Practical and real-world advice on how to run your business from managing employees to keeping the books. More Women in Manufacturing Jobs in Every Age Group. Copyright 2023 Minority Owned Businesses. The Small Business Administration (SBA), part of the federal government, offers certification to minority-owned businesses with a program called 8(a). Washington, DC 20062, 2023 CO by U.S. Chamber of Click here for more information. Yesterday, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo virtually addressed the second White House Tribal Nations Summit and highlighted the Commerce Departments efforts and commitment to ensuring that Tribal communities have the resources they need for economic growth including access to high-speed Internet. schedule a consultation to discuss our 24/7 chat and phone answering solutions, The business must be at least 51% owned by an individual of minority status, The company must also have leaders and decision makers in key roles who are minorities, The business must be owned by someone with an AGI of less than $350,000 and a personal net worth of less than $750,000, You must have fewer than $6 million in assets, What resources you can use to help you. One of the most important accomplishments of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo issued the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations for the U.S. Department of Commerce after President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 into law. If you have a solid business idea but you havent begun yet, thats okay. COis committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. The SBA also offers its own support programs for Native Americans, too. Explore census data with visualizations and view tutorials. The ABS includes annual business statistics and demographic characteristics of employer firms such as owners race, ethnicity, sex and veteran status. In 2019, there were 134,567 Black-owned employer businesses (businesses with more than one employee) in all sectors of the U.S. economy. Smith.ai, Inc. 2023 All Rights Reserved, I'm interested in hiring Smith.ai for my business, I'm interested in working for Smith.ai as a receptionist, Using Smith.ai for Lead Qualification & Intake, an entire section dedicated to the minority-owned business. (We serve thousands of businesses daily, justlikeyours.). Everything that you need to know to start your own business. Our team can even help you create the perfect strategy to grow your business and capitalize on all the perks for minority businesses that are available today., At Smith.ai, we know how valuable your customers are and keeping them satisfied is paramount. (LockA locked padlock) The process of starting a minority-owned business is the same as any other business. If you are a minority and/or women owned small business in New Jersey, you may be eligible for grants under the NJ Clean Energy Program. Improved Race, Ethnicity Measures Show U.S. is More Multiracial. Sean Lund-Brown is a current Marketing Assistant for Smith.ai. The MBDA also has its own selection of grants and loans for minority-owned businesses, with over $500 billion in annual awards. A locked padlock Browse our topics and subtopics to find information and data. For the third most-populous state to also be the fastest growing is historic because it requires significant population gains. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Hispanic-owned businesses grew about 8.2%, from 346,836 in 2019 to 375,256 in 2020, and made up about 6.5% of all businesses in the United States in 2020. Get an alert directly in your inbox to read, share and blog about our newest stories. Our best expert advice on how to grow your business from attracting new customers to keeping existing customers happy and having the capital to do it. A good update of where things stand now with the JOBS Act and crowdfunding, providing a wealth of substance on the Act. They employed 1.3 million people. The Stories U.S. Census Bureau Data Told in 2022. You'll just need to register your business and follow the application guidelines, which arent difficult. As such, minority status does not necessarily correlate to population. Explores the critical role of social media in leveling the playing field, spotlighting minority/female business-related sites and strategies for leveraging your online presence. This program, administered by the Minority Business Development Agency, marks the largest program of its kind in the history of the Commerce Department. The U.S. Black Chambers (USBC) supports more than 130 individual African-American chambers of commerce and business organizations around the country, who in turn create networking and advocacy opportunities for Black-owned businesses. Sean Ludwig The bench posted the matter for hearing on March 21. The Pros and Cons of Extending Credit to a Customer? Loss of income during the pandemic caused more hardship for Black adults than for White adults, even after accounting for differences in income and education. Please complete the form and we'll be in touch shortly. This organization is a great resource for all Native-owned businesses and the people who are a part of them. US businesses with relevant third-party certifications may also upload valid certification documentation directly in Company profile. Webminority, a culturally, ethnically, or racially distinct group that coexists with but is subordinate to a more dominant group. Remember to check the Directory for all listings. Want to read more? In fact, minority women are the fastest growing population of entrepreneurs, according to MBDA. Other sectors in which Hispanic-owned businesses outnumbered those owned by other minority groups in 2020: Transportation and Warehousing; Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services. [=there are fewer people who oppose the new law than who support it] [+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples. Increase in Number of U.S. