Resource

Information Available

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section
Washington, D.C. 20530  (800) 514-0301

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/business.htm

The DOJ administers the ADA.  The web site offers a business connection section where you can find out how the ADA applies to your business.

U.S. DEPT. OF LABOR
ESA WAGE & HOUR DIVISION

1701 E. Lamar Blvd.  Ste. 270
Box 22  Arlington, TX 76006-7303   (817) 861-2150

http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/

Information on the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, family & medical leave, migrant workers, overtime, child labor, and the minimum wage.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OSHA)

525 Griffin Street, Room 602
Dallas, Texas 75202
(214) 767-4731

http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/index.html

At the OSHA we site you can find out how to establish safety and health programs and fix hazards in order to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.

TEXAS STATE COMPTROLLER

7120 I-40 Suite 220  (Park West Office Center
Building A)   Amarillo, TX 79106
Local (806) 358-0148     Austin 1-800-252-5555

http://www.window.state.tx.us/

Online Application for Texas Sales Tax Permit

Sales Tax on the Internet

Sales Tax on Services

Tax Info (general) for the State of Texas

Complete List of Sales Tax Information

Information regarding Texas taxes including franchise tax; online tax forms and sales tax permits applications; beer, tobacco, wine permits; population and economic data for the Texas Economy

TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE

Corporations Section  P.O. Box 13697
Austin, TX 78711   (512) 463-5555

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/index.shtml

State filing forms (corporations, LLCs, etc.)

Information regarding the state requirements for the various business structures; assumed certificate for corporation, LP, LLC, and LLP; Public Information Dept. will investigate name availability; trademark and franchise tax information

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE

P.O. Box 14904 
Austin, TX  78714-9104    (800) 252-3439

www.tdi.state.tx.us

Information on small business insurance; workers compensation insurance information

TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

3918 Canyon Dr.
Amarillo, TX 79109-4933        (806) 353-9251

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/

Provides confidential technical assistance on air, water, waste, and pollution prevention issues without the threat of enforcement

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION

P.O. Box 12157
Austin, TX 78711         (800) 803-9202

www.license.state.tx.us          OR

http://www.texasonline.com/category.jsp?language=eng&categoryId=9

Information on Texas laws for employee safety; information on business regulations, licenses inspections, complaints, and penalties.

TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION

2505 Lakeview Dr, Ste 300 (across from Calico County)  Amarillo, TX 79109     (806) 358-7481

http://www.twc.state.tx.us/

Payroll I.D. number, reporting forms (state unemployment tax, state unemployment compensation fund, tax on corporations)

TEXAS WORKERS COMPENSATION COMMISSION

7112 IH-40 West, Bldg D.
Amarillo, TX 79106-2503    (806) 351-1222

http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/indexwc.html

Information concerning Workmen's Compensation Insurance

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF ASSISTIVE and REHABILITATIVE SERVICES

7120 H-40 West, #100
Amarillo, TX 79106    (806) 353-9568

TEXAS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE COMMISSION

3131 Bell, Suite 106 
Amarillo, TX 79106   (806) 353-1286

www.tabc.state.tx.us

Licenses for liquor stores, lounges; sale, transportation or storage of liquor

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES 

2800 Civic Circle
Amarillo, TX 79116     (806) 359-4972

Childcare licenses and registration for those who care for unrelated children in their home

U.S. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

207 S. Houston Street, 3rd Floor
Dallas, Texas 75202   (800) 669-4000

http://www.eeoc.gov/

On the EEOC web site, you can find out if and how the EEOC rules and regulations apply to your business.

Resource

Information Available

CITY OF AMARILLO DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING SAFETY 

N.E. Corner of Buchanan St & 7^th Ave
City Hall Room 105
P.O. Box 1971
Amarillo, TX 79105-1971   (806) 378-3041

http://www.ci.amarillo.tx.us/departments/code.htm

Licenses and fees; information on zoning, city ordinances, permits and building regulations

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

821 S. Johnson St
Amarillo TX 79101   (806) 378-9472

http://www.ci.amarillo.tx.us/departments/ehealth.htm

For Potter & Randall counties; health permits; food manager certificates; information on inspections and licenses.  If outside of Randall & Potter counties, contact the Texas Dept of Health (see below).

