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Several weeks ago, a local small-business group called to ask if I could help them compile a directory of small-business resources. I appreciate their efforts, but, as I informed them, there are a wide range of resources already available to help connect small-business owners.

Most include information regarding government agencies, venture capitalists and other lenders, and a long list of vendors who provide products and services specifically targeted to the small-business market. Here's a sampling of the major ones I know of:

The nonprofit small-business lender ACCION New Mexico publishes a list of links to a wide range of support organizations on its Web site at www.accionnewmexico.org under the tab "resources."

The private, nonprofit membership organization Albuquerque Economic Development provides numerous links on its Web site for "economic development information," "business organizations," and "government resources," to name just a few. Visit www.abq.org (under "business resources") for more information.

The Economic Development Department at the city of Albuquerque publishes several resources for small businesses on both its Web site and in a 16-page "Small & Mid-Size Business Resources Directory" which can be accessed at www.cabq.gov/econdev (see the "small business support" link). Of course, if you don't find the information you're looking for there, you can call the city's Citizen Contact Center by dialing 311 and speak with one of their very helpful representatives.

One of the larger resources available to small business is the New Mexico Economic Development Department. The department publishes a variety of economic data and a New Mexico Factbook with information about taxation policy and incentives, an overview of the state's economy, work force demographics, education and labor data, and much more. Visit www.edd.state.nm.us for more information.

The New Mexico Small Business Development Center publishes the 40-page "Starting Out - A Guide to Creating Your Own New Mexico Business" which you can access at www.nmsbdc.org/BusinessStartingOutGuide.pdf.

The guide is one of the most complete resources among the group with information on developing your business plan, legal forms, business registrations and regulatory issues, financing, and references to a number of business resources and groups that can provide assistance.

Technology Ventures Corporation publishes a database of business resources which can be accessed online, including organizations and businesses that assist small businesses with legal and financial issues, technology/innovation, market research, sales, human resources, business plans and investor presentations. See www.techventures.org/resources/index.php for all of their links.

This certainly isn't an exhaustive list of the resources available to you, but they should get you connected in short order to the key information, organizations and people in our area who are available to help you start or grow your small business.

Sacco is vice president of marketing at Kirtland Federal Credit Union, and an adjunct professor at University of New Mexico Anderson Schools of Management and at Webster University.