WASHINGTON – Business.gov, the official business link to the U.S. government, has launched new search features and expanded content that make it easier for small business owners to find information they need to run their operations, according to the Web site.

The information available includes forms, licenses, permits and regulatory information from federal, state and local governments.

Besides federal government resources, business owners can access more than 9,000 state, territory, county, and city government Web sites providing information on starting and managing a business while complying with regulations from all levels of government.

Business.gov’s new search service is a “mashup” of Google-based services that include Google’s Custom Search Business Edition, Google Maps, the Google Search Appliance and publicly available compliance information culled from federal, state and local government Web sites.

Business.gov has also expanded the content of its Small Business Guides, which help business owners understand what regulations and programs apply to them, how to comply and how to stay in compliance while growing and managing their operations.

Business.gov’s expansion follows the recent addition of a new “Permit Me” feature, providing a single source for information on obtaining federal, state and local permits, business licenses and registrations for types of businesses most popular with Business.gov users.

Business.gov is managed by the U.S. Small Business Administration in a partnership with 21 federal agencies.