Government Agencies
These agencies will point you in the right direction and answer your questions on licensing, taxation and business support.
City of Providence
www.providenceri.com
Information on permitting, licensing, business registration and support for Providence businesses
Services Provided: R • I
Every Company Counts
www.everycompanycounts.com
RIEDC’s small business division can direct you to a wealth of business resources within the state
Services Provided: T • P
Rhode Island Department of Administration: Division of Purchases/Government Contracting
www.purchasing.ri.gov
Register as a vendor for state purchasing opportunities
401.222.2142 ext. 131
Services Provided: I
Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation: Regulatory Assistance
www.dbr.ri.gov
State department responsible for business regulation and licensing
401.462.9500
Services Provided: R
Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC)
www.riedc.com
Information, incentives and opportunities for business in the State of Rhode Island
Services Provided: T • F • R • P • I
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
www.dem.ri.gov
State department responsible for environmental permits
401.222.6800
Services Provided: R
Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training: Employer Service Unit
www.dbr.ri.gov
State offices provides assistant with employee recruitment
401.462.8716
Services Provided: T • I • R
Rhode Island Minority Business Enterprise Office (MBECO)
www.mbe.ri.gov
State office responsible for certifying Minority, Women-Owned and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
401.574.8760
Services Provided:R
Rhode Island Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Consultation Program
www.health.ri.gov
State program provides expert advice to small businesses on maintaining a safe and healthy workplace
401.222.2438
Services Provided: T • I • R
Rhode Island Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
www.riptac.com
Professional assistance for individuals and businesses that sell (or are seeking to sell) goods or services to the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, state and local governments
401.222.2601 ext. 175
Services Provided: T
Rhode Island Small Business Advocacy Council
www.ltgov.ri.gov/smallbusiness
Advocacy council chaired by the Lieutenant Governor that works to ensure that government acts to assist small businesses and remove obstacles
401.222.2371
Services Provided: I
U.S. Department of Commerce: Bureau of the Census
www.census.gov/
Official website of the Census Bureau provides access to demographic and business data
Boston Regional Office: 617.424.4501 or 800.562.5721
Services Provided: I
U.S. Department of Commerce: International Trade Administration
www.trade.gov or www.buyusa.gov/rhodeisland/
Promotes international trade; provides market research, trade leads, resource library and counseling
Providence Office: 401.528.5104
Services Provided: T • R
U.S. Department of Labor
www.dol.gov
Information on wage and hour laws as well as health and safety regulations
Providence OSHA Office: 401.528.4669
Services Provided: R
U.S. General Services Administration
www.gsa.gov
The regional service center for the GSA is your front door to contracting opportunities with the GSA or the federal government in general
Providence Office: 401.528.4139
Services Provided: T • R
U.S. Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.gov
Official website of the IRS where you can obtain Tax Identification Numbers, download forms and more. For information specific to small businesses and self-employers, visit: www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
Providence Office: 401.525.4282
Services Provided: T • R • I
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
www.sba.gov/localresources/district/ri/index.html(Local website)
www.sba.gov(National website)
Premier federal government agency dedicated to the growth and development of small business provides information on starting or expanding a small business including government aid, financing options, disaster assistance, regulations and outside resources
401.528.4561
Services Provided: T • F • R • P • I• P
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