General Business/Economic Data
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About.com
Articles information on a variety of business topics, including: start-up, marketing, finance, forecasting, etc -
Allbusiness.com
A comprehensive source of business advice, news, forms, market research, services and stories -
America's Business Funding Directory
A free databse of over 3,600 sources of capital; provides instruction manuals for the preparation and presentation of funding requests -
BizStats
Free business industry statistics; topics include but are not limited to: total number of US businesses, industry market size, average sales per store location, industry financial ratios, and inventory turnover ratios by industry -
Business Plan Pro
Over 500 free sample business plans; variety of industries and business structures; advice on writing a business plan, obtaining financing and establishing an online business -
Business Owner's Toolkit
Small business strategies, news and resources through free membership; concepts are introduced by large companies and developed to fit the small business environment
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Community Resource Center
Creates opportunities and resources to develop community groups and nonprofit organizations; tools include grant guides, seminars and workshops and helpful links -
EconData.net
Provides over 1,000 links to socioeconomic data sources, broken down into economic activity by subject and provider; government websites and publications included to ease the search process for economic and demographic statistics -
Expertise.com
Guides for many of today's challenges for small businesses -
National Federation of Independent Business
Non-profit providing current news and information at national and state levels -
The Simple Dollar
Financial information on finding the best products and services, saving money, making smart investments, and controlling personal finances -
The Wall Street Journal's Start-Up Journal
Articles geared to entrepreneurs and small business owners; topics include financing, technology, marketing, legalities and general business "how-to"
Demographic & Psychographic Data
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American FactFinder by the US Census Bureau
All US Census data is included on the website; population, housing, economic, and geographic information is available can be broken down as specifically as zip code or block area -
The 2009 Statistical Abstract
Statistics on growth, distribution and characteristics; a Data Book of the US Census Bureau
Human Resources
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Employee Benefit Research Institute
Information about employee benefits and sources for related data are available through this organization -
World at Work
Nonprofit association is comprehensive source for information about compensation, benefits, work-life, and total rewards education; membership levels, including a free community account, are available for additional data and resources needed to develop effective professional programs
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U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Provides information about laws, regulations, and litigation regarding employment -
Society for Human Resource Management
Professional organization for human resource managers; resources and data are provided to promote the profession and provide information for practitioners; membership is required to access the majority of the site information
Legal Considerations
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Find Law
Comprehensive legal website has a section specifically for small business; find forms, business start-up requirements, and legal information -
Law Guru
Comprehensive legal website has a section specifically for small business; find forms, business start-up requirements, and legal informationFree legal advice, attorney locator, and database with common questions and requirements for small business is available to the general public, students, and professionals -
Nolo
Specifically designed for small business and consumers; provides legal documents and forms, a research center, attorney locator, and legal product store -
Law Info
Access to over 100,000 free legal documents and forms, free videos and research library as well as an attorney locator
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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Search and/or apply for patents and trademarks -
U.S. Copyright Office
Information on how to copyright your publications -
Code of Federal Regulations
Provides an online version of general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register; each volume is updated on an annual basis and is issued quarterly -
State of Colorado
Learn about doing business in the state of Colorado; starting a business, Colorado regulations, licenses and permits, taxes, and business management
Colorado Government Resources
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Office of Economic Development and International Trade
Provides financial and technical support to all Colorado businesses to promote positive economic development -
Colorado Data Book
Provides an annual overview of the state’s economy and demographics; additional information includes its employment base, tax structure, primary industry sectors, transportation and utilities; resources at regional and local levels with more detailed information
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Colorado Business Express
Tips and tools to write a business plan, check employer responsibilities, estimate sales tax, and learn about government requirements for Colorado businesses; the Custom Resource Guide is a feature of this website that includes counseling, training, and related entrepreneurial resources -
Colorado Secretary of State
Provides forms to register business organizations, names, trademarks, etc. Uniform Commercial Code, general business information, and industry news
US Government Sources
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Bureau of Labor Statistics
Provides the “economy at a glance”, labor data, and regional information -
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Government-wide grouping of federal programs, projects, services, and activities that assist the American public; site catalog is a helpful tool to search financial as well as non-financial programs -
USA.gov
Provides information specifically from government databases; most useful for finding reports on grants, industry trends, and the consumer market; links to government branches and agencies -
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
Provides a list of standards and publications related to safety in the workplace -
Small Business Administration
Provides business resources, how-to guides, and “Great Business Hot Links;" topics fall in the following categories: planning, business start-up and growth, business management, and exit strategies
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Statistical Abstract of the US
Annual summary of political, social, and economic statistics in the United States; sources include the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis, among other federal agencies and private organizations -
US Business Advisor
Information on legal requirements and related government services -
US Department of Commerce
Links to related government websites as well as general business information and news -
US Department of Labor
Business commerce information, news, and forms -
US Patent & Trademark Office
Provides information and resources on current patents and trademarks as well as the application process