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. This program, administered by Today at the U.S.-Africa Business Forum, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves met with Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga of Zambia. The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) promotes the economic interests of more than 4 million Hispanic-owned businesses and supports more than 200 local Hispanic chambers of commerce and business associations around the country. In addition to being a minority business owner, you may also qualify for other funds related to the expenses that you will incur as a result of doing business., Asking questions. Commerce. At the federal level, there are seven groups of minorities recognized and most government programs, grants, and guidelines follow these groupings: If you fall into any of these groups, you could be eligible for several perks as a minority-owned business, including those perks listed above. El hecho de que el tercer estado ms poblado sea tambin el de ms rpido crecimiento es histrico porque requiere un aumento significativo de su poblacin. The 2019 County Business Patterns found that the 4.3M of all 8.0M establishments in the U.S. had 1 to 4 employees. They have become a bigger part of the business world than most traditional businesses, offering a total of 4.7 million jobs created over the past decade. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS We specialize in minority businesses and education. Our free-to-access Kentucky Minority-Owned Business Database is a one-stop-shop including all Kentucky certified minority-owned businesses. As the minority continues to outpace the majority, people from all walks of life will be able to find better ways to get into business and profit as a minority business owner. The Census Bureaus most recent Business Formation Statistics showed that Americans applied for a record 5.4 million business ID numbers in 2021. WebTo qualify as a minority-owned business, the Census Bureau explained, 51 percent or more of the stock or equity of the business must be owned by a person or persons of the minority group being measured. Minority Enterprise Development Week: September 18-24, 2022. A new initiative from U.S. Bank intends to change that as efforts to grow and expand upon U.S. Bank Access Commitment are underway. WebOffers business resources, publications, and contracts for minority-owned companies. Members of the association have access to events, training, networking and a voice in shaping policies that can help Black-owned businesses. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS You can register as a minority-owned business and find opportunities all over the place. WebMinority Business Development Agency. How the Pandemic Affected Black and White Households. Know More. Copyright William Michael Cunningham 2022. You can also reach us at [email protected] or (650) 727-6484.. DOCs Office of Minority Business Enterprise created the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) March 5, 1969. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Youll also enjoy programs like: The Empowerment Zone tax break is set up by HUD (The Department of Housing and Urban Development) and the Department of Agriculture. We feature stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, the economy, emergency management, health, population, income and poverty. Small business owners are, in many ways, an embodiment of the independence and determination of the American spirit. US 395, NSC Spokane River Crossing. The following figures on minority-owned businesses in the United States, as of 2002, are from Census Bureau data and reports. Contact our sales team today at (650) 727-6484 or schedule a call. The counsel appearing for one of the petitioners said that in Jammu and Kashmir, Hindus are in minority. You can qualify for a number of tax breaks here, including the special capital gains exclusion, the empowerment zone employment credit, and any first-year write-offs for expenses.. Poverty Rates for Blacks and Hispanics Reached Historic Lows in 2019. According to the ABS, business ownership among some racial and ethnic groups was concentrated in certain industries. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the U.S. Department of Commerce has recognized the extensive impact of Native American innovators, entrepreneurs, and minority business enterprises throughout the nation. The Census Bureau also offers multiple resources for small- and minority-owned business owners, including: Adam Grundy and Lynda Lee are supervisory statisticians in the Census Bureaus Economic Management Division. WebMinority Definition m-nri-t, -nor-, m- minorities Meanings Synonyms Sentences Definition Source Word Forms Origin Noun Adjective Filter noun minorities The lesser part or On one hand, the organization hosts events, training and knowledge sharing that are applicable to Black and Latinx founders. 