Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.
National - A trio of new resources will helpentrepreneurs find the answers to business-related questions.
- Employers and employees who want information on labor-lawrights and responsibilities can now turn to the Department ofLabor's Web site, ELAWS (Employment Laws Assistance for Workersand Small Businesses) at http://www.dol.gov/elaws
The site is updated continuously with information on such topicsas the following: Family Medical Leave Act, Office of FederalContractors Compliance Program, Fair Labor Standards Act, Drug FreeWorkplace Act, the Pension Welfare Benefit Administration andothers.
- The Oklahoma BIZ Experiences Portfolio offers 26 resourcesfor start-up BIZ Experiencess to go to for licenses, permits, adviceon marketing and research, or assistance finding financing andfinancial-management help.
This guide is part of a free three-book series published by theOklahoma Department of Commerce's Business DevelopmentDivision. The second book, Oklahoma Capital Review, brieflysummarizes funding available in Oklahoma. The third book,Oklahoma Business Brief, details marketing and exportingopportunities, incentives available to businesses, and informationon new-product development.
For copies of the booklets, call (405) 815-5146 or visit thestate's Web site at http://www.odoc.state.ok.us
- The New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission hasreleased a third edition of Doing Business in New Jersey,which provides BIZ Experiencess with information on taxes, insurance,government assistance, funding programs, procurement opportunities,exporting and more.
The 96-page booklet costs $5 and is available through most SmallBusiness Development Centers in New Jersey. For details, call (973)353-5950.
Hottest Lists In Town
National - Suppose you were recognized as one of thefastest-growing privately held firms in your region. What couldthat do for your bottom line? Plenty, says Stephanie McAlaine,assistant director of the Wharton Small Business Development Centerin Philadelphia.
Wharton's list of the top 100 of these companies was one ofthe first such lists when it was originally compiled in 1989. Morethan 550 different companies have appeared on its Philadelphia 100list.
We've compiled our own list of the various "fast"lists generated nationwide by local business journals orsmall-business development centers. While there are no standardeligibility criteria, there is one common denominator: All includecompanies on the fast track. Some also include firms with the mostrevenue growth or restrict applications to firms that have been inbusiness for at least three full years and earn at least $1million.
Below is more information about the "Top" lists.
Area Sponsor Deadline
Atlanta Atlanta Business Chronicle April
Austin, TX Austin Business Journal July
Dallas Dallas Business Journal August
Denver Denver Business Journal March
Houston University of Houston SBDC June
Charlotte, NC Charlotte Business Journal July
Columbus, OH Business First of Columbus August
Hawaii Pacific Business News April
Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Business Journal May
Orlando, FL Orlando Business Journal June
Phoenix, AZ The Business Journal August
Philadelphia Wharton SBDC July
Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Business Times July
Portland, OR The Business Journal April
Raleigh, NC Triangle Business Journal July
Sacramento, CA Sacramento Business Journal April
San Francisco San Francisco Business Times August
San Jose, CA San Jose Business Journal July
Washington Puget Sound Business Journal August
Washington, DC Washington Business Journal May
Contact Sources
New Jersey Department of Commerce & Economic GrowthCommission, (609) 777-0885, http://www.state.nj.us/commerce/dcedhome.ntc
U.S. Department of Labor, (202) 219-6001, ext. 137,herson-vaughn-karen@dol.gov
