The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. A database of all Federal programs available to state and local governments, federally-recognized Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of the United States; domestic public, quasi-public, and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized groups; and individuals. www.cfda.gov

Federal Assistance Awards Data System. After the close of each quarter of the Federal fiscal year, the Federal Assistance Award Data System (FAADS) produces a file of standardized data records on financial assistance awards made by Federal agencies to recipients during the indicated quarter. http://www.census.gov/govs/www/faads.html

GeoData.gov U.S. Maps and Data: "Your one-stop for federal, state, and local geographic data." www.geodata.gov

Reed Construction Data: a resource for estimating construction costs. www.rsmeans.com

U.S. Census Bureau building permits database. http://www.census.gov/const/www/permitsindex.html