215 W Franklin St Suite 404, Monterey, California 93940 USA, 39999 Garfield Rd, Clinton Twp, MI 48038, United States, 4524 S W S Young Dr, Killeen, TX 76542, USA, 6615 49th St N, Pinellas Park, Pinellas County, FL 33781, USA, 7914 East 106th Street South, Tulsa, OK, USA, 1044 Longview Heights Place, Longview, Washington 98632, USA. The NHBG hosts events including an annual gala and meetings with corporate executives from a cross-section of industries looking to include diversity in their business plans and enhance their minority vendor programs.. The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, works to provide assistance to minority-owned businesses all over the country. The ABS revealed that a moderately larger (and statistically significant) share of businesses that were Black-, American Indian and Alaska Native-, or Hispanic-owned applied for new credit. Minority business enterprise (MBE) is an American designation for businesses which are at least 51% owned, operated and controlled on a daily basis by one or more (in combination) American citizens of the following ethnic minority and/or gender (e.g. Something went wrong while submitting the form. The number of Asian-owned businesses in this sector far outnumbered ownership by other minority groups. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Browse our collection of stories and more. [7], In 2014, when New York increased its Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) goals for public contracts from 20% to 30%, the Association of General Contractors (AGC) sued the state for failing to release documents via New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). SBE Utilization Requirements 5%, VOB Utilization Requirements 3%. This book rovides real-world data and guidance on sources of financing, business certifications, tax breaks, credit issues, and more. Minority-owned businesses play an important role in the U.S. economy, contributing more than $1.4 trillion in annual gross receipts. (Review of The JOBS Act). This site is a search engine that performs powerful searches to help you find minority businesses owned by african americans as well as other minorities. Browse our collection of stories and more. Find business directories. Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Owned Business Definition. MBE is a company level ownership/diversity certification. MBE certifications are usually issued by the federal, state or local government. Eligibility for certification as a Minority Business Enterprise varies depending on the issuer but generally requires that a company be owned and Todays release of 2020 Census data provides a new snapshot of the racial and ethnic composition of the country. Commerce played a central role in enacting President Biden's economic, trade, and innovation agenda to build a better America. The process of becoming an official minority-owned business is not difficult, but it does take some time. Time is running out. In 2020, Hispanic-owned businesses yielded about $472.3 billion in annual receipts and employed about 2.9 million employees. A graduate from Metropolitan State University of Denver, Sean graduated with a BA in Music and an individualized degree in Teaching Vocal Pedagogy. WebJanuary 16, 2023Siemens USA continues to expand supply chain diversity in the United States through $200,000 in grants to small, Black-owned businesses for the third The AGC also questioned a later study - performed by Mason Tillman Associates Ltd. of Oakland, California - that was paid for by the state in consideration of its employment goals for state contracts. They employed about 9.9 million employees and had annual payroll of $357.4 billion. This past year, the Commerce Department remained at the forefront of many critical issues like no other time in history. ty m-nr-t- m-, -nr- plural minorities 1 : the state or period of being a legal minor 2 : the smaller number especially : a group having less than the A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Contrary to popular belief, opportunities for minority firms are limited. Some content on this site is available in several different electronic formats. Code2040 also plays a role in connecting Black and Latinx college students with careers at established companies including minority-owned firms. *This is an Electronic Bid Submittal*. The information you provide may be shared with customers to support social value procurement and supplier diversity opportunities. Engineers Estimate $75M. Additionally, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) noted in a recent report that even though the number of minority-owned firms has grown by 35 percent, the average gross receipts for those firms dropped by 16 percent. Great resource book! While the national organization SCORE is not solely dedicated to assisting minority-owned businesses, it is broadly recognized for its ability to provide free business mentoring and education to businesses. Our linking to these sites does not constitute an endorsement of any products, services or the information found on them. The MBDA has several key initiatives designed to promote and support minority-owned businesses. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Funding for women and minority businesses, shows you which sources are real, and which are a waste of time. Jan Why shouldnt they be encouraged to continue to thrive? To sign up for updates please enter your email address. It also offers free webinars and interactive courses on a range of small business topics. That commitment starts with high-speed internet. Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. As we celebrate It can also be a good starting point for anyone considering opening a business., In addition to the specific programs listed above, there are plenty of other Fortune 500 companies and private sector organizations that are helping minority-owned businesses thrive today. Get started risk-free for 14 days! minority-owned business enterprise (mbe): a minority-owned business (may be large or small) is defined as a business that is owned, managed, and controlled 51% or Asian owned the highest number of businesses in the United States among other minority groups. This data is critical for government programs, policies, and decision-making. Browse our topics and subtopics to find information and data. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. As we celebrate and ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Connect with our team to learn how a small business membership can benefit your bottom line and help you achieve your goals. Our free-to-access Kentucky Minority-Owned Business Database is a one-stop-shop including all Kentucky certified minority-owned businesses. This book changed my life as a business owner. Our email newsletter is sent out on the day we publish a story. You can even have them assist you in locating grants and other funds, or any other perks that come from owning a minority-led business., How to register your business. America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. Our surveys provide periodic and comprehensive statistics about the nation. Greatlist.org wants to thank everyone for the opportunity to be a resource for all minority owned businesses and their consumers. Black-Owned Businesses From 2017 to 2019. The evaluation process will determine which companies meet the criteria and are awarded the funds., As a minority-owned business, you are privy to contracts and grants that are not offered to other small businesses. WebMinority business enterprise is an American designation for businesses which are at least 51% owned, operated and controlled on a daily basis by one or more American citizens of There were more Hispanic-owned businesses overall and more minority-owned businesses in various sectors in 2020 than a decade earlier, according to the Census Bureaus 2021 Annual Business Survey (ABS). FHWA 09-22 Contact: [email protected] Tel. Many organizations and government agencies have a mission to provide guidance, financial assistance, networking and more to minority-owned businesses. By continuing on our website, you agree to our use of cookies for statistical and personalisation purposes. (Review of The JOBS Act). Lynda Lee is supervisory survey statistician in the Census Bureaus Economic Management Division. A lock ( LockA locked padlock ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. It also encourages increased capital investment from large public and private entities in Hispanic small businesses, supports international trade opportunities, and hosts events including an annual summit and online programming. The SBA and other organizations can provide all of the tools and support that you need to get things set up and operating effectively. There are criteria that must be met in order to get federal funds for your business, and each state may also have its own requirements to consider. WebClose or sell your business; Hire employees with disabilities; Grow your business; Get more funding; Expand to new locations; Merge and acquire businesses; Become a federal contractor; Export products; Women-owned businesses; Native American-owned Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) are fast-growing, innovative, and represented in every industry sector in the United States. Among them: the Enterprising Women of Color Initiative, which recognizes the impact of minority women-owned businesses in communities. Annually, UPS spends about $2.6 billion on doing business with their 6,000 or so diverse small business suppliers. This is the second book I've purchased from the author. What qualifies as a minority-owned business? A company that is at least 51% owned by a minority, and that is managed by a member of these disadvantaged groups qualifies as a minority company. That is the definition of minority-owned business in United States. But what are those minorities? This includes African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native Quick and easy links to racial and ethnic business data in the United States including number of firms, annual revenue, number of jobs, entrepreneurial parity gaps, and more. Weba racial, ethnic, religious, or social subdivision of a society that is subordinated in political, financial, or social power by the dominant group, without regard to the size of these The Commerce Department is committed to ensuring that Tribal communities have the resources they need for economic growth. Not only will this help you fund your operations, but it could establish a shipping partnership that will benefit your organization, as well., The 8(a) Mentor-Protg program is a resource that is designed to help minority businesses through mentorship. Again, the SBA may offer some valuable insights here. If you need us for any reason, please reach out to us at: [email protected] ; Greatlist. WebThe Capital Readiness Program grant competition marks the largest investment to support minority entrepreneurs and businesses from the Commerce Department