bio.
• Your application will be reviewed and compared to the SBC's current needs.
• SBC will interview you to determine best placement and timeframe for desired activities.
• If approved by the director, you will need to complete and sign the following volunteer forms:
  • NCCCS Small Business Center Network Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Agreement
  • Visit the HR Documents page, under Volunteer Forms, to download the following: 
    • Volunteer Background Authorization 
    • Volunteer Data Information Sheet
• After the above paperwork is processed, a program developer will schedule an orientation date to acquaint you with Small Business Center counseling procedures and the online tool to be used for virtual counseling (Webex).
• Volunteer activities will begin.

• March 24: How to Start a Business
• March 25: How to Write a Business Plan
• March 26: Individual Income Tax Basics
• March 26: How to Start a Nonprofit
• March 27: Sales and Use Tax Workshop for the Small Business Owner (Online)

• April 1: Six Key Areas of Capital Accumulation and Protection
• April 2: How to Do Business With the Government
• April 8: Individual Income Tax Basics
• April 9: Sales and use Tax Workshop For the Small Business Owner
• April 17: Starting a Business in NC
• April 22: Understanding Your Financial Needs (Hybrid)

Featured Programs

• Grant Writing
• Small Business
• QuickBooks 

Current Schedule 

Small Business offerings can change. If a program or course you are interested in is not currently offered, contact the Small Business Center.

Register 

• Choose one of three ways to register now.

Thomas J. Hall Scholarship for Continuing Education Studies at the Small Business Center

The Thomas J. Hall Endowed Entrepreneurship Scholarship Fund at Central Piedmont has been created through the generosity of Mr. Thomas J. Hall, President, The Hall Group. The award of scholarships represents Mr. Hall’s commitment to the college and to its students interested in learning about entrepreneurship and running a small business.

The scholarships will be awarded to Corporate and Continuing Education students who display significant potential as a successful entrepreneur and future business leader. Successful candidates must demonstrate a passion for entrepreneurship and meet the eligibility/application requirements.

Eligibility Requirements and Application

The Small Business Center is always looking for presenters with new ideas for an interesting course or seminar topic. If you have an idea for a class or seminar, the desire to teach, and meet the below requirements, contact the Small Business Center.

Suggested Qualifications:

• Degree, accreditation, licensure and/or experience in the subject area
• Minimum of three years of experience in your subject area
• Current or previous business ownership experience
• Teaching or training experience with adult learners

The Resource Center is located on the first floor of the Levine Information Technology Building on Central Campus. It offers lending and use of professional resources to guide and increase your business knowledge. Visit us today, and take advantage of these valuable resources available at no cost to you.

• print materials 
• multimedia and subscription materials
• computer workstations                                                

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(Additional walk-in hours are available by appointment.)