Government Resources

Local

Businesses (City of Cincinnati)

City of Cincinnati site that can assist all businesses with their needs, including tax credits, small business loans, licenses, building permits and market data.

Cincinnati Minority Business Collaborative, opens a new window

A collaborative assisting minority business enterprises obtain capital and customer readiness support.

Greater Cincinnati Microenterprise Initiative

The GCMI offers entrepreneurial training classes, small business financial assistance, technical assistance, and access to other business resources.

Minority Business Accelerator , opens a new window

A program by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber providing advisory support and coaching to accelerate the growth and development of sizable African-American and Hispanic owned businesses

MORTAR, opens a new window

Provides resources, networking, and courses to historically marginalized entrepreneurs looking to start and run successful businesses.

SCORE (Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky)

Uses volunteer business managers and executives to counsel and provide guidance for growth and success for small business in the Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana areas.

State

Licenses and Permits (Ohio Secretary of State)

Information to help local business owners obtain required licenses and permits.

Ohio Air Quality Development Authority

Site provides resources, including financing options, for Ohio businesses to help meet air environmental requirements.

Ohio Development Services Agency (Business Services)

State agency site that provides information for small businesses, including a listings of programs, business grants and loans, forms, workshops, and business resources.

Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council, opens a new window

An affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) connecting minority business enterprises, corporations, and government entities.

Small Business Development Centers of Ohio

These centers provide free, professional, in-depth and confidential business consulting and training to new and existing entrepreneurs.

Starting Your Business in Ohio

Excellent state government checklist for small businesses. Learn about registering your business, incorporation, taxation, licensing and more.

Federal

County Business Patterns Tables

Economic profiles of counties and states for employment, payroll, and number of establishments by industry. Also includes Metro Business Patterns and Zip Code Business Patterns.

Export.gov

Portal to export-related assistance and market information including trade-leads, free export counseling, and more.

Federal Business Opportunities

One-stop site for vendors to explore information on Federal markets for business products and services.

NAICS - North American Industry Classification System, opens a new window

NAICS replaced the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system in 1997. The NAICS codes can be a gateway to industry data, as well as information on business competitors.

Small Business Administration

Federal assistance in buying, financing, and selling small businesses plus information on government contracting and a searchable database of business cards.

Small Business Administration - Federal Contracting

Official gateway for small businesses selling to the U.S. Government. Includes valuable information on the bidding process.

Small Business Administration - Starting a Business

Are you interested in starting a small business? Check out this very thorough web page from the Small Business Administration (SBA) covering many important topics, such as how to write a business plan, how to research business statistics, and how to market your business.

Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center (Internal Revenue Service)

IRS portal providing comprehensive tax information and forms for small business enterprises.

Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Programs

Links to government agencies offering seed funding to small businesses specializing in technology.

Small Business (USA.gov)

Comprehensive Federal Government web portal for small business owners that includes links to financial help, government contract opportunities, exporting advice, and easy to understand guides to federal regulations.