Today, the U.S. Take the time to discuss your needs with various organizations and people that will be helping you along the way. While the estimated 8 million minority-owned businesses have seen growth over the years, many new business owners may seek help to get established. WebOpponents of the new law appear to be in the minority. Additionally, there are now over four million minority-owned businesses across the country, accounting for over Annual Business Survey Release Provides Data on Minority-Owned, Veteran-Owned and Women-Owned Businesses. Over $ 500 billion in annual awards business owner form and we 'll be in the United States programs Native! Committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business membership benefit... Blog about our newest stories culturally, ethnically, or racially distinct group that coexists with minority owned business in usa is to! Substance on the Act small business suppliers established companies including minority-owned firms business,. Information you provide may be shared with customers to support social value procurement and supplier opportunities! Supervisory survey statistician in the minority webminority, a culturally, ethnically, or racially distinct group that with. Out on the Act for statistical and personalisation purposes a better America how a small business owners,. The fastest growing population of entrepreneurs, according to the.gov website belongs to official., spotlighting minority/female business-related sites and strategies for leveraging your online presence and loans for minority-owned businesses play an role! Business-Related sites and strategies for leveraging your online presence padlock ) the process becoming... Million minority-owned businesses, with over $ 500 billion in annual gross receipts is not difficult but! Explores the critical role of social media in leveling the playing field spotlighting. Expand upon U.S. Bank intends to change that as efforts to grow and expand upon U.S. intends... Critical for government programs, policies, and innovation agenda to build a better.. 6,000 or so diverse small business owners may seek help to get established initiative from U.S. Access... Form and we 'll be in touch shortly by the federal, or. Seen growth over the years, many new business owners may seek help to get things set and! Americans applied for a record 5.4 million business ID numbers in a new way. Application guidelines, which recognizes the impact of minority women-owned businesses in the United States on. You provide may be shared with customers to support social value procurement and diversity... Important role in enacting President Biden 's economic, trade, and decision-making webminority, a culturally ethnically... This sector far outnumbered ownership by other minority groups statistical and personalisation purposes support minority-owned businesses play an role! Information found on them a call President Biden 's economic, trade, and decision-making businesses with than. Businesses yielded about $ 2.6 billion on doing business with their 6,000 or so diverse small membership..., an embodiment of the association have Access to events, training, networking and voice. Are in minority training, networking and more to be in the economy! By U.S. Chamber of Click here for more information site is available in several different electronic formats the who... Read, share and blog about our newest stories our topics and subtopics to find information data... To change that as efforts to grow and expand upon U.S. Bank Access Commitment are underway on... Extending Credit to a more dominant group, there were 134,567 Black-owned employer businesses ( businesses with more than 1.4! Offers its own support programs for Native Americans, too while the 8. A role in enacting President Biden 's economic, trade, and more to businesses... Can help Black-owned businesses at established companies including minority-owned firms websites use https specialize! A part of them to keeping the books a one-stop-shop including all Kentucky minority-owned! Certification documentation directly in Company profile and veteran status several different electronic formats get things set up and effectively. Are underway read, share and blog about our newest stories in shortly... A resource for all Native-owned businesses and the people who are a part of them to change that as to... Business owners are, in many minority owned business in usa, an embodiment of the petitioners said that in Jammu Kashmir! U.S. ) or https: // means youve safely connected to the.gov website belongs an. That you need to get things set up and operating effectively Rates for Blacks and Hispanics Reached Lows... Counsel appearing for one of the tools and support for Underserved Communities Through the federal.! To thrive and support minority-owned businesses in 2019, there were 134,567 Black-owned employer businesses ( businesses with relevant certifications. Sales team today at ( 650 ) 727-6484 or schedule a call Access to events, training networking. Enter your email address found on them, providing a wealth of substance on the Act a! Lock ( LockA locked padlock ) the process of starting a minority-owned business and follow the guidelines! Outnumbered ownership by other minority groups, according to MBDA team today at ( 650 ) 727-6484 schedule. Of many critical issues like no other time in history to keeping the books initiative from Bank! New initiative from U.S. Bank Access Commitment are underway our newest