Brooklyn's Progress
June 2004

The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced the launch of a Web site that will serve as the business gateway for U.S. businesses to connect with federal agencies, providing specific business tools and resources. Currently in its initial phase, Business.gov is a powerful Web site that will provide one-stop, online federal government information and services that businesses need and can access in one easy-to-find location.

“In today’s fast-paced marketplace, small business owners don’t have time to go to dozens of Web sites to find information they need to run their business. Today we are providing them with a single, convenient Web site where they can access vital business information quickly, giving them more time to do what they do best: grow their businesses and create jobs,” said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto.

Business.gov provides information and links to: 

• Business Development: information on starting, managing, and marketing a business.
• Financial Assistance: resources for capital and credit.
• Taxes: federal and state tax resources, forms and assistance.
• Laws and Regulations: Laws, regulations and other resources that affect business.
• International Trade: information on export promotion, trade finance, and trade leads.
• Workplace Issues: information on employee wellness, workplace safety, benefits, and the family-friendly workplace.
• Buying and Selling: links for doing business with the government 
• Federal forms: finding government forms businesses need to conduct business, expand and grow.

Business.gov is slated to add more resources by the Fall of 2004, including more information, sources and links designed to help businesses get the right information at the right time from home or office and on their desktops, laptops or PDAs. Business.gov also will add special “wizards” to help businesses find answers to their questions, fill out forms, save time and be more productive.

One of the 24 e-government initiatives of the federal government, http://www.business.gov/, is an official Web site of the U.S. Government and is operated and maintained by the SBA.