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Idaho Small Business Solutions - Insurance
Idaho Small Business Solutions - Employer Issues
Idaho Small Business Solutions - Forms
Idaho Small Business Solutions - Agencies

Idaho Small Business Information Fairs

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Links

NOTE - if it says ".com" it is a commercial site – exercise some caution. We do not endorse any products or advertisers that may be listed on or linked to any of the sites listed below.  

African American Business Help
Business and Legal Forms
Business Organizations
Business Plans
Charities, Legal and Otherwise
Copyright - Obtaining
Disaster - Guarding Against, Recovering From
Employee Handbooks
Energy Efficiency
Franchise Information
Government Contracts/Procurement
Health Insurance Plan - Establishing
Hispanic Business Help
Idaho Prime Loan Program
Immigrant/Refugee Business Start-up Help
Import/Export
Industry Research
Internet Security/Identity Theft
Invention Assistance
Invention Fraud Information
Laws, Legal Information and Help
Legal Structure/Business Entities
Libraries
Media Contacts
Native American Business Help
Non-Profit Organizations
Out of State/Foreign Businesses
Patents, Trademarks, Service Marks & Copyrights
Phone and Other Directories
Public Works Contracts
Registering Your Business
SBIR/STTR Programs
Scams & Schemes
Tax Payer Identification Number
Technology Business Assistance
Trademark 
  UPC Codes/Bar Codes
Veteran's Services
Women

African American Business Help:

National Black Chamber of Commerce - http://www.nationalbcc.org
 
Black Enterprise Magazine - http://www.blackenterprise.com/smallbiz/smallbiz.asp

Black Enterprise Franchise Center - http://be.franchisesolutions.com/

Minority Business Development Agency - a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce - http://www.mbda.gov/

Resources for Minority Business Entrepreneurs  http://www.score.org/minority_resources.html

Business.gov - http://www.business.gov/guides/minority-owned/


Business and Legal Forms:

Nolo Press -  http://www.nolo.com/all_eforms.cfm

Lectric Law Library - http://www.lectlaw.com/formb.htm

Legal Messenger.com - http://www.legalmessenger.com

U.S. Legal Forms - http://www.uslegalforms.com/


Business Organizations/Business Planning:

Business.gov - the official business link to the U.S. Government - http://www.business.gov/

Business Utility Zone Gateway - http://www.buzgate.org  

The Innovation Center - located in Bend, OR, helps business owners and their employees develop solutions to business problems and become more innovative in their thinking and strategies - http://www.innovationcenter.org

James J. Hill Reference Library - much of the information is available to members only, but the Biz Info Library is available to all users - http://www.jjhill.org

National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) – http://www.nbia.org

National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) – http://www.nfib.com/page/home

Simple Business Planning - financial worksheets and busines forms - http://www.simplebizplanning.com/forms.htm

Small Business TV - This is a commercial site offering useful short video presentations on many business topics. However, the site contains much commercial advertising. Idaho Small Business Solutions does not endorse products or services offered by advertisers. - http://www.sbtv.com  

Startup Nation - http://www.startupnation.com/index.asp

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Tool Kit - http://www.uschamber.com/sb/learn/sbtoolkit.htm

Will It Fly? - obtain basic business information over your cell phone as well as on the Internet - http://www.willitfly.com


Business Plans:

My Own Business - Free internet course on starting a business - http://www.myownbusiness.org.  

BPlans.com - http://www.bplans.com/dp

Nolo Press – http://www.nolopress.com/resource.cfm/catID/E67C08E9-9FAE-4AD8-840371947878E573/111/228/289/

Small Business Administration - http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/index.html and http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html

Small Business Development Center National Information Clearinghouse - http://sbdcnet.org/SBIC/bplans.php

Small Business Plan Guide - http://www.smallbusinessplanguide.com/web/index.php

Simple Business Planning - free template to create a business plan - http://www.simplebizplanning.com/businessplan.htm


Charities/Non-profits:

If you are concerned about a charity, contact your local Better Business Bureau or visit their Web site at http://www.bbb.org before making a donation.

