Small Business Resources
Government Websites
Massachusetts Government Website
Business Resources, https://www.mass.gov/topics/business-resources
Starting Your Business in Massachusetts, https://www.mass.gov/starting-your-business
Massachusetts Trial Court Libraries Website
The Massachusetts Trial Court Libraries provide a variety of online and book resources for small business owners in Massachusetts.
Corporations
Limited Liability Companies
Small Businesses
Corporations Division:
Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin's Office
The Corporations Division examines, files, and maintains forms related to entities doing business in Massachusetts. Limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, service marks, trademarks, and uniform commercial code (UCC) filings are also made with the Corporations Division.
U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration provides counseling, loans, loan guarantees, contracts, and other forms of assistance to small businesses. SBA's programs also include financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management assistance, and specialized outreach to women, minorities and armed forces veterans. SBA provides loans to victims of natural disasters and specialized advice and assistance in international trade. In addition to the SBA’s many online training, forms, grants, and other resources, the local SBA office is an excellent resource for any small business starting out in Massachusetts.
The SBA Massachusetts District Office is located in Boston, with a branch office in Springfield. Classes are offered throughout the state. For local information including links to area workshops, mentoring programs, loan providers, and more.
SBA Small Business Development Centers are located throughout the state. The lead center is on the UMass Amherst campus.
SCORE, supported by SBA, is a nonprofit association of thousands of volunteer business counselors throughout the U.S. and its territories. The Boston office also has Satellite Counseling Branches throughout the area. Use SCORE to find a mentor, sign up for workshops, and access various tools and templates.
The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) "provides opportunities for women entrepreneurs and women in business to increase professional success, personal growth, and financial Independence." CWE offers programs at its locations in Boston, Westborough (Massachusetts), Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont, as well as online learning opportunities.
The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) is designed to provide services such as business training; counseling and mentoring; and referrals for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business.
USA.gov: Small Business
The Small Business section of USA.gov provides official government resources on starting a small business, getting financing help from the government, and more. Includes information on business taxes, importing and exporting, federal government contracting, and starting a nonprofit organization.
Free Websites
Stanford Technology Ventures Program (STVP) eCorner is a free online archive of entrepreneurship resources for teaching and learning. The site provides access to lectures by leading entrepreneurs and business leaders.
The Kauffman Foundation created Entrepreneurship.org as an online resource to help entrepreneurs grow great ideas. The site provides innovative educational tools, informative channels covering the latest issues and insights affecting entrepreneurs, and a popular events section that gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to connect.
Associations
National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) provides its membership with how-to resources, benefits, legislative advocacy, college scholarships, and more.
New England Business Association is a private, not-for-profit association whose membership is made up of CEO’s of small, privately-funded businesses and family-owned businesses located throughout the six New England states. The association provides its members with networking opportunities, programming, health insurance, legislative activities, and more.
Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC) "advances business opportunities for certified Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American business enterprises and connects them to corporate members. One of the region’s leading corporate membership organizations, GNEMSDC was incorporated in 1975 to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes." GNEMSDC is an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council and serves the 6 New England states: MA, CT, RI, ME, NH, and VT.
The Boston Public Library Kirstein Business Library
The Kirstein Business Library offers career and job hunting information, entrepreneurial resources, assistance to investors, and maintains a variety of business directories and industry statistics. The librarians there are business experts who can help you to find answers to many of your business questions.
Library Books
Click here to search the Minuteman Catalog for books on small business and entrepreneurship.
Library Databases
- Gale Business: Plan Builder
- Gale eBooks (business reference books)
- Morningstar Investment Research Center
- Reference Solutions
- Value Line Research Center
Visit our E-Resources page for access.
Last updated on 09-17-2020