Small Business Assistance

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers many loan and technical assistance programs, including special programs for women, minorities, and veterans, as well as the addresses of lead agencies in each state and U.S. territory.  It also provides a review of federal assistance programs for disadvantaged businesses.  Please note that while it awards some grants to organizations providing small business assistance to individuals, SBA does not offer monetary grants to individuals to start up or expand small businesses.

SBA's website offers a full range of fact sheets, program information, loan applications, regulations, suggestions on inexpensive software, and guides to state and local resources.  Calendars and schedules of SBA-sponsored programs in each state can be found by selecting state and local SBA offices at the SBA website.

SBA has a toll-free number for inquiries 1-800-UASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722) that is available from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday.  The SBA also has local offices with staff who can provide assistance; a list of these local offices is included online.

The U.S. Small Business Administration also provides information related to The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  The ADA gives federal civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, State and local government services, and telecommunications.

Small Business Assistance

Congressman Grijalva recognizes the important role that small businesses play in our economic recovery.  The purpose of this section is to provide information for small businesses, including links to state and federal agencies dedicated to assisting businesses and entrepreneurs to secure loans, export their products and contract with the government.

All small business owners are invited to join the Congressional District 3 Small Business Advisory Council (SBAC) to provide their perspectives, concerns, and guidance to support small businesses in Southern Arizona. The council meets several times a year to discuss ideas, barriers and government policies in order to improve the development and growth of Arizona small businesses. For more information on the SBAC and to join, please contact Ruben.Reyes@mail.house.gov.

Local Small Business Resources

SCORE
http://www.score.org/
The SCORE organization provides free and confidential small business advice for entrepreneurs.  On the website, you can find business tools and resources, get help creating your own business plan, and get one-on-one advice from retired entrepreneurs.

Small Business Information

http://smallbusiness.com/
Find the knowledge you need to help you start, run and grow your business by using the Category Hub to browse by topic.

Arizona Commerce Authority

http://www.azcommerce.com/

The ACA provides services and information to help entrepreneurs “start, operate, and grow a business in Arizona”.

State of Arizona Department of Revenue

http://www.azdor.gov/Business.aspx

Arizona’s Department of Revenue site provides information on business licensing and taxes.

Federal Government Resources for Small Business

Small Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov/
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers many loan and technical assistance programs, including special programs for women, minorities, and veterans, as well as the addresses of lead agencies in each state and U.S. territory.  It also provides a review of federal assistance programs for disadvantaged businesses.  Please note that while it awards some grants to organizations providing small business assistance to individuals, SBA does not offer monetary grants to individuals to start up or expand small businesses.

Business Opportunities with the Federal Government
Learn more at our federal business page
This information gateway, prepared by the Congressional Research Service for Members of Congress, provides guidance and online procurement procedures for doing business with the federal government.

Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance
http://grijalva.house.gov/federal-grants-funding-assistance/
Guidance and key resources to help eligible grantseekers find information on federal grants, loans, and nonfinancial assistance for projects, as well as on private funding. Prepared by the Congressional Research Service for Members of Congress.

U.S. Government export portal
http://export.gov/
Export.gov brings together resources from across the U.S. Government to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and succeed in today’s global marketplace.

U.S. Government Central Contractor Registration
https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/
Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is the official, FREE on-line registrant database for the U.S. Federal Government. CCR collects, validates, stores and disseminates data in support of agency acquisition and award missions. You do not need pay to register in CCR.

GovBenefits.gov
http://www.benefits.gov/
GovBenefits.gov is a partnership of federal agencies with a shared vision: providing improved, personalized access to government assistance programs.

Department of Agriculture Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
http://www.dm.usda.gov/osdbu/
USDA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) was established June 26, 1979 pursuant to Public Law (P.L.) 95-507, which assigned it the task of fostering the use of small, disadvantaged and women-owned businesses as federal contractors.

Department of Commerce Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
http://www.osec.doc.gov/osdbu/About_Us.html
The goals of the OSDBU are to institutionalize the use of small businesses and to fully integrate them into the U.S. Department of Commerce's competitive base of contractors. The DOC OSDBU itself is not a procurement office, but serves as a liaison between the small business community and the DOC procurement offices.

Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs
http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/
We advise the Secretary of Defense on all matters related to small business and are committed to maximizing the contributions of small business in DoD acquisitions. We provide leadership and governance to the Military Departments and Defense Agencies to meet the needs of the nations' Warfighters, creating opportunities for small businesses while ensuring each tax dollar is spent responsibly.

Department of Energy Office of Economic Impact and Diversity
http://energy.gov/diversity/working-us/small-businesses
The U.S. Department of Energy is committed to increasing the contracting opportunities awarded to small and disadvantaged businesses, establishing goals, promulgating policy, and developing practices and programs to encourage and increase small business participation in departmental procurement opportunities, and guiding small and disadvantaged businesses through the process of contracting with the Federal government. Specifically, the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Utilization assists small, disadvantaged, 8(a), women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones.

Department of Health and Human Services Small Business Programs
http://www.hhs.gov/about/smallbusiness/
HHS is committed to helping small businesses in their pursuit of health and human services related contracts. Learn about our opportunities for you to learn about HHS, its contracting opportunities, and how we can do business together.

Department of Labor OSDBU's Small Business Resource Center
http://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/osdbu/sbrefa/
Welcome to the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Web page designed to assist small business owners understand the rules and regulations the Department administers.

Department of Interior Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
http://www.doi.gov/pmb/osdbu/index.cfm

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization provides outreach and assistance for procurement and contracting opportunities that supports small businesses.

Department of Transportation Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
http://www.osdbu.dot.gov/
The US Department of Transportation's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (DOT/OSDBU) was created as part of the Small Business Act (SBA) to ensure that small and disadvantaged businesses are provided maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the agency's contracting process. Pursuant to Public Law 95-507, every federal agency is required to have an OSDBU, which, by statute, reports directly to the head of the agency.

Department of Housing and Urban Development Small Business Programs
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/sdb/about/sbtypes
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is committed to providing universal access to both small businesses and large businesses. The Agency recognizes that small businesses are of vital importance to job growth and the economic strength of the country. A successful and strong business community is an integral component of the Department's overall mission of job creation, community empowerment and economic revitalization. This site provides information to assist in your marketing and educational efforts.

Department of Veterans Affairs Small Business Programs
http://www.vetbiz.gov/
This website provides up-to-the-minute information from the federal government on Service-Disabled and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.