Link to resources for those starting a business - licensing information, forms of organization, start-up checklist, etc.
Link to Resources to help you grow your business, including government contracting
 Link to Articles/Information about Successful Entrepreneurs
 Link to Business Education Resources in the Inland NW & beyondLink to Business Planning Resources, sample plans, templates
Link to Free Counseling resources available in the Inland Northwest and OnlineLink to Funding Resources (Loans, Grants, Venture Capital) Link to listing of BIC Library resources by topicLink to Marketing information/resources
Link to Information & Statistics (Demographics, Industry-Related, Tax, etc.)
Link to Workforce Development/Management Resources in the Inland NW

Link to Economic Development Organizations
Link to International Trade Resources, Organizations
Link to Technology Organizations, ResourcesLink to New Product Introduction/Research & Development (R&D) Resources
Link to Public Policy/Advocacy Resources, Organizations

Link to resources for minority-owned businesses, also shows benefits of a diverse workforce and ways to achieveLink to resources for women in business
Link to Calendars of Interest to Entrepreneurs
 Link to "What's New"
 Logo and Link to Biz Street Spokane - the Spokane Regional Chamber's resource for Small Business

Small Business Spokane & the Inland NW - a service of the Spokane Area Business Information Center (BIC)

What's New!

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What's Happening - Special Events, New Programs, Links & Training Opportunities
Free Tax Seminars at the BIC each month! Do you own or manage a small business? Planning ahead can save you time, simplify your life, and maybe even reduce your taxes. Even if you have your taxes prepared by a professional, taking just a few hours to learn the important basics will benefit you as well as your tax preparer. It may even save you some tax preparation fees. Learn from someone who has extensive experience assisting small businesses in our area. The workshop presenters are experienced local tax professionals who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to assist the small business community. Check out the current schedule!
"New"Is Your Business Certifiable? Help in Government Contracting, Spokane, WA  November 18, 10:30-11:30am, the WA State Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprise (OMWBE) will describe the benefits of certification with the state for minority & women-owned firms, and how to apply. Cost: Free. A free Business Loan Briefing will be held at the same location at 11:45am. For more information or to register call the BIC at 509-353-2800, or you can register by filling out the Registration Form online and faxing it to: (509) 353-2600.
"New""Analyze Your Market Effectively to Grow" ,Nov. 16, 2004,5:30-8:30pm by AHANA. Mr. Nigel Davey will provide effective understanding of business analysis and how valuable this data can be in making good business decisions. Location: Deaconess Medical Educational Center, 910 W. 5th Ave., Spokane. Cost: Donation requested. For more information contact AHANA - 509..., or ahana@ahanabusiness.org.
"New"The Three Rivers Venture Group is presenting "Partnering in the Global Marketplace...How to Outsource, Insource, and Out-Perform" Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004 from 7:15-8:30am. No Charge, continental breakfast provided. You must pre-register by November 12 to attend. Location: Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Drive, Richland, WA. To register or for more information, contact Gracie Downard
509.375.2803, or Andrea McMakin 509.372.6013.
"New"7th Annual Economic Forecast, Sponsored by Eastern Washington University, Payne Financial Group, Spokane Area Economic Development Council, U.S. Bank, and the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. Thursday, November 18, 2004, 7:30-10am. Location: The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post Street, Spokane, WA 99201. Presented in partnership with the Spokane Journal of Business and the Inland Northwest Partners, the 7th Annual Economic Forecast will provide attendees with the economic outlook for 2005 at the national, regional and local levels. Cost: $35. (If rec'd after 11/12, cost $50). Register online at the Chamber Web Site.
"New"Local Procurement Fair 2004 Sponsored by Spokane Chamber's Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Tuesday, November 30, 2004, 7:00 - 11:00 am. Location: The Ridpath Hotel, 515 W. Sprague, Spokane, WA Don't miss this unique opportunity. The event will provide your business a chance to meet with procurement professionals from all sectors of government and the private sector in one location! Opening session will include introductions of the organizations present and upcoming procurement opportunities. Register today for this FREE event!

A new federal web portal and resource center for grants has been established: www.Grants.gov - check it out! Then learn the TRUTH about FREE MONEY! and small business grants at the Washington State SBDC Website.
Be sure to check out the area calendars for the Inland NW! 
Check out these pages!
The City of Spokane's interactive GIS mapping website provides a variety of geographic, environmental and demographic information that is extremely helpful to small business owners. You can access demographic data by clicking on the Search tab. You can create demographic reports from the 2000 census data based on zip codes, neighborhoods or custom searches.
Over 300 forms, logs, checklists, letters, tables, schedules, and even policies can be downloaded for FREE from Office Depot.

Are bad checks a problem for your business? Check out the Washington Hot Check Network, it links to each county's Check Enforcement Program. Just insert your county's name (no quotes) after the basic URL listed.
Free small business resources, business plans, marketing plans, financial templates and worksheets, forums, news, and links to free business counseling for all 50 states can be found at ItsSimple.biz.
BusinessLaw.gov - link and logoBusinessLaw.gov link and logoBusinessLaw.gov & SBA logo
SBA Website with legal and regulatory information for small businesses across the country. It includes plain English guides on the legal aspects of starting or buying a business, handling finances, managing employees, doing business and getting out of business.
Washington State Department of General Administration  website provides government contracting opportunities.  Washington's Electronic Business Solution, or WEBS, is a new Internet vendor registration and bid notification system. The new system offers one online site where vendors can register to receive government bid notifications. Governmental buyers will be able to go to the same site to post bidding opportunities and amendments. WEBS will provide vendors with an automatic e-mail notification of new opportunities when a bid for one of their commodities is posted. The new service is free to vendors and users. For more information or to register.
The International Trade Alliance has a great international site for the Inland NW. Learn about market trends, summits, trade missions and training events. A valuable resource for exporters!
A new site by the Municipal Research & Services Center of Washington provides information on city and county licensing requirements in the State of Washington.
Get Information on Wages, by area or type, employer information, online publications and more from Washington State's Labor Market Information site.
Looking for legal information? www.nolo.com offers a legal encyclopedia that covers accidents to zoning, information on patents, trademarks, taxes, and small business topics. It also allows you to search specific state statutes and has draft forms online. It is not a substitute for an attorney, but it does offer good general explanations on a lot of topics.

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