PROVIDENCE, RI – To kick off National Small Business Week, today Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea announced the launch of the RI Business Data Hub, an interactive resource available to the public on the Department of State's website at http://sos.ri.gov/.
The RI Business Data Hub allows users to quickly and easily create a customized snapshot of the business landscape in Rhode Island, and in each city and town. The information displayed is based on entities that file with the Department of State's Business Services Division.
"At the Department of State, our most valuable asset is information," said Secretary Gorbea. "Historically, we've served as a filing cabinet. Over the last few years I have been transforming that filing cabinet into a hub that makes important information easily available to the public."
The Business Services Division maintains Rhode Island's state business registry, tracking new business formation, types of business activity conducted, business locations, and business closings in Rhode Island. This information is now displayed on the RI Business Data Hub, where users can customize it to suit their individual needs.
"We are using technology to transform mountains of data into something relevant and accessible for people looking to start or grow their business in Rhode Island," said Secretary Gorbea. "Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy. We need to do everything we can to provide them the data and tools they need to succeed."
The RI Business Data Hub is the latest resource for small businesses on the Department of State's website. Other tools include the Business Basics page, which helps entrepreneurs educate themselves on terms and topics they need to know before starting a business. The Business Assistant application guides potential business owners through a series of questions to provide a checklist of agencies they'll need to contact, licenses required, and potential costs. These tools are available in English and Spanish, and other languages using Google Translate.
Users can also review Secretary Gorbea's Business and Economic Report, an analysis of Rhode Island's current business climate and economic trends that was conducted in partnership with Roger Williams University.
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