U.S. Small Business Administration

U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration provides financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. SBA's programs include financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management assistance, and specialized outreach to women, minorities and armed forces veterans.

SBA Small Business Planner
Careful planning is fundamental to success.  The Small Business Planner includes information and resources that will help you at any stage of the business lifecycle.

SBA Contracting Opportunities
The Federal Government has strict guidelines regulating its purchase of goods and services. Small businesses must meet certain qualifications, and government contracting officials use standardized procedures. As a small business owner seeking to sell to the government, you first have to understand how the contracting process works, determine whether your business qualifies, and decide whether government contracting is right for you. Then you’re ready to take the steps necessary to get started and pursue opportunities. 

SBA Financial Programs
SBA has developed a number of financial programs that address the various needs of small businesses. SBA works closely with a wide range of lending partners across the country that play a key part in providing this financing for small businesses.

SBA Disaster Assistance
SBA provides low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

Office of Women’s Business Ownership
The Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) exists to establish and oversee a network of Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) throughout the United States and its territories.  Through the management and technical assistance provided by the WBCs, entrepreneurs, especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged, are offered comprehensive training and counseling on a vast array of topics in many languages to help them start and grow their own businesses.

Special Audiences
The SBA is a strong advocate of minority and special audiences. Whether you're looking for information on programs and services in support of women entrepreneurs, veteran's business development, Native Americans, special minority programs including HUBZone, Small Disadvantaged Business Certification and 8(a) business development, you'll find it here. Additionally, we've devoted an entire site to young entrepreneurs - the future of America's small businesses and international trade.

Other Government Agencies

Internal Revenue Services Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource
This IRS website provides business resources, guidance on tax-related responsibilities for an employer, small business forms and publications, information about deductible business expenses, self-employment filing requirements, and online learning and educational products.

U.S. Census Bureau
The Census is a great resource to help you identify your market – you can start by clicking on American FactFinder. It also provides business and industry economic indicators, economic census, NAICS, foreign trade statistics, and local employment dynamics.

United States Patent and Trademark Office
This website provides all you need to know about Intellectual Property. It contains information regarding patent, trademarks, forms, fees, guides and manuals.

Empire State Development Corporation
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York State's lead economic development agency. Our organization, with co-headquarters in Albany and New York City, is supported by a network of 18 additional ESD Offices throughout the state and around the world.

The New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS)
SBS serves as a single point of access for all questions that local businesses have when it comes to interacting with government. It can help you resolve issues with city agencies, obtain permits and licensing, access financing and incentives, bid on government contracts, hire and train your workforce, and take advantage of the benefits of being in New York City.

Department of Youth and Community Development
The Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) was created in 1996 in order to consolidate resources and provide the City of New York with higher-quality, more efficient youth and family programming. Its central task is administering available city, state, and federal funds to strong and effective community-based organizations.

NYC Health Insurance Link
The website helps small businesses and individuals in the five boroughs find health insurance options that meet their specific needs and budgets on an unbiased basis.

NYC Business Express
NYC Business Express is the one-stop online tool for the license, permit, tax, incentive information and applications you need, for any business in NYC. The NYC Business Express Incentives Estimator can even provide a customized list of City, State, and Federal incentives for which your business may qualify.

NYS Department of Labor

Research and Online Training Resources

Brooklyn Business Library
This website is designed to help you explore the variety of resources that can be found in the Brooklyn Business Library. It offers business-related information to guide you in your realization of personal and professional goals.

SIBL – New York Science Industry and Business Library
The Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL), the nation's largest public information center devoted solely to science and business, was created by merging The New York Public Library's extensive resources and services in these areas.

SIBL – NYC Small Business Resource Center
The SIBL’s NYC Small Business Resource Center website provides how-to business videos, services directory, business owner’s manual, events, online forums, and it is an excellent resource for business owners.

New York City Economic Development Corporation - Financing & Incentives

Small Business Training Network (SBTN)
SBTN is the SBA virtual campus offering online courses, publications and other forms of technical assistance. Courses are self-paced and take about 30 minutes to complete. A brief online registration is required.

IRS Small Business/Self-Employed Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop  
This workshop is composed of nine interactive lessons designed to help new small business owners learn their tax rights and responsibilities.

Learn Online with SCORE
Take these useful & interesting courses to help your business get started and grow.

Business Plan Template

Download our business plan outline here

Download free sample business plans at www.Bplans.com

Elected Officials

Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez

Congressman Edolphus Towns

NYC Councilman Charles Barron

Other Resources

TheBeeHive.org

TheBeehive.org is a free nonprofit English/Spanish website with easy-to-use tools and information to help you improve your life. Write and save a business plan, design your own business cards, learn how to buy your first home, and get information on managing your money, health, education and more.