Business Resources - National, Regional and Local Business Resources

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

NATIONAL, REGIONAL and LOCAL RESOURCES

NATIONAL RESOURCES

National SCORE www.score.org Numerous, good resources for entrepreneurs on topics including; Starting Up, Financing, Marketing (including online), Managing and Technology. See in particular, "Learn Online". http://www.score.org/online_courses.html
Small Business Administration (SBA) http://www.sba.gov/ A generally useful site with information on Services relevant for small businesses being the most helpful. Services for example include grants, disaster assistance, government contracting opportunities and resources for veterans.
Federal Government www.usa.gov This is the general purpose portal to the US Government. Very rich in possible resources, but requires a solid time investment to make good use of it.
Small Business Legal Resources http://www.nolo.com/ "Nolo" is a commercial site but offers good, plain English explanations on just about any legal topic in which you are likely to have an interest; LLC's and other business structures, patents, copyrights, hiring, termination, wills and estates, etc. Use this site to help inform yourself on the basics. We would suggest, however, seeking professional legal help before proceeding on any of those topics.
US Commerce Dept. (Export Site) http://www.export.gov/regulation/index.asp If your company is involved with exporting, an informative site. Also generally useful on other aspects of international trade.
Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov Tax Forms and everything else that you always wanted to know about federal taxes.

CONNECTICUT & REGIONAL RESOURCES

Better Business Bureau www.connecticut.bbb.org A good first step in checking out possible vendors or business partners.
CBIA (CT Bus. & Industry Assoc.) www.cbia.com Helpful referal site for CT businesses. Most practical and useful topics are "Insurance and Employee Benefits" and "Human Resources and Safety"
CEIS (CT Department of Economic Development) http://www.ct.gov/ecd/cwp/view.asp?a=1097&Q=251104&ecdNav=| Links to financing, tax programs, technical assistance and grants specific to CT.
CERC - CT Economic Resource Center http://www.cerc.com/ This is a CT non-profit geared toward marketing and research services.
CLIC ( CT Licensing Information Center) www.ct-clic.com This should be an entrepreneur's first stop in learning about licensing and permitting requirements for operating a business in CT. Practical and helpful. "Smart Start", http://www.ct-clic.com/Content/Smart_Start_for_Business.asp particularly helpful.
Connecticut Government ( Doing Business with the State) http://www.ct.gov/ctportal/taxonomy/ct_taxonomy.asp?DLN=27187&ctportalNav=|27187| Good section on procurement opportunites with the State.
Connecticut Works www.ctdol.state.ct.us Helpful site for CT Human Resources and Labor related information.
Department of Revenue Services www.ct.gov/drs/site Tax forms and information.
Department of Transportation www.ct.gov/dot/site For entrepreneurs, the useful parts of this site relate to Bids and RFP's and licensing information.

Women's Business Development Center www.ctwbdc.org Non-profit micro-enterprise development organization whose goal is to increase economic independence for women.
Small Business Development Center of Connecticut www.ccsu.edu/sbdc Provides professional consulting, workshops and educational programs.
Entrepreneurial Women's Network Fairfield County www.cmsdc.org Network to develop the business talents, capabilities, leadership and skills of entrepreneurial women
Connecticut Minority Supplier Redevelopment Council www.ctwbdc.org Dedicated to significantly increasing the procurement opportunities between corporate members and certified minority owned businesses.
Connecticut Economic Development Fund www.cedf.com Provides Alternative Funding to assist small business owners who have problems obtaining traditional financing.

Fairfield County SCORE | 24 belden Ave, Norwalk CT 06850
Phone: 203 847 7348 | Fax: 203 948 9308 | score41@gmail.com