Advocacy Announces Small Business Data Resources Tool

Information abounds on the Internet, but timely, accurate, extensive, and accessible databases are sometimes hard to find. With more than 30 years of experience mining federal data sources from the Census Bureau to the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, the Office of Advocacy today announced its newest research tool for small business researchers and policymakers, a hyperlinked listing of Small Business Data Resources.

"Over many years, Advocacy has used and helped develop some of the best business data available by firm size," said Chief Counsel for Advocacy Winslow Sargeant. "We’re pleased to be able to provide researchers a concise summary listing of many of the most used federal government and nongovernment data sources,"

The new tool lists online databases by government or private sector source, hyperlinks the listings to their websites, and keys them to the small-business-related topics on which they provide information. The databases listed provide a wealth of information from federal agencies, as well as nongovernment private sector, university, nonprofit, international, and other sources. Key topics include demographics, employment, exports, finance, firm size data, firms and establishments, health care, income and sales, pension coverage, taxes, and training.

Small Business Data Resources will be an invaluable tool for researchers, policymakers, small business trade associations, and members of the media interested in small businesses’ role in the economy.

The new tool is available at http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/847/125801 on the Advocacy website.

The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. The presidentially appointed and Senate confirmed Chief Counsel for Advocacy advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policymakers. Regional advocates and an office in Washington, D.C., support the Chief Counsel’s efforts. For more information, visit http://www.sba.gov/advocacy, or call (202) 205-6533.