PITTSFIELD – Small businesses, particularly those with fewer than 10 employees, often find it difficult to network with the state, federal and local services that would help them thrive.

Many times, say area economic directors, they don’t even know which resources are in place to help them.

The state’s Business Visitation Program was created to stimulate economic growth by assisting these small businesses that already are in operation – in effect, becoming the liaison between businesses and resources.

A small-business forum has been set for Dec. 13 at the Pittsfield Municipal Building to begin working on a plan to achieve this goal, with more than 400 area businesses invited to attend.

Pittsfield Economic Director Sylvia Hudson said Tuesday the forum and the plan that will come from it are vital for the local economy to prosper.

“Small businesses are the very heart of Maine’s economy, with 98 percent of all businesses having less than 20 employees, and in most cases, less than five employees,” Hudson said.

The program, she explained, gives businesses an opportunity to express what they need and then hear from an agency that can help them get it.

Hudson said a survey begun last April by a cadre of area volunteers has been completed but not compiled. She said she hopes the December gathering will yield a plan that will be included in the final survey report.

“We are looking to create a working group from the gathering in December,” Hudson said.

Last April, a group of 15 volunteers from the Skowhegan Career Center and the Somerset County Work Force Task Force contacted 100 area small businesses that Hudson said were representative of such businesses in the Sebasticook Valley area. Each business was surveyed regarding its needs for work force training, marketing assistance, financing or improvements in workplace safety. The answers were confidential.

“It may be a matter of providing a training center right at the place of employment,” Hudson said.

The alliance is distinctive between the public and private sectors. The Business Visitation Program is run jointly by the Maine Chamber and Business Alliance and the state Department of Labor on an annual budget of $120,000.

Area businesses seeking information may call Hudson at the Pittsfield town office, 487-3136.