Business Research
1st Stop Business Connection
The 1st Stop Business Connection provides free business start-up information for entrepreneurs. A personalized business information kit may be created, which includes basic information about starting a business, including the necessary state regulations and forms.
Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio
This site includes several useful business directories which provide company ratings and reports, a list of BBB members, local chambers of commerce, and much more.
Business and Company Resource Center
This database brings together a wide variety of in-depth global business information enabling users to efficiently research career and investment opportunities, competitive intelligence, and business case studies for more than 450,000 companies.
Business.Ohio.gov
This portal to state government information for business links users to a variety of forms and agencies, and offers many useful tools.
COMBA Central Ohio Minority Business Association
The COMBA website contains information about finding funding, bidding on government contracts, the empowerment zone, and more. In addition, this site offers phone numbers to call COMBA and other small business advocates for further information.
Current Industrial Reports
Monthly, quarterly, and annual measures of industrial activity helpful for market analysis, forecasting, and decision-making in the private sector.
Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber strives to lead and support economic growth and development for the Greater Columbus Community. Read the latest articles about the Columbus market, search the member directory, check out the calendar of events, discover their many business services, and much more.
Hoover’s Industry Information
Covers more than 300 industries listed within 28 sectors. Look within each industry topic for free company information. The serious researcher may choose to purchase in-depth company profiles and other reports.
JumpUp Small Business Community
A one-stop resource for information on business plans, marketing options, and small business news, as well as an online community of small business owners similar to MySpace for the first-time entrepreneur.
Martindale.com
A site with information for consumers and legal professionals, Martindale enables you to locate a lawyer, search for legal articles, keep aware of professional development opportunities, and more.
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is replacing the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. This site shows the correspondence between NAICS and SIC. The new industries, sectors and code systems are also detailed.
Ohio Business Gateway
This state of Ohio site offers a wealth of information on business taxes, selected business tax registrations, electronic filing options and more.
SBA Columbus District Office
The Small Business Administration Columbus District Office serves sixty counties in the northwest, central and southern parts of Ohio. On this site, find the district calendar of events and the names and phone numbers of local organizations offering services, financial assistance and management advice to small businesses.
SBA Small Business Administration
The United States Small Business Administration provides financial, technical, and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. Visit this site for a wealth of information resources including forms, opportunities, SIC/NAICS code help, advice, and more.
SIC: Standard Industrial Classification Search
Through this site, you can search the 1987 version of the SIC manual by keyword to access descriptive information for a specified 4-digit SIC, and examine the manual structure. You can also search by specific 4-digit SIC number.
Thomas Register
This online version of the Thomas Register is the most comprehensive resource for industrial information, products, services, CAD drawings, and more…
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Click on the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) to visit a searchable database of the registered patents and trademarks in the United States. Also on this site, find forms and filing instructions.
State of Ohio Business Services Division
This business information site features a wide variety of information from the office of the Secretary of State.
