SBDC Resources
Biz Info Resource Center: MNSBDC Clients
Federal Agencies
Federal Trade Commission
Enforces a variety of federal antitrust and consumer
protection laws and works to eliminate unfair or deceptive
practices. Regulates franchises at the federal level and
offers a number of publications for prospective franchisors
and franchisees.
Internal Revenue Service
Enforces federal tax laws. Numerous forms and publications
may be downloaded from web site.
U.S. Department of Commerce
Offers a number of programs and services to assist
businesses including but are not limited to international
trade programs, export regulation, economic development
programs and minority business development assistance. Also
houses the U.S. Patent and Trademark office and offers
assistance in the areas of technology and
telecommunications.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
The location for filing patents and registering trademarks.
Offers informative publications on patent and trademark
processes.
U.S.
Small Business Administration
Provides financial, technical and management assistance to
help individuals start, run, and grow their businesses.
Offers extensive on-line tutorials and other valuable
information to prospective and existing business owners.
Minnesota State Agencies
Department of Administration
Offers opportunities for small businesses to sell products
and services to the State of Minnesota and provides a
variety of services to state agencies and units of local
government.
Department of Commerce
Regulates the banking, energy, insurance, real estate,
residential construction, securities, and telecommunications
industries. Handles registration of franchises offered for
sale in Minnesota.
Department of Labor and Industry
Administers a variety of programs that affect employers and
employees, including but not limited to occupational safety
and health, workplace safety consultation, labor standards
information and enforcement, apprenticeship, code
administration and inspection, and workers compensation.
Pollution Control Agency Small Business Assistance
Program
Offers free, non-regulatory, confidential environmental
assistance to small businesses. Assists with compliance
issues and offers pollution prevention opportunities to
reduce regulatory burdens.
Department of Revenue
Enforces the state’s tax laws and offers numerous forms
and publications to assist businesses and individuals with
state tax compliance.
Secretary of State
Source for filing business-related legal documents such as
articles of incorporation, articles of organization,
trademark registrations, assumed business names and others
Department of Employment and Economic Development
Provides economic development assistance to businesses and
communities. Offers numerous publications of interest to
existing and prospective businesses, and sponsors the Small
Business Development Center network.
Unemployment Insurance Division
Administers the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Law, provides
self-service online system access as well as information
and assistance regarding the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance
Program to employers and unemployed workers.
Workforce
Centers
Provides information and assistance to businesses seeking
employees and job seekers, operates a job bank, provides
labor market information and operates special programs such
as assistance to job seekers.
Other Organizations
SCORE
Experienced business people provide counseling and training
to existing and prospective small business owners. Web site
offers tutorials and other valuable information.
BizLinks
Offers links to web sites maintained by state agencies and
others that deal with business-related topics such as
start-up, regulations, unemployment insurance, labor laws,
and taxes.
Minnesota Inventors Congress
Assists inventors by providing information and linkages.
Sponsors annual Inventors Congress.
Small
Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology
Transfer Program
Assists Minnesota businesses with government opportunities
for research and development, and sales of products and
services.
Minnesota Safety Council
A private, non-for-profit organization that assists
businesses and individuals with safety issues by offering
training, consultation, outreach programs and safety
resources. On-line tools help employers manage environmental
health and safety.
Northern Tier High Technology Corridor
The Northern Tier provides a virtual place for YOU to set up
a virtual discussion area that includes the ability to
conduct an on-line discussion, create team rooms, implement
online chat capabilities, create a collaborative project
calendar, and view or upload research documents, white
papers, presentations, or other correspondence.
Virtual Entrepreneurial Network
Interactive web-based resource to help Minnesota businesses
start or grow. Offers business development and management
resources tailored to specific stages of business
development.