FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WEBSITES

ASSISTING SMALL BUSINESSES

by Angela Taylor

 

Entrepreneurs are the aggressive catalysts for change in today’s world of business. Over 1500 businesses start-up per day. Starting and maintaining a business requires planning, dedication, motivation and a lot of research. In today’s era of information superiority, information is available at the touch of a keystroke and the internet has made it possible for individuals, corporations and governments alike to access and advertise valuable information.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

The United States Federal Government provides a number of programs targeted to small businesses and in 1953 established the Small Business Administration (SBA) to aid, counsel, and protect the interests of the Nation’s small business community. The SBA accomplishes this mission in part by working with intermediaries, banks, and other lending institutions to provide loans and venture capital financing to small businesses. The SBA also provides special assistance in the form of programs targeted to aid small businesses in developing competitive advantages and sustaining business. These include the Small Business Innovative Research program (SBIR) which reserves federal research and development funding for small businesses and the Natural Resources Sales Assistance Program which ensures that small business concerns obtain a fair share of government property sales and leases.

 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has established a Small Business Institute which provides text, audio and visual resources for growing businesses. The Internal Revenue Service offers taxpayers operating their own businesses a tax kit designed to assist in tax payments. The General Services Administration has an Office of Enterprise Development whose mission is to promote increased access for small businesses to GSA's nationwide procurement opportunities. The Department of Commerce, National Technology Transfer Center, Bureau of National Affairs, Bureau of Export Administration, Minority Business Development Agency and the Farm Service Agency are just a few of the other federal agencies which have programs or guidance for the small business owner. Following are several excellent Federal internet websites providing access to resources.

 

 

FEDERAL WEB LINKS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

The Federal Government has over 300 websites providing information for small businesses. The following sites have been selected as informative web sites with valuable information on federal government assistance. Most of these sites also contain links or listings of other sites providing information for entrepreneurs.

 

 

 

 

FEDERAL HOT LINKS

 

The Small Business Administration. The Small Business Administration (SBA) helps people get into business and stay in business. The Agency accomplishes this mission by providing new and existing small firms with loans, loan guarantees, management counseling, training, and assistance in obtaining government contracts. The U.S. Small Business Administration website provides a wealth of information for the new and seasoned entrepreneur alike. Topics range from starting a business, financing, expanding offices and services, disaster assistance, outreach initiatives and an online library. Two additional features of the website are the "What’s New" icon and the Great Business Links section. For the global entrepreneur, this site provides data on alternative fuels or export administration. This site contains over 250 other federal website addresses.

 

The Minority Business Development Agency. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) website provides information on business development service programs provided to minority entrepreneurs. MBDA's programs form a national business service network which effectively addresses the special needs of minority entrepreneurs throughout the United States. Each program is designed to focus on the unique business problems of a specific target market.

 

General Services Administration Office of Enterprise Development. The Office of Enterprise Development is GSA's advocate for today's small, minority, and women business owners. This site introduces you to their organization and resources. The Regional Small Business Centers are the "front door" to contracting opportunities with GSA. Each center is staffed with specialists who can provide information on: getting on GSA's Bidder's Mailing list, learning about current bidding opportunities with GSA and receiving business counseling.

 

Information for Women Entrepreneurs. This interactive business skills training website is dedicated to helping entrepreneurial women to realize their goals and aspirations for their personal and professional development. The goal is to provide women entrepreneurs with the information and expertise necessary for planning their economic independence through owning their own businesses.

 

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Institute. This website is an online catalog of resources to help entrepreneurs build their businesses. The site includes a small business bookstore and the latest technology solutions.

 

NON-FEDERAL BONUS SITE:

 

The George Washington University Center for the Advancement of Small Business. A resource guide for small business owners and entrepreneurs, this website enables the entrepreneur to learn about specific areas in running a business to include formation, venture capital, financing, marketing and export/import regulations.

 

 

 

 

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