Entrepreneurship & Small Business: Starting a Business in Rhode Island

This state agency replaces the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC).

The Office of the Secretary of State provides resources which assist those who want to start a business or grow an existing business in Rhode Island. Links to appropriate state agencies for licensing, labor laws, taxation, worker's compensation and more. Provides "Customized Business Packages: e-mail your name, address, telephone number and type of business and in 3-5 business days, you'll receive a customized checklist and applicable forms.

Links to homepages of all 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island. Many (but not all) of these provide guidance/services on starting or relocating a business in their city/town. When considering a location for your business, remember to check local regulations regarding zoning and other ordinances which are different for each municipality.

"A platform for transforming our most intractable systems, like healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, and energy, where players - both private and public - can design and test new solutions in a real-world environment"

From Gaebler.com. Links to 20 resources for entrepreneurs, including government resources (state and federal), loans/financing, chambers-of-commerce, advertising costs and more. Also provides similar resources for all other states. Excellent place to begin research.

Covers over 52,000 businesses. Arranged by city, yellow page catagory, major employers and SIC-code. Outstanding resource for researching potential competitor information.

Profiles over 2,400 R.I. "manufacturing, processing & wholesale distribution establishments". Arranged by industry, alphabetical, geographical and SIC code.