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

(WTAMU Box 60968)  300 Victory Dr.
Canyon, TX  79106    (806) 655-7151

Same as above for areas outside of Randall & Potter counties

POTTER COUNTY CLERK

900 S. Polk Room 418
Santa Fe Building
Amarillo, TX  79101   (806) 379-2275

http://www.co.potter.tx.us/countyclerk/

Assumed name certificates are filed with the county clerk.

RANDALL COUNTY CLERK 

2309 Russell Long Blvd  Ste 101
Canyon, TX 79015     (806) 468-5505

http://www.randallcounty.org/cclerk/default.htm

Same as above

ELECTRICITY:

XCEL ENERGY
600 S. Tyler St  Amarillo, TX
79109 (806) 378-2121
(Business Solution Center  1-800-481-4700)

http://www.xcelenergy.com/XLWEB/CDA/

NATURAL GAS:

ATMOS ENERGY
Customer service Center
P.O. Box 15488
Amarillo, TX 79105           1-800-621-1867

https://www.atmosenergy.com/cs/index.html

BUSINESS TELEPHONE SERVICE:

Pathwayz Communications
806-355-0551

http://www.pathwayz.com

SBC COMMUNICATIONS
1-800-499-7928

http://www.sbc.com/business_customers/

AMA TechTel
(806) 322.2222

http://www.amatechtel.com/

WATER:

CITY OF AMARILLO UTILITY BILLING DEPT

509 S.E. 7th Avenue      P.O. Box 1971
Amarillo, TX 79105-1971    (806) 378-3078

http://www.ci.amarillo.tx.us/departments/utilities.htm

Resource

Information Available

U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE 

Crystal Plaza 3 Room 2C02    P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450      (800) 786-9199

www.uspto.gov

Information on applying for patents and trademarks; web site offers free patent and trademark search engine.

PATENT & TRADEMARK REFERENCE LIBRARIAN

5000 TAMU  College Station, TX 77843-5000
(979) 862-1902

Services include basic patent and trademark searches, support and training for inventors, and delivery of documents to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. 

U.S. COPYRIGHT OFFICE

Library of Congress Copyright Office
Washington, D.C. 20559-6000      (202) 707-3000

www.loc.gov/copyright

Information on claiming a copyright.  Search copyright records.

Resource

Information Available

7201 West I-40 (Behind Outback Steakhouse)
Amarillo, TX  79106      (806) 359-2160
Hours:  M-F 8:30 to 4:30

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html

EIN Application (Employer Identification Number)
or 800-829-4933

Local office for walk-in tax assistance.  IRS Publications are available.  Representatives will answer your federal tax questions or direct you to the proper IRS contact. 

TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION (TWC) TAX OFFICE

2505 Lakeview, Suite 300, 79109-1523
806-358-7481
Employers Hotline is 1-800-832-9394.

http://www.twc.state.tx.us/customers/bemp/bempsub3.html 

Local TWC tax office.  Contact this office for Texas Unemployment Compensation Act (TUCA) tax only.  Blank forms available.  Will answer questions regarding employer responsibilities. 

TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

Park West Office Centre  Building A, Ste. 220
7120 IH-40 West
Amarillo TX 79106-2519
(806) 358-0148
The main help line in Austin is 1-800-252-5555

http://www.window.state.tx.us/m23taxes.html

Local office for the State Comptroller.  Contact this office for Information about local sales and use tax and the Texas Franchise Tax. 

Walk-in hours are 8AM - 5PM.

FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

400 7^th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590 (202) 366-2519

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Federal regulations regarding commercial vehicle safety; information regarding transporting material to and from Mexico

TX DOT MOTOR CARRIER DIVISION

125 East 11th Street
Austin, Texas 78701-2483  (512) 465-3500

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/services/motor_carrier/default.htm

Same as above for state regulations.

