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Business Research

Let us guide you to the best business information available.

Reliable and relevant business information can be difficult to find. Milwaukee Public Library’s Business & Technology department has identified valuable resources to help with business planning and research.

Are you a business owner interested in access to the library’s databases and materials? Register for a Business Library Card today.

Let us guide you to the best business information available.

Business Commons - NEW!

The Business Commons on the second floor of the Central Library provides a space for individuals to work independently or collaboratively. The Business Commons creates a space for networking, collaboration opportunities with the flexibility of working outside of traditional study or office spaces. 

Business Resources by Category
Census/Demographics

Explore Census Data: Explore Census Data provides access to data about the United States, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas. The data in Explore Census Data comes from several censuses and surveys.  Free website.

Census Business Builder: Census Business Builder offers small business owners selected Census Bureau & other statistics to guide their research for opening or expanding their business. Free website.

DemographicsNOW: From Gale, this customizable blend of census, statistics, marketing insights and people/business directories is perfect for creating visual analyses for business plans, entrepreneurial activities and quick demographic reports. Available to City of Milwaukee library card holders.

State of Wisconsin Demographic Services Center:  Demographic Services Center (DSC) develops annual estimates and future projections of the population for all Wisconsin towns, villages, and cities.  Free Website.

Industry, Company, and Product Research

AtoZdatabases: Turn to AtoZdatabases for directory information and all kinds of data mines. Search for jobs, people and businesses. Use for sales leads, mailing lists, market research, industry specific data, employment opportunities, or simply finding friends and relatives. Email, print or download what you find. Library subscription. Available to City of Milwaukee library cardholders.

Business Source Premier: From EBSCO, this package for business research includes articles, company and industry profiles, and country and market research. Provided as part of Wisconsin's BadgerLink program.

Reference Solutions: This tremendous collection of data records can be used as a people or business address/telephone directory, job hunting tool, company or industry analysis source, mailing list creator, or to custom design marketing datasets within the Consumer/Lifestyle module. Available to City of Milwaukee library card holders.

ThomasNet: Directory of manufacturers and distributors. Includes links to product catalogs and CAD drawings. Free Website.

Wisconsin Corporation Search: Search for businesses in Wisconsin and find registered agent information, current business status, filing history and more. The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions also provides annual reports and charter documents for a fee. Free website.

Wisconsin Business Annual Reports: An index to MPL's collection of historic annual reports, which focused on Wisconsin-based companies.

Investments

Value Line: For complete stock and investment research, turn to Value Line. Online access to the Investment Survey is available. The Investment Survey, Small & Midcap Survey, and Special Situations Service, are all available in print at the Business & Technology Room at the Central Library. Available to City of Milwaukee library card holders.

See the library’s Personal Finance: Get Smart About Money page for additional Investment related resources.

Small Business

BizStarts Milwaukee: Connects resources, content and contacts that will assist entrepreneurs to launch new enterprises. Bizstarts Milwaukee was formed by a group of forward-looking business leaders in the Milwaukee region who saw a need to accelerate early stage business and ideas. Free Website.

Bplans.com: Hundreds of free sample business plans from the Small Business Administration and Palo Alto software. Business plans contain realistic sample content for various business types. Free Website.

Census Business Builder: Offers small business owners selected Census Bureau & other statistics to guide their research for opening or expanding their business. Free website.

Gale Business: DemographicsNow: Business and People: Perfect for creating visual analyses for business plans. DemographicsNOW has easy to use Report Wizards that can create custom reports on comparing local markets, identifying market demand and analyzing potential business sites, in minutes. It is also able to run quick demographic reports and includes a people/business directory. Available to City of Milwaukee library card holders.

Gale Courses: Take a 6 week class on a wide variety of topics ranging from starting a small business to improving homeschooling skills to assisting aging parents. Every course is offered each month. Register, learn, participate in class interaction, complete assignments and tests - all online. Choose from the more than 370 classes listed in the Gale course catalog and get started learning something new. Available to City of Milwaukee library card holders.

