CERTIFICATIONS

Federal  – U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8 (a) Business Development Program/ 8(a) BD Program Certification is a business development program created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy and access the federal procurement market.

SBA’s HUBZone program - SBA’s HUBZone program is in line with the efforts of both the Administration and Congress to promote economic development and employment growth in distressed areas by providing access to more Federal contracting opportunities.

State – Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Uniform Certification, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) for U.S. DOT federally-funded contracts in New York State (including airport, highway and transit contracts). New York State Minority and Women-owned Businesses (PDF) Division of DMWBD-Certifications of New York State Minority and Women-owned Businesses City Minority and Women owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) Program Minority, and Women owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) certification into the Minority and Women owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) program Emerging Business Enterprise (EBE) Program – This program certifies business owned, operated, and controlled by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. The program is designed to promote fairness and equity in city contracting and to level the playing field for these business owners. Locally-Based Enterprise (LBE) program  – The program works to ensure that New York’s construction firms get preference for subcontracting opportunities on large-scale City Projects. Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification NY & NJ Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)

BUSINESS LEGAL STRUCTURES
The most common forms of business structures are: Sole Proprietor, Partnership, Corporation and Limited Liability Company.

Sole Proprietor RELEVANT FORMS: Form X 201-Business certificate Form 341-Cancellation of business certificate Form224-Amended business certification for individual of partnerships All the forms above can be found from website: http://www.blumberglegalforms.com

COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE FILING THE BUSINESS CERTIFICATE

BROOKLYN
The Kings County Clerk Supreme Court Building 360 Adams Street Room 189, Window #2 Brooklyn, NY 11201 (347) 404-9772

QUEENS
County Clerk’s Office State Supreme Court, Queens 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Room 105 (718) 520-2877

BRONX
Bronx County Clerks Office 851 Grand Concourse, Room 118 Bronx, NY 10451 (718) 618-3308

MANHATTAN
County of New York City Clerk’s Office, 60 Centre Street, Room 161 New York, NY 10007 646-386-5955

RELEVANT FORMS:
Form 74-Business certification for partners Form 176-Certification of discontinuance of business partnership Form 224-Amended business certification for individual of partnerships Forms can find from website: http://www.blumberglegalforms.com Corporation (Incorporated, Corporation, Limited or Inc, Corp or Ltd) Forms and instructions for forming a Business Corporation in New York State may be obtained from the Department of State’s website at: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/corp/busguide.htm .Limited Liability Company (L.L.C.) Forms and instructions for filling the certification of incorporation may be obtained from the Department of State’s website at: http://www.dos.state.ny.us BizFilings: http://bizfilings.com. Online incorporation and LLC formation.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE
Business Center for New Americans Technology & computer assistance to small businesses NPower NY Technology/computer assistance to non-profit organizations

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Inventorprise Incorporated http://www.inventorprise.com/mm5/merchant.mvc solves the needs of individuals and businesses to affordably protect their ideas through U.S. patents. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office http://www.uspto.gov/ For international trade assistance go to Export.gov  They offer resources from across the U.S. government to assist American businesses in planning their international sales strategies and how to succeed in today’s global marketplace. The Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov/works to eliminate unfair or deceptive marketplace practices. The National Customs Broker & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. http://www.ncbfaa.org/represents and supports members of the United States freight forwarding industry. The New York State Small Business Development Center International Business Development Office has nurtured contacts and resources and a network within government and business circles in China on the local, regional and national levels, developed partnerships, and assisted new-to-export as well as new-to-market expansion to the emerging Chinese marketplace. U.S. Commercial Services http://www.trade.gov/cs/offers solutions to help business enter and succeed in markets worldwide. U.S. Customs & Border Protection http://www.cbp.gov/- This website provides essential government regulatory and procedural information for exporters and importers. U.S. Department of Commerce  – The website is designed to foster, serve, and promote the Nation?s economic development and technological advancement. US Food & Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov/ US Food & Drug Administration is responsible for regulating food, dietary supplements, drugs, biological medical products, blood products, medical devices, radiation-emitting devices, veterinary products, and cosmetics in the United States. U.S Small Business Administration sba.gov - The mission of SBA’s Office of International Trade is to enhance the ability of small businesses to compete in the global marketplace.

LEGAL RESOURCES
FindLaw for Legal Professionals http://lp.findlaw.com/ - The latest legal news, case law, and analytical articles. FindLaw’s online resources also allow you to search for a case or research an attorney. Legal Aid Societyhttp://www.legal-aid.org/en/home.aspx - The Community Development Project represents qualified new and existing low-income small businesses with legal assistance in incorporating, leasing, licensing, financing, corporate governance, intellectual property, securities and tax law compliance. Martinadale.Com  - Use this Lawyer Locator to find the credentials of more than one million lawyers and firms. New York City Bar - http://www.nycbar.org/index.htm The New York City Bar Association provides referrals to experienced lawyers. You’re assured of a referral to an insured, interested attorney, pre-screened for suitability and experience – for your specific legal matter. You can reach one of our experienced referral counselors by calling (212) 626-7373. New York State Unified Court System For Small claims, http://www.courts.state.ny.us/ - Business owner may sue in New York Claim Court, while corporations, partnerships and associations may sue in Commercial Claims Court, without an attorney, for claims up to a maximum of $5,000. (Including Non English content: Chinese, Korean, French, Spanish) Small Business Initiative of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York : Legal counseling to qualified businesses

MARKETING RESOURCES
Biztats.Com Instant access to useful financial ratios, business statistics and benchmarks.

CRAIN’S NEW YORK BUSINESS http://www.crainsnewyork.com/ - Industry, Business and City Facts and Statistics helpful for market research and business planning. New York State Traffic Counts http://findarticles.com  - Search millions of articles from leading academic, industry-specific and general interest publications. New York State Statistics IBIS Worldhttp://www.ibisworld.com/ - The industry sectors option provides a snapshot of industries in the US Economy. The Internet Public Library http://www.ipl.org/ - A limited selection of associations on the Internet. ThomasNet http://www.thomasnet.com/ -  Thomas register manufacturer’s directory. United States Industry Analysis US Census Reports

START-UP AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Business Owner’s Toolkit http://www.toolkit.com/ - Total know-how for small business. Entrepreneur.com http://www.entrepreneur.com/ - Online magazine for business opportunities. Entrepreneurship.org  - The entrepreneur’s guide to high growth. http://www.franchisehandbook.com/ - Franchise Handbook  - The most comprehensive and up-to-date database of franchise available. Inc.com  - The daily resource for entrepreneurs. http://www.mindyourownbiz.org/default.shtml -  Mind Your Own Business Created by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Junior Achievement, this site walks you through five easy steps of business ownership, whether you’ve just had a brainstorm for your first business venture or you’ve been at it a few years. New York Small Business Resources for starting and expanding business in New York State. http://www.nfib.com/ - The National Federation of Independent Business is the nation’s largest small business advocacy group representing the consensus views of its 600,000 members in D.C. and all 50 state capitals. http://www.workingsolo.com/ - Working Solo, the information source for independent entrepreneurs and companies serving the SOHO (Small office / home office) market.

BUSINESS TAX ASSISTANCE
irs.gov - Federal Internal Revenue Service, information and downloadable tax forms. http://www.tax.state.ny.us/- State NYS Department of Taxation and Finance information and downloadable tax forms.

Cityhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/home/home.shtml NYC DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE – description of New York City business taxes and filings procedures

PERMIT AND LICENSE ASSISTANCE
Federal Small Business Administration Online, information about Federal Permit and License requirements for small businesses. State NYS Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform, On-Line Permit Assistance and Licensing (OPAL) City NYC Department of Consumer Affairs Information about the rights and responsibilities of consumers and businesses including permit and licensing information.