TEXAS DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION 

District Office  5715 Canyon Dr.
Amarillo, TX 79110      (806) 356-3200

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/ama/

Traffic maps and traffic counts for Panhandle District that includes a majority of Texas Panhandle counties outside of Amarillo

AMARILLO OFFICE OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING

P.O. Box 1971 
Amarillo, TX 79105-1971    (806) 378-6296

http://www.ci.amarillo.tx.us/departments/traffic.htm

Traffic maps and traffic counts for Amarillo City Proper

Resource

Information Available

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION LUBBOCK DISTRICT OFFICE 

1205 Texas Ave, Room 408
Lubbock, TX  79401-2693     (806) 472-7462

 http://www.sba.gov/tx/lubbock/

Local SBA office that serves West Texas.  Information about SBA loan guarantee programs, other services, and local resources.

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

409 Third St, SW
Washington, DC 20416        1-800-U-ASK-SBA

http://www.sba.gov/index.html

Washington DC telephone answer desk; information on SBA programs and services; general information regarding small businesses and the SBA.

SBA home page.

PANHANDLE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (PRPC) 

415 West 8th Avenue   P.O. Box 9257
Amarillo, TX 79105     (806) 372-3381

www.prpc.cog.tx.us

Administers the following programs:  Texas Panhandle Regional Planning Corp., Government Contract Procurement Center, Work Force Development Funds.  Also offers SBA loan packaging assistance.

VETERANS BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER

1201 W. University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78541-2999

(956) 292-7535

The VBOC provides free counseling (in person or online) to new and existing businesses.  VBOC couples service-disabled veterans with SBA sponsored technical and managerial assistance.

Resource

Information Available

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER 

701 S Taylor,  Suite 118
Amarillo, TX 79101      (806) 372-5151

www.smallbusinessdevelopmentcenter.com

Offers free, confidential small business management counseling and training to all counties of the Texas panhandle; appointments necessary

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ENTERPRISE NETWORK

2300 N Western
Amarillo, TX  79124      (806) 374-9777

http://www.wtamuenterprisenetwork.com/

Manages a network of business incubators in the Texas panhandle.

Manages the Enterprize Challenge grant.
Manages the First Step Grant.

SBDC NATIONAL INFORMATION CLEARING HOUSE  
145 Duncan Dr. Suite 200
San Antonio, Texas 78226

1-800-689-1912

http://sbdcnet.utsa.edu/ 

Serves as a resource providing timely, relevant research, web-based information, and training to SBDC counselors and their small business clients

DOT OFFICE OF SMALL & DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS UTILIZATION

400 7th Street, S.W.  Room 9414
Washington, DC 20590
(800) 532-1169 or (202) 366-1930

http://osdbu.dot.gov/

DOT's strategic outcome goal is to expand opportunities for all businesses, especially small, women-owned, and disadvantaged businesses; financial services available.

TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

Office of the Governor
Economic Development & Tourism
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711
Information and Referral: 1-800-843-5789
Citizen's Opinion Hotline: 1-800-252-9600
Phone: (512) 463-2000, Fax: (512) 463-1849

http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/ecodev

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE CENTER

(Texas Tech University)      Contact:  Merideth Hildreth
Box 45099                           (806) 742-4702
Lubbock, TX  79409            FAX (806) 742-4290

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/edrc/

Branch of the Office of Economic Development at TTU; assistance with coordinating resources and partnerships for strategic planning; architectural technical assistance also available

XCEL ENERGY COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

600 S. Tyler St.
Amarillo, TX 79109     (806) 378-2353

www.xcelenergy.com

Plant location research studies, information data bank, industrial site and building information, site inspection tours, coordinated contact with community leaders, technical assistance through plant location team, expansion assistance for existing industry, community development training programs

TEXAS MANUFACTURING ASSISTANCE CENTER

2579 S. Loop 289, Suite 114
Lubbock, TX 79423  (806) 745-7926

http://www.tmac.org/

Training and technical support to small & medium-sized manufacturers; typical areas covered include cost management, productivity improvements, environmental assistance, software systems selection and application, and e-commerce issues.

PANHANDLE CHAPTER OF TEXAS SOCIETY OF CPA's

P.O. Box 9463  
Amarillo, TX 79105     (806) 359-7929

http://www.pctscpa.com

Will collect relevant information and provide a list of accountants who match a small business' particular accounting needs; service is available to the entire Panhandle.