Look up charities on the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance at http://www.give.org/inquire/index.asp

Charity Navigator - an independent charity evaluator - http://www.charitynavigator.org/


Copyright - Obtaining:

Written material, including musical scores and software, can be copyrighted through the Library of Congress Copyright Office - http://www.copyright.gov/

See Patents, Trademarks & Copyrights below.


Disasters – Guarding Against, Recovering From:

The Small Business Administration disaster recovery planning -  http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/serv_da_disastr_revcovery_plan.pdf 

Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance -  http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/index.html.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - includes information and courses for emergency personnel, parents and teachers - http://www.fema.gov.  

FEMA offers an "Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry" at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/bizindst.pdf

U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Create a disaster plan for your business before a disaster occurs - http://www.ready.gov/business/.

Disaster preparedness for disabled employers and employees - http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=5155

Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security - http://www.bhs.idaho.gov/

Idaho Disaster Services Contacts - http://www.idahofireplan.org/disasterservices/

Internal Revenue Service - Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=156138,00.html

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Disaster and Drought Assistance -http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/

Ada County Emergency Management - http://www.accem.org/

American Red Cross - Preparing your business for a disaster, including information on preparing an emergency workplace disaster kit  http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_606_,00.html


Employee Handbooks:

Every business with employees should have written documentation stating company policies that affect employee conduct on the job and that detail benefits and programs offered by the company. Company policies should be implemented to address such issues as harassment, personal use of company computers, use of company vehicles, attendance, vacations, sick leave, dress code, and other topics that relate to your business.   

Harassment:  It is particularly important for every business with employees to have a written sexual harassment policy since sexual harassment on the job violates federal civil rights laws. In a 1998 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court made employers more liable for the actions of employees even if the employer is unaware that harassment has occurred. Having a written policy that your employees know about may help you if you are sued.

Company policies are usually communicated to employees in the form of one or more employee handbooks, which employees must read and sign to indicate their familiarity with company policies. The handbook/handbooks then becomes part of the employee's personnel file. Then, should you have a problem, you can prove that your employee knew your company's policies. 

For help in creating an employee handbook, visit the following web sites:

Small Business Administration -   http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/manageemployees/SERV_ENGGUIDE.html

HR-Guide.com - find sample employee handbooks - http://www.hr-guide.com/data/023.htm

Human Resources & Information Technology - purchase templates to create your employee handbooks; templates are also available in Spanish - http://hrit.com/employee-handbook/employee-handbooks.htm

Sexual harassment issues - http://www.employer-employee.com/sexhar1.htm and
http://humanrights.idaho.gov/discrimination/sex.html

Employment Law Guide - http://www.dol.gov/asp/programs/guide.htm  The guide can be obtained in either English or Spanish by calling 1-866-4-USA-DOL. It can be used to develop wage, benefit, safety, health, and nondiscrimination policies that comply with Federal regulations.

The Idaho State Bar sells an Idaho Employment Policies Handbook that contains information on Idaho employment laws. The information comes both in written form and on a disk for use in creating your handbook. To order the handbook, visit http://www2.state.id.us/isb/PDF/Pub%20List.pdf Scroll down to page 4 to find ordering information.

If you would like assistance in creating your employee handbook/handbooks, contact the business department of your nearest college or university to obtain the assistance of faculty and students or call your nearest Small Business Development Center. 
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Energy Efficiency:

Idaho Power Company - The Idaho Power "Building Efficiency for Commercial Construction" program helps Idaho Power customers who are planning to build or remodel a commercial building. Clients may qualify for design assistance and for incentive funding help. For information, call the company at (208)388-6484 or visit the following Web site: http://www.idahopower.com/energycenter/energyefficiency/yourbusiness/buildingefficiency.htm.

