These sites are jointly recommended and maintained by librarians at Westminster Public Library and Front Range Community College Library.

BUSINESS

Companies & Marketing
General Business Sites
Investment and Finance
Patent and Trade
Small Business

General Business Sites  

• Colorado Business and Economic Information
  http://www.cde.state.co.us/stateinfo/slstpbizbib.htm
  Colorado Department of Education website. It includes general and specific resources to assist businesses plus information about economic development in the state.
   
• Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
  http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1162927366334&pagename=OEDIT%2FOEDITLayout
  Lists regulatory information needed to establish a Colorado business.
   
• NAICS (North American Industry Classification System)
  http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/
  The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is replacing the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. It includes:
  2002 NAICS and 1987 SIC Comparison Tables
  http://dor.wa.gov/content/aboutus/statisticsandreports/sic_vs_naics.aspx
  These tables allow user to compare numbers between the two systems for specific industries.
   
• ThomasNet
  http://www.thomasnet.com/
  This is an online version of the Thomas Register. Search for information about product or service, by company name, or by brand.
   
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
  http://www.sec.gov
  Their mission is to protect investors and maintain the integrity of the securities market.
  

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Investment and Finance

• Bankrate.com
  http://www.bankrate.com/
  Comprehensive consumer and finance site that provides rates on mortgage and car loans, credit cards, banks, and IRA comparison shopping. Also has online mortgage and loan calculators.
   
• Big Charts
  http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com
  Investment research site.  Good for historical, market, and industry data.
   
• The Dollar Stretcher
  http://www.stretcher.com/
  This website has numerous tips for saving money and living on less.
   
• Fool.com
  http://www.fool.com/
  Tips on stock picking.
   
• Investor Guide
  http://www.investorguide.com
  Portal to the investment world.
   
• Morningstar.com
  http://www.morningstar.com/
  Provides information on stocks and mutual funds.
   
• Treasury Direct
  http://www.treasurydirect.gov
  Government website that provides information about purchasing securities, including U.S. Savings Bonds, Treasury Notes, and more.

Patent and Trade

• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  http://www.uspto.gov
  Use this site to search patents and trademarks.
   
• U.S. Copyright Office
  http://www.copyright.gov/
  Legal protection for original works of authorship.

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Small Business

• Business Planning Tools
  http://www.bplans.com/contentkit/?affiliate=sba
  This SBA site presents two books in online format. 1)  an online planning book and 2) an online marketing book. It also provides dozens of sample business plans along with business calculators for start-up costs, cash flow, return on investment, and more.
   
• Business Plans Handbook
  http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/business-plans/
  Hundreds of actual business plans written by entrepreneurs seeking financing for their businesses.
   
• Chambers of Commerce
  Colorado
  http://www.coloradolinks.net/Colorado_Chamber_of_Commerce.htm
  United States
  http://www.uschamber.com/chambers/directory/default
  Chambers of Commerce are excellent contacts for small business owners to obtain information and also to make business contacts.
   
• Colorado Business Resource Guide
  http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/OEDIT/OEDIT/1154721645662
  Joint effort by the State of Colorado, Office of Economic Development, Department of Revenue, IRS, and U.S. Small Business Administration. Provides detailed information about laws, taxes, employer responsibilities, marketing, business plans, liabilities, copyright, and more.
   
• Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
  http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1162927366334&pagename=OEDIT%2FOEDITLayout
  This State of Colorado web site explores several government sponsored programs for small businesses, including:
  Small Business Development Centers
  http://coloradosbdc.com/
  Mnority and Women-Owned Business
  http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/OEDIT/OEDIT/1165009699718
  Occupational/Industry Licensing Database
  http://www.colorado.gov/oed/industry-license/
   
• The Entrepreneur's Reference Guide  to Small Business Information
  http://www.loc.gov/rr/business/guide/guide2/
  Prepared by the Library of Congress. Essentially a huge bibliography of books dealing with all facets of starting and running a small business.
   
• Federal Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colorado. Small business publications
  http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/results.tpl?id1=21&startat=1&--woSECTIONSdatarq=21&--SECTIONSword=ww
  This federal consumer web site provides information about publications pertaining to small business issues. Many are available for free online.
   
• North Metro Small Business Development Center at Front Range Community College
  http://www.frontrange.edu/smallbusiness/
  A good resource if you have or are thinking about forming a small business. They offer quality
  counseling for start-up businesses and executive coaching for existing businesses. Credit and non-credit classes are also offered.
   
• Reference for Business
  http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/
  This includes Encyclopedia of Small Business, Encyclopedia of Business, Business Biographies, Business Plans, Company Histories, and more.
   
• Small Business Administration
  http://www.sba.gov/
  Federal agency whose purpose is to help entrepreneurs form successful small businesses.
   
• Start a Business in Colorado
  http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CO-Portal/CXP/1165693060244
  State of Colorado site. Provides information about starting a business in Colorado.
   
• Tax Information For Business
  http://www.irs.gov/businesses/index.html
  An IRS web site. Provides information on tax rules and regulations for small and large business.
   
• U.S. Business Advisor
  http://www.business.gov/
  A U.S. government web site that provides small business information pertaining to business development, financial assistance, taxes, laws and regulations, international trade, workplace issues, and buying and selling with the U.S. government.

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Please send comments and suggestions to drhodes@cityofwestminster.us
Updated: 5/9/11