TEXAS STATE BAR LAWYER REFERRAL INFORMATION SERVICE

P.O. Box 12487
Austin, TX 78711       1-800-252-9690

Refers clients to local attorneys who specialize in an area of law relating to the client's specific need; initial counseling is provided at a reduced fee.

http://www.texasbar.com/Template.cfm?Section=Selecting_a_Lawyer&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=36&ContentID=2490

SCORE (LUBBOCK)

1205 Texas Ave., Room 411 D
Lubbock, TX 79401
(806) 472-7462 x226 

http://www.score.org/

SCORE’s retired and working volunteers provide free business counseling and advice as a public service.  Email advice online; low-cost workshops; face-to-face business counseling

Resource

Information Available

ACCION TEXAS

2014 S. Hackberry

San Antonio, TX 78210  (210) 226-3664  

http://www.acciontexas.org/

Approved SBA micro-loan participant; The mission of ACCION Texas is to provide credit to small businesses that do not have access to loans from commercial sources.

TEXAS PANHANDLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

415 West Eighth Avenue
Amarillo, TX 79101  (806) 372-3381

http://www.prpc.cog.tx.us/programs/econ/econ_corp.htm

The TPRDC enables expanding businesses or business start-ups to secure long-term, fixed-interest rate loans for the purchase of land and buildings, as well as for remodeling and construction.  SBA certified CDC.

SBA—SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS

http://www.sba.gov/sdb/

Development program for minority-owned businesses

SBA—HUB ZONE

https://eweb1.sba.gov/hubzone/internet/

Program that provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas

GRANTS.GOV

http://grants.gov/Index

Grants.gov is a simple, unified “storefront” for all customers of Federal grants to electronically find, apply for, and manage grants.

ANNA MARIA ARIAS MEMORIAL BUSINESS FUND

http://www.latinastyle.com/annabusiness.html

This $5,000 grant is for Latina business owners who are dedicated to Latina entrepreneurship.   

The program is funded and by Wells Fargo, LATINAStyle magazine, and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.  

Resource

Information Available

Libraries

AMARILLO PUBLIC LIBRARY 

Central Location   413 East 4^th
Amarillo, TX 79101    (806) 378-3054

http://www.amarillolibrary.org/

Reference section contains information on demographics, statistics, companies, industries, products and many other subjects that are relevant to small businesses

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Cornette Library   Box 60748
Canyon, TX 79016-0001   (806) 651-2330

www.wtamu.edu/library

Same as above.  In addition, Cornette is a repository for government documents.

Staffing

SOS STAFFING

2630 Southwest 34^th
Amarillo, TX 79109  (806) 359-1539

www.sosstaffing.com

Provides temporary and/or temp-to-hire employees for various clerical and industrial positions; also provides assistance with finding new, permanent full time employees; payroll services included

Federal Government

FIRSTGOV.GOV

http://firstgov.gov/Business/Business_Gateway.shtml

Extensive federal government information pertaining to businesses; contact information for government agencies

FEDERAL CITIZEN INFORMATION CENTER

Pueblo, CO 1-800-FED-INFO

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/

Information about activities of federal programs and how they affect you

State Government

TEXAS ONLINE

http://www.state.tx.us

Serves as the official compilation of Texas government electronic resources (state and local) and as an index of Texas governmental or taxing authority web sites and services

Industry Data

BIZSTATS.COM

http://bizstats.com/  

Useful financial ratios, business statistics & benchmarks; effective and understandable online analysis of businesses & industries

Dr Mindy Brashears
Texas Tech University

806-742-2805 Ext 235

mindy_brashears@ttu.edu 

Nutrition Analysis

TRACER—LABOR MARKET INFORMATION

http://www.tracer2.com/ 

http://www.texaswages.com/

Fully dynamic Labor Market Information delivery system in Texas backed up by the combined experience of 80 economists.

Searchable database of wages in Amarillo MSA.

THOMAS REGISTER

http://thomasregister.com/

Web site offers a searchable industry database where you can find public information about a company or product that you compete with or want to do business with.  For some products, you will be able to see computer aided drawings.