Idaho Energy Resources Division - energy conservation resources and loans for energy efficiency building and remodeling -  http://www.energy.idaho.gov

EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse - http://www.energyideas.org/ or 800-872-3568. Offers energy efficiency information and technical assistance to businesses and agricultural producers throughout the Northwest.

Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs) - Small and medium sized manufacturers may be eligible to receive no-cost energy assessments http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/bestpractices/iacs.html


Franchise Information:

American Association of Franchisees & Dealers – http://www.aafd.org

Federal Trade Commission Franchise Rule - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/invest/inv07.pdf
and 2008 updates - http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2007/01/franchiserule.shtm

Federal Trade Commission Consumer Guide to Buying a Franchise - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/invest/inv05.shtm

Federal Trade Commission Franchise and Business Opportunities - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/invest/inv07.htm

Franchise Guide - http://www.franchise-guide.org

The Franchise Registry - http://www.franchiseregistry.com

Franchise Gator - Find information on available franchises http://franchisegator.com/?gclid=CIrK6NXKiIoCFRfOggodPy40Qg

International Franchise Association - http://www.franchise.org

Black Enterprise Franchise Center - http://be.franchisesolutions.com

Small Business Development Center Network -  http://sbdcnet.org/SBIC/franchise.php


Government Contracts/Procurement:

Idaho Business Network – Idaho Department of Commerce  –  http://www.idahoworks.com/Home/Business/GovernmentContracting/tabid/867/Default.aspx

SBA 8(a) program for women and minorities – Become certified to sell to the government - http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/gcbd/index.html

SBA Subcontracting Network - http://web.sba.gov/subnet/search/index.cfm 

State of Idaho Division of Purchasing -  http://adm.idaho.gov/purchasing/

Idaho Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Supportive Services Program http://www.itd.idaho.gov/civil/dbeforms.htm

Ada County Highway District Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program http://achd.ada.id.us/Departments/PP/DBE_Plan.aspx

National Central Contractor Registration - register to sell to the Federal government - http://www.ccr.gov.

National Women Business Owners Corporation - become certified to sell to government agencies -  http://www.nwboc.org

WomenBiz.gov - information and links for women business owners interested in doing business with the government, including a list of procurement events - http://www.womenbiz.gov

Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) -  certifies women business owners - http://www.wbenc.org

GovernmentBids.com - Find current bid opportunities by location - http://www.governmentBids.com

Businessmatchmaking.com - a cooperative effort of the SBA and Hewlett Packard; attend procurement events to meet purchasers for major corporations and government agencies; view a virtual workshop to prepare you to meet with procurement officials - http://www.businessmatchmaking.com/

Federal OSDBU Director's Interagency Council - find a listing of all federal Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBUs) and information on procurement events - http://www.osdbu.gov

National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. - certifies minority-owned businesses to sell to government agencies - http://www.nmsdcus.org/who_we_are/programs.html

SBA HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program - https://eweb1.sba.gov/hubzone/internet/general/contracting_assistance.cfm
Businesses located in federally designated HUB Zones have priority in securing government contracts.  A HUBZone is an area (within a city, a town, or a county) where the median household income is low or the level of unemployment is high.  To find out if your business is located in a HUBZone, visit the following Web site: https://eweb1.sba.gov/hubzone/internet/general/findout.cfm.


Health Insurance Plan - Establishing:

U.S. Department of Labor - http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/index.htm - information on compliance with ERISA and COBRA requirements. Also visit the Employee Benefits Security Administration's Web site at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/

Entrepreneur Magazine - http://www.entrepreneur.com/insurance/howtoguides/article53352.html - helpful article on the different types of health insurance plans and how to establish each type.


Hispanic Business Help:

Idaho Hispanic Business Association - http://www.hbaonline.org

Hispanic Business.com - http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/

Hispanic Business – Small Business Administration – http://www.sba.gov/espanol/

Latin Business Association - http://www.lbausa.com/

OSHA Compliance Assistance for Hispanic Employers and Workers - http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/index_hispanic.html

Small Business Development Center Network – http://sbdcnet.org/index.php?option=com_docman&gid=45&task=cat_view&Itemid=241

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - http://www.ushcc.com

Treasure Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
106 W. 43rd Street 
Garden City, ID 83714
Call 208-323-1337 for information.

Minority Business Development Agency - a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce - http://www.mbda.gov/  
 
Resources for Minority Business Owners - http://www.score.org/minority_resources.html

Business.gov - http://www.business.gov/guides/minority-owned/


Idaho Prime Loan Program:

The Idaho Prime Loan Program is a cooperative effort between the Idaho State Treasurer, the Small Business Administration, and the banking community to provide funding to small businesses throughout the state. To learn more about the program and to find out if your business qualifies for a loan, visit http://sto.idaho.gov/Programs/IdahoPrime.aspx.

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Immigrant/Refugee Business Start-up Help: 

Agency for New Americans 
1614 W. Jefferson St. 
Boise, ID 83702
208-338-0033
http://agencyfornewamerican.tripod.com/

College of Southern Idaho Refugee Center, Twin Falls
Phone: 208-733-9554 or 800-680-0274
http://www.csi.edu/support/refugctr/refugee.asp
  
Idaho Department of Labor Training and Education - http://www.idahoworks.state.id.us/training.shtml

Idaho Department of Education Adult Basic Education Learning Centers - http://www.sde.idaho.gov/AdultEducation/docs/Access%20Services/abec.pdf 

Sage Community Resources Micro Loan Program - available in southwestern Idaho http://www.sageidaho.com/pop/mcro.html

MicroEnterprise Training and Assistance - nonprofit provider of direct and supportive small business assistance to new Americans, women, minorities, and other low-to-moderate-income entrepreneurs in southwest and south central Idaho - http://www.metaidaho.org

Catholic Charities of Idaho - assistance with citizenship preparation, immigration, and family reunification - http://www.catholiccharitiesidaho.org//immigration.htm

Business.gov - http://www.business.gov/guides/minority-owned/


Import/Export:

Idaho Department of Commerce International Business Division - http://trade.idaho.gov/

U.S. Export Assistance Center of Idaho - http://www.buyusa.gov/boise/

Idaho Department of Agriculture International Marketing - http://www.agri.idaho.gov/Categories/Marketing/marketinginternational.php

Export-Import Bank of the U.S. – http://www.exim.gov

Small Business Administration Idaho office - http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/id/ID_ITRESOURCES.html

U.S. Government Export Portal - http://www.export.gov/

U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security Export Administration Regulations - If you export or re-export certain goods and technology or act as a freight forwarder of certain items, you may need a license from this agency - http://www.bis.doc.gov/eaa.html 

U.S. State Department Doing Business in International Markets - http://www.state.gov/travelandbusiness/

Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) - a government agency that helps small businesses develop business opportunities with less developed countries http://www.opic.gov/doingbusiness/index.asp

U.S. Small Business Administration Office of International Trade - http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/internationaltrade/index.html


Industry Research:

U.S. Census Bureau - http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html

City Data.com - http://www.city-data.com/

James J. Hill Reference Library - some services are free; others are fee-based  http://www.jjhill.org/Research/

Polson Enterprises - some services are free; others are fee-based  http://www.virtualpet.com


Internet Security/Identity Theft:

Better Business Bureau and American National Standards Institute - http://www.ansi.org/standards_activities/standards_boards_panels/idsp/overview.aspx?menuid=3

Entrepreneur.com - http://www.entrepreneur.com/technology/techtrendscolumnistpeteralexander/article78616.html

Federal Trade Commission - Identity Theft - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/data/idt.shtm

Federal Trade Commission - Spyware - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/spywarealrt.shtm

