Site revamped with business in mind

As part of a major redesign of its online presence, the New England office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently launched its first Web site for the region's small businesses.

Much of the information found at the Small Business First Stop Environmental Homepage (www.epa.gov/region01/steward/smallbusiness) was available previously — but hard to find — on the EPA's New England regional site, said Tony D'Avanzo, special assistant to the regional administrator. He said the new site for small businesses presents information in a much more user-friendly, centralized manner.

Small-business owners can use the site to find:

* Full text and summaries of local, state and federal laws and regulations.

* Experts who can help solve technical problems.

* Equipment, products and services that help reduce pollution and waste of natural resources.

Web site content was developed in collaboration with state environmental agencies, organizations and businesses, D'Avanzo said. The site has extensive links to state and interstate agencies and organizations, such as the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials.