Small Business Guide
Thank you for visiting the Small Business portion of my website. I am committed to the principle that small businesses make up the engine that drives America’s economy.
This portion of the website will be your guide to many of the resources that the government has to offer small business owners and those who want to start a business. I have never believed in government handouts, but I have always believed in extending a hand-up. The resources that you will find here offer that “hand-up” through advice, assistance and aid.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers many loan and technical assistance programs, including special programs for women, minorities and veterans, as well as the addresses of lead agencies in each state and U.S. territories. It also provides a review of federal assistance programs for disadvantaged businesses. Please note that while it awards some grants to organizations providing small business assistance to individuals, SBA does not offer monetary grants to individuals to start up or expand small businesses.
SBA's website offers a full range of fact sheets, program information, loan applications, regulations, suggestions on inexpensive software, and guides to state and local resources. Calendars and schedules of SBA-sponsored programs in each state can be found by selecting state and local SBA offices at the SBA website. The site also links to a number of registries and directories, including:
ACE-Net, the access to capital electronic network, which facilitates contacts between small businesses seeking capital and potential investors;
PRO-NET, an online directory of small and minority-owned businesses, information on contracting and subcontracting opportunities, and access to multiple electronic sources of procurement assistance;
WomenBiz.gov, an Internet site that links women-owned businesses to information on federal agency procurement programs and contracting opportunities.
Additionally, to locate these and other organizations, one can use the Encyclopedia of Associations, a reference book that is available in many larger libraries.
SBA has a toll-free number for inquiries 1-800-UASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722) that is available from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. The SBA also has local offices with staff that can provide assistance; a list of these local offices is included online.
The U.S. Small Business Administration also provides information related to The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA gives federal civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age and religion. It guarantees equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.
Federal Small Business Assistance
U.S. Small Business Administration
Congress created the Small Business Administration (SBA) in 1953 to encourage independently owned and operated enterprises. A self-proclaimed “small business resource,” the SBA has a field office in New York City for your convenience. They can be contacted at:
Small Business Administration – New York
26 Federal Plaza, Suite 3100
New York, NY 10278
(212) 264-4354 Phone
(212) 264-4963 Fax
The most important part of a successful business of any size is getting started. Once you have decided what type of business you want to start and who you want to work with, there are still many other decisions to be made. What type of legal structure will you use? How will you insure your business and yourself? How will you keep your records? You can find suggestions to help you answer these questions, and additional questions in the SBA Start-Up Guide.
U.S. Business Advisor
There are over 60 federal agencies with regulations or suggestions for businesses. The SBA has funded the U.S. Business Advisor to help you gain easy access to the federal agencies that will regulate your business. The website contains the latest information to help your business, a search engine, and many of the forms you may need to submit to get your business operational and keep it running legally.
Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury has established an Office of Small Business and Development, and an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization to provide assistance to small businesses for procedures concerning the Treasury. This site can be especially useful for minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses in under-utilized business zones.
Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury has established an Office of Small Business and Development, and an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization to provide assistance to small businesses for procedures concerning the Treasury. This site can be especially useful for minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses in under-utilized business zones.
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has billed the Small Business section of its web site “Your One-Stop Business Resource.” This site contains streaming video on a variety of small business issues, toll free numbers to reach the IRS, and information on where to file your tax returns.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
For regulations affecting businesses, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets most of the federal standards regarding workplace safety. Within their website is the OSHA Small Business page. It contains many resources for small businesses to encourage safety and good health within the workplace. This page includes the link to every local OSHA office. The New York Regional office can be contacted at the following location:
Queens District Office of the Manhattan Area Office
45-17 Marathon Parkway
Little Neck, NY 11362
(718) 279-9060
(718) 279-9057 FAX
“This page provides one-stop shopping for the most popular materials for small businesses from free on-site consultation to interactive computer software to technical information to easy-to-follow guides for specific OSHA standards. It also includes links to OSHA local offices and the Small Business Administration.” — from the OSHA Small Business website.
House Committee on Small Business
The House of Representatives has a Committee on Small Business that looks out for your needs as the owner of a small business.
Small Business Links
Small Business Administration New York
