Links to Resources for Small Businesses
Small Business Guide to Government Resources
My office assembled this guide to provide an overview of the programs and opportunities available to small businesses in our state.
You can utilize the SBA website to enter the zip code of your business or prospective business and select the criteria that most closely relates to your needs and interests. The recently re-designed SBA website will then provide useful links and information regarding SBA programs, business counseling, loans and funding, and more.
A centralized, one-stop platform to make it easier for businesses to access government services from a number of federal agencies. This website is still in beta version.
Tax information for Rhode Island businesses
The IRS Rhode Island website can provide information specific to your small business tax concerns.
3 Simple Steps to Determine Whether You Quality for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
The IRS provides this visual aid with three simple steps to help small business owners determine their eligibility for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit
Federal Business Opportunities with the Federal Government
My website contains useful information and links regarding how businesses can sell to the U.S. government.
Rhode Island Small Business Development Center
The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBDC) provides a variety of resources to entrepreneurs and small business owners, including counseling and educational services. RISBDC also helps connect small business owners with government, banking, university, private sector and community-based resources and services.
Rhode Island Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
The Rhode Island chapter of SCORE operates through the support of the SBA and has a team of fifty volunteers available to provide free and confidential counseling to small business owners. The RISCORE volunteer corps is comprised of business owners, Fortune 500 executives, CPAs, MBAs, college professors, patent attorneys, web designers, insurance brokers and marketing communications consultants. In 2009 alone, RISCORE mentored more than 660 small business owners.
Rhode Island Manufacturing Extensions Service (RIMES)
Supported in part by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Service helps manufacturers solve business problems, and improve processes and quality. The highly-trained team at RIMES provides expert advice and consultation in areas including quality management systems, marketing, and on-site assessments.
Center for Women and Enterprise
Supported in part by the SBA, the Center for Women and Enterprise is a nonprofit organization that focuses on helping women start and grow their own businesses. The Center for Women and Enterprise offers education, training, technical assistance, women’s business enterprise certification, and access to capital.
An initiative of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, Every Company Counts is a small business initiative that serves as a resource for entrepreneurs and existing companies seeking to access tools and build partnerships that facilitate their development. Every Company Counts connects small businesses with technical assistance and services, provides streamlined access to government agencies, professional associations, nonprofit business service organizations, and more.
U.S. Government Central Contractor Registration
The Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is a free database that allows you to register your business.
Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance
My website contains useful information and links regarding how businesses can obtain federak grants and other federal domestic assistance.
Export Assistance Center of Rhode Island
The Expert Assistance Center of Rhode Island is an arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses gain access to foreign markets. The Export Assistance Center helps connect Rhode Island businesses with international buyers, provides market intelligence, trade counseling, and information on accessing export financing.
Small Business Health Care Tax Credit for Small Employers
The IRS has established a tax credit to help small businesses and small tax-exempt organizations afford the cost of covering their employees and complying with the Affordable Care Act. Click here for additional information provided by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Employers can receive reimbursement, VA-provided tools, and VA support. Veterans approved to participate in the SEI program are hired by participating employers, and employment is expected to continue following successful completion of the program.
PDF of Rhode Island Small Business Resources and Partners
My office assembled this two-page PDF for quick and easy online or print access to Rhode Island resources.