Every five years the U.S. Census Bureau will send out more than 4 million Economic Census Forms to businesses of every kind, from manufacturing to real estate to hotels and restaurants. This fall the forms will be coming from October to December to a business near you.

The information gathered isn’t just for the government though. Once the data is made available it can benefit local businesses too.

As a small or large business owner, you can use this information to gauge your competitors, locate new business marketing opportunities, enhance presentations and much more.  As a consumer you may find it useful to discover new places to shop.  Check it out at business.census.gov.