Federal Trade Commission - Wireless Network Security - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/wireless.shtm

Microsoft - http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.mspx

Small Business Computing - http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/webmaster/article.php/3440221


Invention Assistance:

Idaho Small Business Development Center – http://www.idahosbdc.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.view&page=16

About Inventors – http://inventors.about.com

Inventors Digest Online – http://www.inventorsdigest.com

Idaho Office of Science and Technology - http://technology.idaho.gov

Idaho and Regional Prototype Assistance - http://www.idahosbdc.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.view&page=20

Free Patents Online - Easy to navigate repository of patents and patent applications. Search by patent number or keywords. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/  

United Inventors Association - http://www.uiausa.com/

U.S. Dept. of Energy Inventions & Innovation Program – find a list of organizations in each state that provide assistance to inventors and entrepreneurs http://www1.eere.energy.gov/inventions 

U.S. Dept. of Energy TechNet Energy Commercialization Program - If you have invented a product that is related to energy, this site will help you with development and commercialization of your idea. http://www.eere.energy.gov/inventions/energytechnet/   
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office - http://www.uspto.gov

University of Idaho Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program - training and assistance in doing self-directed patent and trademark searches http://www.lib.uidaho.edu/reference/p_and_t/ 

U.S. Department of Energy Industrial Technology Program - Assessment Center http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/program_areas/index.html

Washington State University College of Business Innovation Assessment Center – http://www.business.wsu.edu/organizations/iac/Pages/index.aspx

Wisconsin Innovation Service Center - http://academics.uww.edu/business/innovate/

Innovation Institute - http://www.innovation-institute.com


Invention Fraud Information:

Attorney General of the state where the home office of an invention assistance company is located; in Idaho http://www2.state.id.us/ag. For other states, use a search engine such as http://www.google.com to find them.

Better Business Bureau – http://www.bbb.org  Find complaints against an invention assistance company. Search the local BBB and the BBB where the home office of the company is located.

Brown & Michaels – http://www.bpmlegal.com/pinvmktg.html for information on intellectual property issues and a list of invention marketing firms that have had legal action taken against them.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro21.shtm for information about invention promotion. Many articles about invention fraud can be found by doing a search of the FTC site fusing the term "inventions."  The American Inventors Protection Act of 1999 guarantees inventors certain rights when dealing with invention promoters.  To learn about your rights before you hire a promoter, visit the link above.

InventorEd, Inc., Invention Promoter Caution List – http://www.inventored.org/caution/ - information about companies selling fraudulent inventor help.

National Inventor Fraud Center – http://www.inventorfraud.com.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Complaint Form - http://www.uspto.gov/web/forms/2048.pdf


Laws, Legal Information and Help:

Idaho Administrative Rules –  http://adm.idaho.gov/adminrules/

Idaho State Bar and Idaho Law Foundation – http://www2.state.id.us/isb/

Idaho Statutes - http://www3.state.id.us/idstat/TOC/idstTOC.html

Martindale.com - database of attorneys searchable by specialty http://www.martindale.com

Small Business TV (SBTV) Legal Channel - http://www.sbtv.com/default.asp?cid=6

Small Business Law Firms.com - http://www.smallbusinesslawfirms.com

University of Idaho Law School Small Business Legal Clinic - http://www.law.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=65571


Legal Structure/Business Entity Descriptions and Forms:

Idaho Secretary of State – http://www.sos.idaho.gov/corp/corindex.htm

Nolo Press - 
http://www.nolopress.com/resource.cfm/catID/5DE04E60-45BB-4108-8D757E247F35B8AB/111/182/

For detailed information, visit the Legal Entities section of this web site at http://www.idahobizhelp.org/legal_ent.htm.


