Firleaf Lending Group, a small-business funding broker in Bowling Green, Kentucky, put together this guide to free small business help for Warren County owners: advising centers, the chamber, economic development and county offices, plus a list of what to bring. Firleaf is not affiliated with any of them and lending partners alone make credit decisions.
What this guide covers
Owners look for help long before they look for money. The searches show it: "sbdc bowling green ky", "small business accelerator bowling green ky", "bowling green area chamber of commerce" and "bowling green warren county chamber of commerce". This guide describes what each kind of organization typically offers, so you can decide where to start.
Firleaf Lending Group has no partnership or affiliation with the SBA, any SBDC, Warren County, the City of Bowling Green, KY, any economic development organization or any chamber.
Small Business Development Center advising
SBDCs are part of an SBA-funded national network and typically offer free one-on-one advising on business plans, cash-flow projections and loan readiness. An adviser can help turn an idea into a plan a partner can review.
Accelerators and startup programs
"Small business accelerator bowling green ky" is a common search. Accelerators usually offer workspace, mentoring or structured programs for early-stage companies; terms and eligibility vary.
The chamber of commerce
Chambers of commerce run on paid membership. Members typically get networking, events and a directory listing; membership is optional and usually paid.
Economic development
Economic development organizations usually focus on business attraction, expansion and site selection, and can point owners toward local programs.
City and county offices
For local licenses, occupational tax, zoning and permits, the city and county offices are the source. Warren County government's website is warrencountyky.gov (checked 2026-10-16).
The Bowling Green, KY page lists the county's business figures.
Five things to bring to an adviser
- A one-page description of the business and what it sells
- Recent bank statements and any financial statements
- The project and its cost, with quotes
- Your current debts and payments
- Questions you want answered
Advisers can help more when they see real numbers. The same records will serve you if you later apply for funding.
Questions worth asking an adviser
- Is the business ready to borrow, or should it build history first?
- Which records are missing or weak?
- Are my cash-flow projections realistic?
- What would a partner see as the main risk in my plan?
- Are there programs or grants I have not considered?
An adviser's honest answer to the first question can save a declined request.
Grants
Grants are not a funding option Firleaf offers. Ask an adviser about any grant programs that may apply to your business.
Free help for towns outside Warren County, KY
Owners in Franklin (Simpson County), Morgantown (Butler County) and Scottsville (Allen County) should check which advising office and local offices cover their county; it may not be the same as Bowling Green's. The service-area page lists the nearby towns and their counties.
When the plan is ready
Once the purpose and numbers are clear, the comparison page helps pick an option, and a term loan is the usual route for a planned project. The resources page lists the other guides.
By Firleaf Lending Group · Updated