Business Link Yorkshire came in for criticism for not making its help more easily available to Calderdale firms at a meeting it held to get feedback on its performance.
More than 7,000 businesses across Yorkshire are registered on Business Link's database but only one in two of those has had dealings with it.
Some delegates at the meeting at the Rock Inn, Holywell Green, asked if this was good enough and if more
could be helped if there was a central contact point in Calderdale.
They also asked for more support for long-established manufacturing firms and an integrated service with other agencies.
Barbara Harbinson, chief executive of Halifax Opportunities Trust, said: "If there was a more integrated presence and partnership then there would be a team of experts available."
She suggested simple information be sent out with Business Link advisers' photos and contact details.
Kevin Spencer, regional managing director of Weir Minerals, Todmorden, which employs 400, said he was not even aware of what Business Link did.
"I must be in the top 2 per cent of employers in the area. If I don't know you're around then there must be something wrong."
Gary Jones, chairman of Heights Design, Wainstalls, Halifax, said Business Link's apparent focus on small start-up businesses left large, established firms unsupported.
He called for more help from Calderdale Council too, to keep firms like his, which employs around 90, within Calderdale.
His company is unable to develop its land due to planning restrictions.
"I would like local authorities to work more with Business Link to help businesses stay in Calderdale.
"We have got six acres of land we can't use," he said.
Mr Jones, who is also chairman of Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance, said the message of support was not getting out to all small businesses.
"There is so much information thrown at them they don't know where to go and they don't know what's available.
"We are still not getting down to grass roots," he said.
Shirin Borrett, Business Link strategic partnership manager, said there were plans to have a permanent access point in Calderdale.
Business Link adviser Paul Tansey, one of the 16 mobile advisers based in Calderdale, said they worked closely with the council and trade organisations to give businesses a full range of support.