Research Libraries:

Boise Public Library – http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org

Boise State University, Albertson’s Library - http://library.boisestate.edu/

Coeur d'Alene Public Library - http://www.cdalibrary.org/

Idaho Falls Public Library - http://www.ifpl.org/

Idaho State Law Library - http://www.isll.idaho.gov/

Eli M. Oboler Library, Idaho State University - http://www.isu.edu/library/

Marshall Public Library, Poctello - http://www.marshallpl.org/

University of Idaho Libraries - http://www.lib.uidaho.edu/

Twin Falls Public Library - http://www.twinfallspubliclibrary.org/


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Minority Business Help:

Minority Business Entrepreneur - http://www.mbemag.com/ResourceCenter/

Minority Business Development Agency - http://www.mbda.gov

Northwest Minority Business Council - http://www.nmbc.biz/home/

Resources for Minority Business Owners - http://www.score.org/minority_resources.html

Business.gov - http://www.business.gov/guides/minority-owned/


Native American Business Help:

Native American Business Alliance - http://www.native-american-bus.org

Onaben - A Native American Business Network - http://www.onaben.org

U.S. Department of Labor Division of Indian and Native American Programs -  http://www.doleta.gov/DINAP/

National Indian Business Association - http://www.nibanetwork.org

National Center of American Indian Enterprise Development - http://www.ncaied.org

Northwest Native American Business Development Center - serves Idaho, Washington, and Oregon - a division of the National Center of American Indian Enterprise - http://www.nwnabec.org/

Federal Gateway to Native American Services - http://www.firstgov.gov/Government/Tribal.shtml

Federal Inter-agency Native American Housing Web Site - http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/ih/codetalk/

Native American Banking Resource Directory - http://www.occ.treas.gov/cdd/Nativeam.htm

Tribal Business Information Centers - a division of the SBA - http://www.sba.gov/naa/tribes

Minority Business Development Agency - a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce - http://www.mbda.gov/

Business.gov - http://www.business.gov/guides/minority-owned/


Non-Profit Organizations:

Idaho Non-Profit Center - http://www.idahononprofits.org/  Assists non-profit organizations with business development strategies.

Internal Revenue Service - tax information for non-profits - http://www.irs.gov/charities/index.html

The Foundation Center – http://foundationcenter.org/ 

Foundations Online - http://www.foundations.org 

Funding Information Center, Boise Public Library - http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org/Research/Funding_Information_Center/

Eastern Idaho Funding Information Center - http://www.marshallpl.org/eific.htm


Out of State/Foreign Businesses - Registering:

Idaho Secretary of State – http://www.sos.idaho.gov/corp/corpform.htm for forms to register a foreign corporation to do business in Idaho.


Patents, Trademarks, Servicemarks & Copyrights:

U.S. Patent & Trademark Office - http://www.uspto.gov/main/patents.htm - to search for a patent or to register your patent in the U.S.

European Patent Office - http://www.epoline.org/portal/public

US Patent Search - http://www.us-patent-search.com/ - download the full text of a registered patent.

U.S. Patent & Trademark Office – http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm – to search for a trademark or register your trademark in the U.S.

Idaho Secretary of State Trademark Division – http://www.sos.idaho.gov/tmarks/tm_faq.htm – to register your trademark in Idaho.

Idaho Secretary of State Trademark Division – Do a search to find out if your trademark is already registered in Idaho - http://www.accessidaho.org/public/sos/trademark/search.html

Library of Congress Copyright Office - http://www.copyright.gov/records/ to search for a copyright registration.

Library of Congress Copyright Office – http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html to learn about copyright basics.

Library of Congress Copyright Office – http://www.copyright.gov/ for general information and to register a copyright.

Library of Congress Copyright Office - http://www.copyright.gov/laws/ to find copyright laws.

Wiki Patents Community Patent Review - http://www.wikipatents.com - lists patent applications, patents for sale, and more

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Business Directories:

MacRae's Blue Book - directory of manufacturers of industrial parts and equipment http://www.macraesbluebook.com 

Thomas Register on-line - comprehensive list of U.S. manufacturers and products http://www.thomasnet.com 


Public Works Contracts:

The Idaho Department of Building Safety contracts for state public works projects in Idaho. http://dbs.idaho.gov/publicworks/index.html

To find local public works projects, contact your city or county planning and zoning department.


