Business Resources

The second floor of the Main Library has many resources to help you invest, find information about a specific business or businesses, start a small business, form a nonprofit, look for grants and more. Come to the second floor reference desk in the Main Library, call 560-0110, or use our Ask a Librarian service for more information

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Bureau of Labor Statistics
Statistics include unemployment rates, average earnings and consumer price index.

Business.gov
Simplifies finding information from many federal and state agency websites in one place. Useful for finding out about business licenses and permits as well as starting small businesses.

Business Licenses for North Carolina Website
Contains information regarding licenses required by N.C. State Agencies and Occupational Licensing Boards. If you have questions about licensing requirements for your specific business, please call the North Carolina Business ServiCenter at (800) 228-8443.

Business Plan Handbook
Business Plans Handbook is a collection of actual business plans compiled by entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses throughout North America. For those looking for examples of how to approach, structure and compose their own business plans, the Handbook presents many sample plans taken from businesses in the manufacturing, retail and service industries -- only the company names and addresses have been changed.

Business Source Premier
Search through over 2300 national and international business journals as well as company profiles, country reports, industry profiles, and market research reports. This database is useful for small business owners, investors, managers and business students. Includes Entrepeneur magazine.

Entrepreneurial Studies Center
Covers topics relevant to entrepreneurship, economics, and small business, including case studies, company profiles and 600+ videos with transcripts from the Harvard Faculty Series and Vator.TV
Hoover's
Hoover's is a business research platform that allows you to search U.S. and international company listings by industry, size, & geography to build lists, create marketing plans, conduct competitive analysis and raise funds.

Incorporate or Form a Limited Liability in North Carolina Website
Provides instructions, forms and fees. You can also search for existing corporations and limited liabilities by name or registered agent.

Morningstar
Covers mutual funds, stocks, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the individual investor. Read in-depth, independent stock and fund reports written by experts with the proprietary Morningstar Rating and Style Box. Test your investing ideas with the Portfolio X-Ray Overview. Need help? More than 150 topics are covered in the Help and Education section.

North Carolina Online Business Registration

Register your new business with the North Carolina Department of Revenue online instead of mailing in the NC-BR form for Income Tax Withholding, Sales and Use Tax, and Machinery, Equipment, and Manufacturing Fuel Tax. Please call the Taxpayer Assistance and Collections Center at 1-877-252-3052 if you have any questions.

Reference USA
Business and residential information for reference and research

Regional Business News
The full text of regional business newsletters from the mid ninteies to the present including Business North Carolina, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, and other newsletters from around the country.

Simply Maps
Get business and marketing data for almost any location in the United States to help you write your business plan.

Small Business Administration
Provides assistance on starting, expanding, and financing a small business.

Small Business Reference Center
Provides information on common business types, a help and advice section, and how to create business plans that lead to successful funding. Includes business lectures and ‘how to’ videos, as well as state-specific resources.

Last Update: January 17, 2012