Tools for Manufacturers

Business Resources
Financing
Publications
Databases

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Business Resources

• A comprehensive list of Federal, State, and Local Government Resources aimed at helping manufacturers including: U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Education.
• National Innovation Marketplace
  The Innovation Marketplace Where Business Opportunities Can Be Found, Understood & Valued In 2 Minutes or Less
• CommerceConnect
  U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) initiative launched by Secretary Gary Locke in October 2009 to make businesses more competitive and create jobs by bringing all of the Department of Commerce's services together under one roof.

Financing

Financing counseling and assistance is available to many U.S. Companies that want to compete in the global economy through expanded export and those affected by import competition.

• NIST MEP Guide to Growth Financing
  4th Edition of the MEP Growth Finance Guide – For most small and medium sized manufacturers, identifying and securing source of capital for sales and growth, while one of the most basic of business activities, is often a complex and frustrating process. With capital becoming significantly scarcer in today’s financial climate, that process has become more difficult for even historically successful companies. The scarcity of available capital and credit is particularly impactful on the manufacturing sector which is capital intensive and often requires the financing of inventories and receivables over long periods of time. This guide is intended to provide small manufacturers with a better understanding of some of the range of financial options and resources that may available to them to meet their particular financial needs. The guide includes information on a variety of government loan programs, tax incentives, debt and investment options, and other capital enhancement and access strategies.
• U.S. Government International Financing Programs
  The U.S. Government offers four different types of financing programs. We recommend that you review this information and then contact your local Commercial Service Trade Specialists to discuss how these programs can help you achieve your international sales goals.
• Trade Information Center
  Information on how to plan and prepare to export.
• Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms
  Provides financial assistance to manufacturers affected by import competition. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, this cost sharing federal assistance program pays for half the cost of consultants or industry-specific experts for projects that improve a manufacturer's competitiveness.

Publications

• Manufacturing News
  This twice-per-month publication specializes in original and aggressive journalism. Its readers are on the leading edge of breaking news stories and important trends. Each issue of the publication features interviews with the most respected executives in industry, government, trade associations, professional societies and academia. Manufacturing & Technology News covers the most important subjects involving manufacturing, research and development, international competition and government policies. It covers the electronics, aerospace, automotive and machine tool industries.
• IndustryWeek
  Management resource magazine featuring articles and columns oriented to manufacturing business issues.
• Energy and Environmental Export News
  A newsletter published by the International Trade Administration's Office of Energy and Environmental Industries. Each issue offers details on industry trends, export opportunities, and other developments of interest to U.S. companies active in these sectors. Listings of upcoming trade events and conferences — along with complete contact information — are included in each issue.

Databases

• Tech-Based Ecomonic Development Resource Center
  A cooperative project of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Technology Policy and SSTI has resulted in this interactive website that permits you to tap into the wealth of information that is available in those reports. Hundreds of reports have been prepared over the last four years on topics ranging from strategic plans to research on entrepreneurship from best practices to addressing the brain drain.
• Notify U.S.
  Notify U.S. is a free database and alert service that enables manufacturers and exporters to learn about proposed regulations that might pose barriers to exporting their products and gaining entry to markets outside the U.S.
• Electric Current Worldwide
  This information is provided as a service to manufacturers of electrical devices and equipment for export, exporters of such electrical devices and equipment, and those who intend to operate such devices in countries other than those where the equipment originated.