Get some real-life (offline) info about buisness partners in the USA

[antirack]

Doing business online is easy and fast, but sometimes I would like to get some info about a company before I sign a contract or type in CC numbers and such.

Is there a way to do something like a company research for USA companies that tells you about that company? Information like how long they existed, who's behind the company, how many employees they do have and such would be very valuable.

I know that something like that exists for Europe, where you have to be member of ie. Creditreform or others and you have 5 such reports for free every month (actually included in the member fee).

Any ideas of getting such info not too expensive and without signing up for 5 years?

[Edit: excuse the typo in the subject, there seem to be no way to edit]

[CernyM]

Hoovers and Dun&Bradstreet both provide this sort of information. Not sure on costs for either of them, but I don't think its exhoribant.