Eight Ways Your Small Business Can Get Help from the Government

Eight Ways Your Small Business Can Get Help from the Government

When the government spends like there is no tomorrow while small banks and businesses struggle to just keep up, it may appear indifferent to the needs of small businesses. However, the government can assist in a few ways, and the following are a few of the best websites to look at for advice on everything from building plans to business plans.

1) The Small Business Administration, also known as the “granddaddy of them all,” provides general guidance on starting a business, as well as counseling, mentoring, SCORE teams, and instructions on how to apply for loans, government contracts, and assistance in times of disaster. For a comprehensive list of articles designed to provide answers to questions posed by new or aspiring entrepreneurs, visit sba(dot)gov. 2) From the Branch of the Depository, to the US Division of Horticulture, basically every organization has a program embracing independent venture.

Many offer services like the Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization link; however, before choosing a company, find out what they have to offer small businesses. State Small Business Credit Initiative and Small Business Lending Fund information can be found at the Department of the Treasury. 3) According to the Federal Business Opportunities website, which can be found at fbo(dot)gov, there are over 25,800 opportunities to conduct business with the federal government.

It’s likely that the government spends money in your industry, no matter what it is. 4) If you have a product to sell and want to try selling it abroad, go to the export.gov website. There, you can find information about exports, like trade leads and export counseling, that can help you reach a new market. 5) You can learn about a wide range of business topics at business.usa.gov, including how to start, finance, and grow a business, taxes and credits, starting or expanding exports, veterans’ opportunities, and changes to health care.

6) You can find resources for applicants, investors, and agencies on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer website. These resources connect small businesses that want to do research and development work for the government with products that can be sold. To find out which organizations are participating and how to participate in the three-phase program, visit sbir.gov/about/about-sbir.

The site’s statistics indicate that over 15,000 businesses receive $21 billion for R&D projects and that 400,000 scientists and engineers award seven patents each day. 7) What to do with the excess items? This website is the gBay of the United States, offering government goods at auction. It has its own garage and attic full of things they don’t want or need. If your company requires any equipment, you might be able to find it and get a good deal here. At any given time, govsales.gov/html/about-us.html lists a variety of items, including computers, boats, automobiles, office equipment, jewelry, homes, and land.

8) Visit fedstats.gov for a ten-year archive of 100 agencies’ data. This is one of the most extensive statistical databases on the internet, and it can be searched by agency, by state, or an A-Z search. Do you need a state statistic? It probably exists here.