Small Business Information

LIBRARY REFERENCE SERVICES
INTERLIBRARY LOAN SERVICE
  • If we don't have it in our collection, we'll try to get it for you for free.* Any topic, any language -- from libraries across the nation and around the world. For more information, contact: Patricia Porter, Interlibrary Loan Coordinator, 843-470-6521, patriciap@bcgov.net.

    *Whenever lending libraries charge for the service, the library will ask you whether you wish to pursue the transaction.
FREE COUNSELING SERVICES
  • SCORE - Free counseling from experienced professionals by appointment. SCORE also offers workshops. Se habla español.
  • University of South Carolina Beaufort Small Business Development Center - Consultants are available at each location to give one-on-one consultation, to analyze business operations, develop business strategies, and provide marketing and economic information at no cost.
GRANT, LOAN AND TAX RESOURCES
  • Earned Income Credit: It’s easier than ever to find out if you qualify - The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families. When the EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the credit. To qualify, taxpayers must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if they did not earn enough money to be obligated to file a tax return. The EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food stamps, low-income housing or most Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) payments.
  • "Frequently-Asked Questions: Resources for Individual Grantseekers: For-Profit Enterprises" from the Foundation Center
    EN ESPAÑOL: ¿Dónde consigo información sobre ayuda financiera para empezar un negocio o pequeña empresa?
  • GovLoans.gov - A collaboration of five federal agencies -- U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, this single point of access for federal loan information on the Web allows browsing by topic. Includes a glossary of loan terms and links to additional resources.
  • Grants.gov - The federal government's central storehouse for information on over 1,000 grant programs and provides access to approximately $500 billion in annual awards.
  • Internal Revenue Service: Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource - A guide for employers to federal and state tax and wage reporting information. It walks employers through the process of starting a business, hiring employees, and understanding reporting requirements. It also links to the commonly used tax forms and publications, electronic filing services, state tax offices, and other tax-related websites.
  • MicroLoans: U.S. Small Business Administration - Source of very small loans to start-up, newly established, or growing small business concerns. Under this program, SBA makes funds available to nonprofit community based lenders (intermediaries) which, in turn, make loans to eligible borrowers in amounts up to a maximum of $35,000. The average loan size is about $13,000. Applications are submitted to the local intermediary and all credit decisions are made on the local level.
  • Online Women's Business Center - Includes grant resources. From the U.S. Small Business Administration.
  • SBA Office of International Trade - See "Resouces" links for current loan opportunities.
  • Resources for Small, Minority, Women-Owned Businesses - Offers a wealth of links to resources designedto help the small, minority, women-owned and other disadvantaged businesses. The site is created and maintained by Deborah Kluge, independent consultant.
  • USDA Rural Development - Federal loans and grants to support rural communities and spur economic development.
    EL SITIO EN ESPAÑOL: Desarrollo Rural
FORMS
  • SBA Small Business Forms - A quick source of small business forms for | Financial Assistance | Disaster Assistance | Technical Assistance | Contracting & Surety Bonding | 8(a) Business Development Forms | IRS and OSHA | Miscellaneous Purposes.
  • Federal Small Business - Forms from Formsgov, "The Federal Government's Official Hub for Federal Forms."
GUIDES BUSINESS DICTIONARIES
  • Busines A to Z: A Glossary of Business Terms - "The glossary contains more than 1,250 business terms, organized and cross-referenced for your convenience. You can search the glossary for a particular word or search the full text of the glossary to find every reference to a word or phrase. Or, if you're a bit old-fashioned, you can browse the glossary at your leisure using the index." From Washingtonpost.com.
WORKPLACE LITERACY SENIOR CITIZENS FREELANCERS
  • Idealists.org - This multilingual site is a directory of nearly 50,000 nonprofit organizations in over 160 countries. Individuals can find jobs, volunteer opportunities, internships, programs, campaigns, and events.
    EL SITIO EN ESPAÑOL: Idealistasorg
BUSINESS PLANS AND OTHER FORMS
  • Templates for your business, from SCORE - A "gallery" of basic business forms to download as Word, Excel and PDF files.
  • Write a Business Plan - Strategic Planning | Learn to strategize for success | Essential Elements of a Good Business Plan For Growing Companies | Outlines how to write your plan | Writing the Business Plan | Detailed, step-by-step explanations | Using the plan ... and much more. From the U. S. Small Business Administration.
START-UP TOOLKIT
  • SBDCNet Information Clearinghouse- "links of interest to the budding entrepreneur, the established small business owner, and the business researcher including: business plans, industry information, and associations, and publications." From the Small Business Development Center (SBDCNET), a program of the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA).
