Business.gov receives updates

Glenn Muske, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service interim associate dean, assistant director family and consumer sciences, said this Web site allows business owners an opportunity to have a one-stop resource that searches federal agencies and is the official business link to the United States government. It is focused on improving services through technology to citizens and businesses.

New additions include “Permit Me” and “Feature Topics.”

The Permit Me feature offers a source for getting federal, state and local permits and professional licenses for businesses.

“Businesses in the United States are required to obtain a permit, identification number to operate or a professional license to operate,” Muske said. “Finding the right license can often be challenging. This allows the business to go to a single link and find a list of licensing and permit resources across most  federal, state and local domains.”

The Featured Topics section offers common business concerns. This section will be updated on a regular basis.

Muske said Featured Topics give context to compliance information on the site and assists business owners with understanding in basic language the regulatory requirements their business faces.

“Information is normally written from the individual agency’s perspective and often fails to sufficiently explain the impact of the requirement on business operations or what is necessary to comply,” he said. “When a business fails to develop compliance assistance information that may deal with concerns of the business community, it will add to the business’ owners compliance problems.

“Business.gov offers businesses the best resources to avoid costly mistakes and allows them to continue to contribute to the economy and their community,” Muske said. “The Web site also boosts regulatory compliance among businesses, especially small businesses, while at the same time dropping the time and effort spent meeting those requirements.”

Business.gov is managed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, is in partnership with 21 other federal agencies and is part of the President’s Management Agenda.

According to the SBA, small firms with fewer than 500 employees represent 99 percent of all businesses and these firms spend 45 percent more per employee than larger companies to comply with federal regulations including taxes and environmental regulations.

Along with the Web site Business.gov, Muske said there are other Web sites focused on helping those in business become successful.

Oklahomans who are interested in receiving high-quality one-to-one business counseling, economic development assistance and training for small businesses and prospective small businesses should visit the Web site www.fcs.okstate.edu/microbiz.

“The mission of the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center is to help businesses be more successful,” he said. “Whether a person is in business or thinking about it, this Web site and our staff can help Oklahoma businesses.”

Muske said these Web sites can be used as an information gateway to reduce burdens faced by businesses and put them on the path to success.

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Katie L. Reim
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
140 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
405-744-6792 (Phone)
405-744-5739 (Fax)
katie.reim@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.