Registering Your Business:

Idaho Secretary of State - register your business name - http://www.sos.idaho.gov

Idaho Business Registration System - register your business with the Idaho State Tax Commission, Idaho Industrial Commission, and Idaho Department of Labor in one convenient location. You may not need to register your business if you do not have employees or sell products, so be sure to check before completing the form - https://cl.idaho.gov/applications/ibrs/ibr.aspx  


SBIR/STTR Programs:

Visit the Hot Topics page on this site and choose "Grants" from the menu at the top of the page.

Idaho Small Business Development Center - http://www.idahosbdc.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.view&page=22

Idaho Office of Science and Technology - http://technology.idaho.gov/SBIRSTTR/Overview/tabid/592/Default.aspx


Scams & Schemes - Business:

Idaho Attorney General’s office - report scams  http://www2.state.id.us/ag/

Better Business Bureau – http://www.bbb.org

Econsumer.com - created by 21 nations; report cross-border consumer complaints http://www.econsumer.gov/english/index.html

Federal Trade Commission – http://www.ftc.gov/

Internal Revenue Service- tax fraud or schemes http://www.irs.gov/compliance/enforcement/index.html

Multi-Level Marketing Schemes - http://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/businessopprule/522418-12585.pdf and http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/invest/inv12.shtm

U.S. Postal Service Mail Fraud Complaint Form https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx

Work-at-Home Schemes - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/invest/workhome.shtm

Also see the Invention Fraud section above and the Hot Topics section of this Web site.


Tax Payer Identification Number (EIN):

See the information in the Hot Topics or the Glossary pages on this site.             

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Technology Business Assistance:

TECenter at Boise State University - http://www.bsutecenter.com

Idaho Office of Science and Technology -http://technology.idaho.gov/

Small Business Administration Technology Resources Network (Tech-Net) - http://www.sba.gov/sbir/indextechnet.html


Trademarks:

See Patents, Trademarks, Servicemarks & Copyrights above


UPC Codes/Bar Codes:

GS1 US BarCodes, formerly known as Universal Packaging Codes - http://barcodes.gs1us.org/dnn_bcec/TabId/141/Default.aspx


Veterans' Services:

Idaho Department of Labor Veteran's Services - http://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/idcl/Businesses/Veterans/tabid/720/Default.aspx and http://labor.idaho.gov/publications/vethandout.pdf

Idaho State Division of Veterans' Services - http://www.veterans.idaho.gov/

National Veteran-owned Business Association - http://www.navoba.com/

SBA Veterans Business Development - http://www.sba.gov/VETS/

U.S. Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service -  http://www.dol.gov/vets/welcome.html

U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs - http://www.va.gov/

U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise - Resource center for entrepreneurs who are veterans - http://www.vetbiz.gov

Veterans Benefits Administration - http://www.vba.va.gov/


Women Business Owners:

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) - NAWBO chapters are located in Spokane and Boise. For location of the Spokane chapter and meeting times, visit http://www.nawbonw.org.  For information about the Boise chapter, visit http://www.nawboboise.org.

ID Federation of Business and Professional Women - http://www.bpwidaho.org/

U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau - http://www.dol.gov/wb/welcome.html

National Women Business Owners Corporation - http://www.nwboc.org

Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) - http://www.wbenc.org

Center for Women's Business Research - http://www.womensbusinessresearch.org/

Small Business TV (SBTV) Women's Channel - http://www.sbtv.com/default.asp?cid=10

SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership - http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/onlinewbc/index.html 

Womenbiz.gov - a division of the Small Business Administration that helps women business owners sell to the federal government http://www.womenbiz.gov

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