Resources
If you are considering expanding your existing business or starting a business, you need to do your homework. Check out these links to on-line resources and printable information.
Resource Portal:
Agriculture/Bio-Business
Benchmarking – Compare your company to others in the same industry
Business Forms
Business Plans
- How to prepare a business plan
- Business Plan Fundamentals
- Business Plans Handbook
- SBA Business Plan Basics
- SCORE Business Plan Template
Certifications
eCommerce
Commercial Property Site Selection Tool
Demographics & Statistics
- County Business Patterns
- DataNet
- FEDStats
- Minnesota State Demographer
- US Census / American Fact Finder
E-mail Marketing
- Constant Contact
Discount for SBDC clients! Sign up for a free 60-day trial.
Employment and Training Programs
- Fairmont WorkForce Center
- Mankato WorkForce Center
- University of Minnesota Extension Service
- Minnesota Job Skills Partnership
- New Ulm WorkForce Center
Energy Savings/Rebates
Entrepreneurship
- EntreWorld.org
- Entrepreneur Magazine
- Entrepreneurial Connections
- Minnesota Entrepreneurs, Inc.
- Resources for Entrepreneurs with a Disability
- Online Business Workbooks form U.S. Bank
Environmental
- Minnesota Environmental Quality Board
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Minnesota Technical Assistance Program
Export & International Trade
- A Basic Guide to Exporting
- US Export Assistance Center – Minneapolis
- Ex-Im Bank
- Minnesota Trade Office
- Overseas Private Investment Corp.
- US Commercial Service
- US Customs & Border Protection
- US Commercial Service – Minnesota
- US Government Export Portal
- US Trade & Development Agency
- WorldBiz.com
Financing
- BusinessFinance.com
- Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
- 504 Corporation
- GovLoans.gov
- Federal Grants
- Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Minnesota Grants
- Minnesota Indian Business Loan Program
- Minnesota USDA – Rural Development
- Region Nine Development Commission
- Small Business Innovation Research
(SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) - Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
- US Small Business Administration
Financing — Seed Capital
- Genesis Business Centers, Ltd.
- Minnesota Angel Network
- Minnesota Cup
- Minnesota Venture Capital Association
- RAINSource Capital
- William C. Norris Institute
Franchising
- An Introduction to Franchising
- Directory of Top Franchise Opportunities
- Federal Trade Commission – Franchising
- FranNet
- Franchise Direct
- Franchise Registry
- International Franchise Association
- MyFranchiseLaw.com
- Small Business Administration – Franchising
Government — Federal
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BusinessUSA
- Code of Federal Regulations
- Federal Stimulus Information
- Health Care Reform for Small Businesses
- US Small Business Administration
- Statistical Information
Government — State
- Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State
- Minnesota Small Business Assistance Office
- Minnesota Trade Office
- Small Business Administration – Minnesota District Office
Government Contracts
Human Resources/Labor
- An Employer’s Guide to Employment Law Issues in Minnesota
- eLaws – Employment Laws Assistance for Small Business
- Employee Benefit Research Institute
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
- Minnesota Labor Market Information
- Social Security Administration
- Society for Human Resource Management
- Southern Minnesota Area Human Resource Association (SMAHRA)
- US Department of Labor
- Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program
- Why and How to Conduct a Human Resources Audit in Minnesota
Intellectual Property
Legal
- Employment Laws Assistance
- FindLaw
- LawMoose.com
- FindLaw for Small Businesses
- LegalCORPS Minnesota
- Nolo.com
Licenses
Manufacturing
- Enterprise Minnesota
- Minnesota Center for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence
- Minnesota High Tech Association
- Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association
Marketing
Minority Business Resources
- African Development Center of Minnesota
- Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Minnesota
- Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC)
- Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce
- Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce
- Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce
- Minnesota Indian Business Alliance
- Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
- National Minority Business Council
- United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Nonprofit
Social Media
Starting a Business
- Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) – Apply on-line
- A Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota – MN Dept. of Employment & Economic Development
- Minnesota Tax ID Number – Apply on-line
- SBA Small Business Planner
- IRS Checklist for Starting a Business
- SBA Minnesota Small Business Resource Guide
Taxes – Federal
Taxes – State
Technical Assistance
- Better Business Bureau of Minnesota
- Mankato Area Council for Quality
- Minnesota Performance Excellence Network
- Minnesota Technical Assistance Program
- SCORE — Service Corps of Retired Executives
- University of Minnesota Extension Service
Technology
Veterans
- Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
- Buy Veteran
- Minnesota Veterans Programs
- Minnesota Reservist and Veteran Business Loan Program
- National Veteran-Owned Business Association
- US Small Business Administration
- VetBiz Resource Center
Women’s Business Resources