CERTIFICATION
  • South Carolina Office of Small and Minority Business Affairs - The office certifies that a South Carolina business is owned, controlled and operated by a socially and economically disadvantaged minority who is a U. S. citizen. There are no loans, grants or guaranteed award of contracts associated with obtaining certification. Businesses are encouraged to participate in any agency’s bid process. Agency solicitations are advertised in the S. C. Business Opportunities (SCBO) publication issued by the Materials Management Office.
COMPANY DIRECTORIES
  • Reference USA - In-depth information on thousands of corporations, large and small. Visit your nearest Beaufort County Library Branch to learn how registered borrowers can access ReferenceUSA from their PCs -- immediately and free of charge!
ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS GENERAL TOPICS
  • Business.gov: The Official Business Link to the U.S. Government - A searchable and browsable guide through the maze of government rules and regulations and to services and resources to help you start, grow, and succeed in business. Covers launching, managing, growing, and getting out of a business. Managed by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
  • Entrepreneur.com - For the entrepreneur or small business owner, this site contains information on starting and financing a business, sales and marketing, developing a business plan, buying a franchise, and more.
    EL SITIO EN ESPAÑOL: Entrepreneur en Español.com.
  • Google Maps: Local Business Center - Add your business to Google Maps results.
  • Insure U for Small Business - Information, tips and considerations about insurance for owners of small companies and home-based businesses." Insurance topics include workers' compensation, business property and liability, commercial auto, and group health and disability. Also includes a quiz. From the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
  • Online Women's Business Center - Information on starting, running, and marketing a business, with articles, a forum, a section of Frequently Asked Questions, and links to related sites. The information is directed at women but would be of interest to any entrepreneur. Some information and links available in several other languages. Includes grant resources. From the U.S. Small Business Administration.
  • Open for Business - A handbook for the small to mid-sized business owner, with information for safeguarding a business in the face of a disaster, such as hurricane or fire. Features a set of forms that will help you build a customized business continuity plan. From the Institute for Business and Home Safety.
  • Small Business Administration - Learn about SBA-backed loans, government contracting opportunities, disaster assistance and training programs to help your business succeed. "Special Audience" links on home page provide information particularly for women, veterans, Native Americans, young and 50+ entrepreneurs, opportunity gaps and international trade.
    EL SITIO EN ESPAÑOL: Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa.
  • SBA Office of International Trade - The office works in cooperation with other federal agencies and public- and private-sector groups to encourage small business exports and to assist small businesses seeking to export." This searchable site contains FAQs and publications, including a guide to exporting, online forms, information on trade finance programs, and lists of events, banks participating in SBA programs, and Export Assistance Centers.
  • SBDCNet: National Information Clearinghouse - Links of interest to the budding entrepreneur, the established small business owner, and the business researcher including: business plans, industry information, associations, Spanish language business documents, and publications." From the Small Business Development Center (SBDCNET), a program of the U.S. Small Business Association.
TESTING RESOURCES
  • Learning Express - Online practice tests in a wide range of vocational fields. Learning Express scores your work and explains any errors. Visit your nearest Beaufort County Library Branch to learn how registered borrowers can access Learning Express (LearnATest) --immediately and free of charge!

    Our reference staff will be happy to locate test preparation resources in book form as well, on our own shelves or through loans from other libraries.
FREE NOTARY PUBLIC SERVICE
  • Ileana Herrick, Beaufort County Library Administrative Assistant, will assist you as South Carolina Notary Public Monday -Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The offices are located in the Beaufort Branch Library (2nd Floor), 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC 29902. Map
    Se habla español.
    Please make an appointment: Telephone 843-470-6548, iherrick@bcgov.net
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE & BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS DATABASES
  • Small Business Research Center icon Small Business Research Center - Search this Gale Cengage Learning database to learn how to start, finance or manage your small business. Resources include sample business plans, how to guides, articles and websites. Visit your nearest Beaufort County Library Branch to learn how registered borrowers can access ReferenceUSA from their PCs -- immediately and free of charge! From DISCUS.
  
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