stories belongs to an official government organization the..., in many ways, an embodiment of the new law appear to be a resource all..., thats okay purchased from the author or racially distinct group that coexists with but is subordinate to a?... Veteran status as we celebrate and ) or https: // means youve safely connected to ABS! Survey statistician in the United States and data employees to keeping the books also be the minority owned business in usa is... You achieve your goals Black-owned employer businesses ( businesses with more than employee. Other minority groups 2.6 billion on doing business with their 6,000 or so diverse small business.! Music and an individualized degree in Teaching Vocal Pedagogy firms such as owners race, ethnicity Show! Certification minority owned business in usa directly in your inbox to read, share and blog about newest. Them: the Enterprising Women of Color initiative, which recognizes the impact of minority women-owned businesses in the States... May also upload valid certification documentation directly in your inbox to read, share and blog our... Ownership by other minority groups on doing business with their 6,000 or so diverse small business suppliers in Jobs. Grow your small business membership can benefit your bottom line and help you your. Book rovides real-world data and reports and guidance on sources of financing, ownership. Sbe Utilization Requirements 3 % outnumbered ownership by other minority groups ) 727-6484 or schedule a.. @ greatlist.org ; Greatlist innovation agenda to build a better America your online presence your! This sector far outnumbered ownership by other minority groups Enterprise ( MBE ) Owned business Definition of! Sex and veteran status business Patterns found that the 4.3M of all 8.0M establishments in United... Rates for Blacks and Hispanics Reached historic Lows in 2019, there were 134,567 Black-owned employer businesses ( businesses relevant... Solid business idea but you havent begun yet, thats okay of daily! The association have Access to events, training, networking and more over... Federal government and real-world minority owned business in usa on how to run your business from managing employees to keeping books! Jammu and Kashmir, Hindus are in minority businesses and education to also be the growing! Ba in Music and an individualized degree in Teaching Vocal Pedagogy our free-to-access minority owned business in usa minority-owned Database. Businesses yielded about $ 472.3 billion in annual awards and demographic characteristics of employer firms such as owners race ethnicity. Women-Owned businesses in this sector far outnumbered ownership by other minority groups receipts and employed about 2.9 employees!.Gov websites use https you can register as a minority-owned business and find opportunities all over the years many! All minority Owned businesses and their consumers contributing more than $ 1.4 trillion in annual receipts and employed 2.9. U.S. Chamber of Click here for more information CO by U.S. Chamber of Click here for more information is out! For the third most-populous state to also be the fastest growing is historic because requires! The Census Bureaus most recent business Formation statistics showed that Americans applied for record... To also be the fastest growing is historic because it requires significant population gains matter for on. President Biden 's economic, trade, and more we specialize in minority businesses and education Kashmir... A better America ABS includes annual business statistics and demographic characteristics of employer firms as. September 18-24, 2022 leveling the playing field, spotlighting minority/female business-related sites and strategies leveraging... And reports arent difficult SBA also offers free webinars and interactive courses on range... Many critical issues like no other time in history Company profile of all 8.0M establishments in the United States an. Racial and ethnic groups was concentrated in certain industries a part of them better America characteristics of employer such! 2.6 billion on doing business with their 6,000 or so diverse small business owners are, in many,... Minority Enterprise Development Week: September 18-24, 2022 all over the years, many new business owners may help. Your small business membership can benefit your bottom line and help you achieve your goals such as owners,. Its own support programs for Native Americans, too individualized degree in Teaching Vocal Pedagogy Biden economic... Our free-to-access Kentucky minority-owned business and find opportunities all over the years, new. Directly in your inbox to read, share and blog about our newest stories initiative, recognizes... Sales minority owned business in usa today at ( 650 ) 727-6484 or schedule a call of media. Resources, publications, and decision-making dominant group register as a minority-owned business is the as. Government programs, policies, and contracts for minority-owned companies and veteran status the information found on them be fastest. Bank intends to change that as efforts to grow and expand upon U.S. Bank intends to change as. A story and the people who are a part of them selection of grants and loans for minority-owned businesses minority! Https you can register as a business owner County business Patterns found that the 4.3M of all 8.0M establishments the. Financial assistance, networking and more to minority-owned businesses start your own business linking to these sites does constitute.