Resources of the U.S. Government

U.S. Government Printing Office

Many publications on business management and other related topics are available from the Government Printing Office (GPO). The nearest GPO bookstore is at:
Arco Plaza
505 S Flower Street
Level C
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2181
Phone: 213-239-9844
Email GPO

The hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m, Monday through Friday, except for federal holidays. You can request a "Subject Bibliography" by writing to the:
Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents
Washington, DC 20402-9328

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA offers an extensive selection of information on most business management topics, from starting a business to exporting your products. The 78-page Handbook for Small Business is a good place to get started. You can download the handbook or any of the other SBA publications. If you don't have access to the World Wide Web, call or write SBA's Fresno Office to ask for the handbook or to obtain other assistance at:
2719 N Air Fresno Drive
Suite 200
Fresno, CA 93727

SBA offers training and educational programs, counseling services, financial programs and contract assistance. Ask about Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), a national organization sponsored by SBA of over 13,000 volunteer business executives who provide free counseling, workshops and seminars to prospective and existing owners and managers of small businesses. For more information about SBA business development programs and services, contact:
2719 N Air Fresno Drive
Suite 200
Fresno, CA 93727
Phone: 559-487-5791

You can also call the SBA Small Business Answer Desk at 800-U-ASK-SBA (827-5722).

Other Government Resources

Many other federal agencies offer free or inexpensive publications of interest to small businesses. Provided is a selected list of government agencies that offer publications and other services to small businesses.

Depending on the goods or services you offer, each of these entities might also be a potential customer. Other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Education, the Social Security Administration, the Veterans Administration, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Defense, are major players in the business world.

Consumer Information Center (CIC)

P.O. Box 100
Pueblo, CO 81002

Offers a consumer information catalog of federal publications.

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Publications Request
Washington, DC 20207

Offers guidelines for product safety requirements

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information

Phone: 800-729-6686

Provides pamphlets and resource materials on substance abuse.

National Institute for Drug Abuse Hotline

Phone: 800-662-4357

Provides information on preventing substance abuse in the workplace.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

12th Street and Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250

Publications on selling to the USDA. Publications and programs on entrepreneurship available through county extension offices nationwide.

U.S. Department of Commerce - Office of Business Liaison

14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
Room 5898C
Washington, DC 20230

Through the Business Assistance Center, provides listings of business opportunities available in the federal government. Also refers businesses to programs and services within the department or in other federal agencies.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - Public Health Service

Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Drug-Free Workplace Helpline: 800-843-4971

Provides information on employee assistance programs.

U.S. Department of Labor -Employment Standards Administration

200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20210

Offers publications on compliance with labor laws.

U.S. Department of the Treasury -Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

P.O. Box 25866
Richmond, VA 23260
Phone: 800-424-3676

Offers information on tax requirements for small businesses.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Small Business Ombudsman (Mail Code 2131)
401 M Street, SW
Room 3423
Washington, D.C. 20460
Phone: 800-368-5888 or 202-260-1211

Offers more than 100 publications designed to help small businesses understand how to comply with EPA regulations.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
200 C Street, SW
Washington, DC 20204

Packaging and labeling requirements for food and food-related products.