ZAPDATA.COM

http://www.zapdata.com

Free industry reports based on SIC code (password required).  Amarillo is included in Metropolitan area data. 

Legal Information and Forms

http://www.business.gov/  

Online resource guide designed to provide legal and regulatory information to America's small businesses

http://allaboutlaw.com/  

As a service to the public, they offer more than 2,000 FREE legal forms, and answers to common legal and financial questions

http://www.uslegalforms.com/

Over 25,000 legal documents and forms including wills, name change, real estate and more; limited free access and pay-for-use

Demographics

http://factfinder.census.gov

National, regional, and local population and income statistics

Useful Web Sites

BANK OF AMERICA
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER

http://www.bankofamerica.com/smallbusiness/resourcecenter/index.cfm

A pretty good site with interactive workshops which provide some basic instruction on planning, marketing, legal structures, and calculators to make financials decisions such as "lease vs. buy"..

ENTREPRENEUR.COM

http://www.entrepreneur.com

Provides a wealth of articles and resources covering every aspect of business ownership 

U.S. SBA ONLINE COURSES

http://www.sba.gov/training/coursestake.html

Free (registration required) online training courses on all aspects of starting and managing a business.

INSIDE SMALL BUSINESS

http://smallbusiness.logoworks.com

Business marketing tips, articles and other valuable resources for small businesses and home businesses.

OPEN FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS

This site is the American Express Small Business Network, where you can find articles, quizzes, interactive tools, and workshops about planning, and growing your business.

http://home3.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness/Landing/informyourdecisions.asp?Entry1=0&Entry2=440

RHONDA ONLINE

http://www.rhondaonline.com/

Articles and planning advice for small business owners

TEXAS CENTER FOR RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

http://www.tcre.org/

TCRE is a non-profit organization that was created to facilitate the delivery of educational and technical support to rural entrepreneurs and organizations supporting entrepreneurs. 

http://www.myownbusiness.org

Business Plan Help

BPLANS.COM

http://www.bplans.com/

Contains a large collection of free sample business plans; includes practical advice on planning and interactive tools

ACTIVEPLANS.BIZ

http://activeplans.biz/

Offers an interactive tool that walks you through your business plan step by step; free registration is required

CIT

http://www.smallbizlending.com/resources/workshop/sba.htm

Interactive movie that explains the business plan process

Business Legal Structure

COOLLAWYER

http://www.coollawyer.com/webfront/bizfilings/

Pay service for legal forms; free site contains extensive business structure Q&A

Hispanic Business

HISPANIC BUSINESS INC.

http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/

Site is an online information center for Hispanic Business Magazine.  Many aspects of Hispanic business are covered in free and paid reports.  

UNITED STATES HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

http://www.ushcc.com/#

This organization advocates, promotes and facilitates Hispanic businesses.

USHCC monitors legislation, policies and programs that affect the Hispanic business community. 

It also provides technical assistance to Hispanic business associations and entrepreneurs.

SBA En Espanol

http://sba.gov/espanol/

This is the Spanish language version of the Small Business Administration’s web site.

Women Owned Business

SBA ONLINE WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER

409 Third Street SW, Fourth Floor
Washington, DC 20416   (202) 205-6673

http://www.onlinewbc.gov/

This agency provides training and technical assistance to promote the growth of women-owned businesses.  OWBC programs address access to credit and capital, federal contracts, and international trade opportunities.

Misc.

WTAMU MARKETING & INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS RESOURCES

http://wtfaculty.wtamu.edu/~sanwar.bus/otherlinks.htm

A page full of links developed by Dr. Syed Tariq Anwar, Professor of Marketing & International Business, College of Business, West Texas A&M University.  No descriptions provided..

SMALL BUSINESS NOW

http://www.smallbusinessnow.com/

Kim T. Gordon lays claim to being one of the leading experts on Small Office - Home Office Marketing.

WORD WORKER

mj.coats@gmail.com
4211 Southpark Dr.
Amarillo, TX 79109 (806)-206-7347

Professional writing services. Ad copies, reports, letters, brochures, proofing and editing.