Business Plan Research

Short online courses and tutorials on the many aspects of starting a business provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The NC Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) provides a list of websites as a starting point for your business research activities.

SBTDC’s premier guide to starting a business.

Includes information from various surveys conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Economic Census is the U.S. Government's official five-year measure of American business and the economy. It is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, and response is required by law.

Business and economy data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Collection of links provided by the NC Office of State Budget and Management. The page lists resources that provide various statistical data including population, economic, income, etc.

Includes market research reports, business plan examples, and much more.

East Carolina SCORE is located in Washington, North Carolina and serves the five county area of Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Pitt, and Washington counties. Provides free and confidential business counseling tailored to meet the needs of your small business and your personal objectives.

Find local business and community information.

The Small Business Center is designed to meet the training needs of the area’s small business owners, managers, and other personnel, as well as entrepreneurs planning to start a small business.

Business Link is a collaboration of state-wide, state-funded business resource providers who offer services from business start-up to expanding your multi-national corporation.

How to plan, start, manage, and grow a business.

Contains information and resources related to business, tourism, workforce, and community services. Also provides access to facts and information about North Carolina.

Provides information about the ports located in Wilmington and Morehead City. The site includes sailing schedules, facilities info., port statistics, and more.

Section of the N.C. state website dedicated to listing various business resources.

The Institute was founded in 1986 as the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development with a grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and N.C. Association of Minority Businesses to diversify North Carolina’s business base as a strategy for expanding economic opportunity.

Nonprofit that works to promote socio-economic development in rural areas.

The SBCN offers a range of programs and services for existing and prospective business owners. The website includes business plan templates, a self-guided business assessment and other useful tools.

The SBTDC provides management counseling and educational services to small and mid-sized businesses.

Contains information on industries, business opportunities, and strategies for starting and running a business.

This site offers services, tools, and local resources to help small businesses thrive and compete.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.

The Department of Commerce strives to make American businesses more innovative and competitive. This site contains commerce information and news along with links to the offices within the department.

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)