Industry Resources

• 8(a) Business Development
  This office serves to foster business ownership by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and to promote competitive viability of such firms.
• Latin Business Association
  Established in 1976 as a private nonprofit organization, the LBA is the largest US Latino business entity by virtue of total active membership and overall outreach to Latino business owners.
• Minority Business Development Agency
  This agency funds Business Development Centers nationwide to help with start-up, expansion and acquisition of minority-owned businesses.
• National Association of Minority Contractors
  The NAMC is a nonprofit trade association established in 1969 to address the needs and concerns of minority contractors.
• US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  Since its inception in 1979, the USHCC has worked towards bringing the issues and concerns of the nation's more than 1.2 million Hispanic-owned businesses to the forefront of the national economic agenda.

From NACCE's Wesbite:

• We believe community colleges are in an ideal position to further entrepreneurship based on their accessibility and local ties to their communities.
• NACCE helps community colleges nationwide link their traditional role of workforce development with entrepreneurial development.
• The result is innovative ideas and programs that advance economic growth and prosperity in the communities served by the colleges.

• American Business Women's Association
  ABWA has dedicated more than 50 years to women's education, and has provided workplace skills and career-development training for more than 545,000 members.
• National Association of Women Business Owners
  NAWBO is the only dues-based national organization representing the interests of women entrepreneurs in all types of business.
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council
  The WBENC (pronounced wee-bank), created in 1997, is dedicated to enhancing opportunities for women's business enterprises in America's major business markets.

• National Association for the Self-Employed
  NASE is a leading resource for the self-employed and microbusinesses, bringing a broad range of benefits to help entrepreneurs succeed and to drive the continued growth of this segment of the American economy.
• The Newsletter and Online Magazine for Work at Home Moms
  WAHM is dedicated to promoting WAHM businesses; providing information about legitimate home-based opportunities; and providing tips, advice, and entertainment for WAHMs.

• Franchise and Business Opportunities
  This publication outlines the FTC disclosure rules regarding franchising, and other business entities.
• International Franchise Association
  The IFA, founded in 1960, is a membership organization of franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers.
• Entrepreneur: Franchises
  The magazines website secion on franchises.
• California Electronic Access to Securities & Franchise Information
  The website has securities and franchise filings

"Procurement” is the term that describes the activities and processes to acquire goods and services. Importantly, and distinct from “purchasing”, procurement involves the activities involved in establishing fundamental requirements, sourcing activities such as market research and vendor evaluation and negotiation of contracts. It can also include the purchasing activities required to order and receive goods.

• APTAC: Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
  The principle objective of APTAC is to establish and maintain a national forum to conduct training and provide for the exchange of ideas and information.
• Defense Logistics Agency
  Many states have their own procurement offices, such as PTACs which encourage contract development for small business.
• HUBZSone Empowerment Contracting Program
  Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program allows small firms located in many urban and rural areas to qualify for sole-source and other types of federal contract benefits.
• Industrial Quick Search Manufacturer Directory  
• Created by Industrial Quick Search (IQS®), IQS Directory is a FREE, comprehensive listing of manufacturers and suppliers serving major segments of the OEM industrial manufacturing marketplace across the United States and Canada. Industrial engineers and buyers rely on IQS Directory to specify products within a series of categories and buy products directly from manufacturers.
• Institute for Supply Management
• Founded in 1915, the ISM is a communication link with more than 48,000 purchasing and supply management professionals. ISM is a progressive association with a mission to provide national and international leadership in purchasing and materials management, particularly in the areas of education, research and standards of excellence.
• ThomasNet: Directory of Suppliers and Manufacturers
  Find qualified manufacturers, distributors, MRO providers and custom manufacturers. Source over products with new parametric search technology powered by an engineer-built classification system.  Accelerate the design process with millions of downloadable 2D and 3D CAD models from leading manufacturers.

Since 1934, the SEC has required disclosure in forms and documents. In 1984, EDGAR began collecting electronic documents to help investors get information. The SEC's new system requires data disclosure — the next step to improve how investors find and use information.

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