Gale Legal Forms: Turn to Gale Legal Forms when performing do-it-yourself Wisconsin legal work. Types of forms included are those used for divorce, wills & estates, real estate, bankruptcy, power of attorney, name changes, landlord & tenant, paternity and small business.  Sample letters are also available to use as models.  The forms in this database are integrated with the Gale Small Business Builder product to help small business owners meet legal requirements of starting a business. Available to City of Milwaukee library card holders.

Gale Small Business Builder: This interactive product helps you know if you have what it takes to start a small business or nonprofit organization. Enter information about your business idea and Gale returns customized information to help entrepreneurs take the next step to success. From ideation to financing to marketing – everything is designed to work together to produce your perfect individualized plan. Available to City of Milwaukee library card holders.

Kiva Zip: Kiva Zip is an online platform that enables financially excluded and socially impactful entrepreneurs to access 0% interest small business loans up to $5,000. Evaluation is based on entrepreneurs' character and their credit worthiness established through their network. These loans are crowdfunded by hundreds of lenders from around the world who read your story, lend you as little as $5 each, and rally around your business as potential customers, business advisers, and brand ambassadors. Free Website.

Riverworks Development Corp: Riverworks Development Corporation (RDC)  was created through a partnership of public and private organizations. RDC was created to assist with the very necessary redevelopment of the east Capitol Drive corridor. RDC offers the Financial Opportunity Center with a mission to help the area's residents become financial stable through benefits, financial education, and workforce development coaching.

Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE): Nationally, SCORE is America’s largest volunteer business counseling service.  Founded in 1964, it is a nonprofit association dedicated to help those in small business, about to start one, or just thinking about it. SCORE also provides free mentoring opportunities. Free Website.

Small Business Development Center at UWM: A network providing business owners and entrepreneurs a statewide support network that offers no-cost, confidential consulting and targeted educational plans. Regional SBDC experts facilitate improvement and growth for small and emerging mid-sized companies and help launch successful new enterprises.

StartSmart Online Tool: Get your new business off on the right foot! StartSmart can help guide you to the city and state permits you need. Free Website.

Veteran's Guide to Starting a Small Business: An in-depth resource guide for veterans who are interested in starting, running, and financing a veteran-owned business. 

Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal: One Stop Business Portal will walk you through the steps necessary to register your small business with multiple state agencies in Wisconsin. Free Website.

Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC): The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center helps entrepreneurs start and grow businesses through high quality educational services. Services include references and referrals, training and professional development, and business development. Free Website.

Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative (WWBIC): WWBIC’s regional office in Milwaukee serves emerging and existing small business owners (men and women) by providing quality business education, one-on-one business assistance, direct loans and access to other capital, financial awareness and asset-building programming. Free Website. Some classes may have fees.

Chambers of Commerce

African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin: 1920 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr, Milwaukee, WI, 53212, 414-462-9450

  • Access to capital
  • Advocacy
  • Business Development
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Promotes economic and educational vibrancy in communities of color
  • RISE 14-week Entrepreneurial Training Program

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin: 1021 W. National Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53204, 414-643-6963

  • Assistance with licensing and permitting process
  • Business Plan Assistance
  • Access to Capital
  • Accounting Services
  • Marketing Services
  • Seminars and Workshops
  • Bilingual English/español
  • Open to ALL

Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce: 6815 W. Capitol Dr, Suite 204, Milwaukee, WI, 53216, 414-645-8828

  • Counselling
  • Workshops
  • Access to capital
  • Bilingual English/Hmoob
  • Open to ALL

Wisconsin L.G.B.T. Chamber of Commerce: 5027 W. North Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53208, 414-678-9275

  • Promotes economic growth and opportunities among LGBT owned and allied business

  • Business advocate and link between business and government

  • LGBT Business Enterprise Certification Program

  • Emerging Leaders Program

  • LGBT Workplace Alliance Program

  • Welcoming & Inclusive Campaign