Alternative Energy
Business Web Portals
- Startup America Partnership – Funds are available to help startups expand. Click to find out if you qualify for the resources.
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- Free Business Tools – Provides helpful tools to business owners looking to grow their business, both offline & online businesses
- Six Steps to Begin Exporting – A tool to help small businesses tap into the global marketplace and grow their business.
- Business.gov – Official business link to the U.S. Government
- First Step Employment Law Advisor – Helps employers determine which federal employment laws administered by the U.S. Department of Labor apply to their business or organization, what recordkeeping and reporting requirements they must comply with, and which posters they need to post
- Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) – Contest for students achieving entrepreneurial success
- IRS.gov – Website with access to all federal tax forms and also business management information
- LocationOne Information System (LOIS) – A real-time economic development/GIS-enhanced site selection engine. Regardless of size, any community can participate in a robust database of buildings, sites, and hundreds of business climate statistics
- Military Connection – Connects candidates from the military community with top job opportunities in all areas, and visa versa
- National Dialogue on Entrepreneurship (NDE) – Entrepreneurship information
- Small Business Development Center National Information Clearinghouse (SBDCNET)– National information portal produced by the Small Business Development Centers for business owners as a resource providing relevant research, web-based information, and training to SBDC counselors and their small business clients
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development – Provides consultations, assistance and funding opportunities for individuals and businesses located in rural communities
- Yak About It – A retail site that features products from independent entrepreneurs only
- Business Planning Tips & Templates – largest repository of info on creating a business plan, the first step of any small business. Their sample plans are great starting point.
- Ecommerce Fulfillment– Being an entrepreneur in this digital world can be made easier though ecommerce fulfillment services.
Disaster Recovery
- American Red Cross – First contact for basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing
- Farm Service Agency – Provides assistance for natural disaster losses, resulting from drought, flood, fire, freeze, tornadoes, pest infestation, and other calamities to farmers and ranchers
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Clearinghouse for recovery services. Information on how to prepare for disasters, receiving assistance, and rebuilding
- Storm Recovery Guide – Originally created by LSU, it has been edited by Iowa State. Many helpful tips including how to enter a home after a disaster, food, water, and other issues
Downtown Development
Economic Data
- Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) – National, regional, industry, and international statistics that present essential information on key issues including: economic growth, regional economic development, interindustry relationships, and the nation’s position in the world economy
- City-Data.com – Data from numerous sources to create complete and interesting profiles of most U.S. cities
- Community Economic Development HotReport (CED) – Access for users seeking economic indicators for individual counties or for the Employment & Training Administration’s WIRED Regions
- U.S. Census Bureau – Population, housing, economic, and geographic data and statistics
- LOIS – A searchable economic development database with detailed information on sites, buildings, and locations for businesses looking to grow.
Education
Health Data
International Business
Mental Wellness