MIAMI COUNTY

BUSINESS START-UP

GUIDE

A Practical Resource Guide for Individuals Interested in Starting a New Business

Published by Miami County Department of Economic Development

August 2005

Miami County Economic Development

510 W. Water St. ý#110

Troy, OH 45373

Phone 937-440-8121 ýý

Email info@miamicountyoh.org

Web www.miamicountyoh.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION_ 1

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOC.'s_ 1

THE SMALLBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS (SBDC) 3

Other Small Business Related Resources: 5

OHIO 1^st STOP BUSINESS CONNECTION_ 6

CHECKLIST FOR GOING INTO BUSINESS_ 6

FEASIBILITY & DETERMINING THE EXTENT OF MARKET_ 8

STRUCTURING THE BUSINESS_ 9

Sole Proprietorship 9

Partnership 9

Corporation 10

S Corporation 10

THE BUSINESS PLAN_ 11

SELECTING A LOCATION_ 16

ZONING CONSIDERATIONS_ 16

LICENSING & PERMITS_ 16

LOCAL PERMIT PROCESS_ 16

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS_ 16

OHIO 1^st STOP BUSINESS CONNECTION_ 17

BUSINESS RECORDS_ 17

SELECTING A CPA OR ACCOUNTANT 18

SELECTING YOUR ATTORNEY_ 19

INSURANCE_ 19

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE_ 19

HIRING & JOB TRAINING_ 21

MIAMI COUNTY JOB CENTER_ 21

WELFARE-TO-WORK JOBS TAX CREDIT 21

JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS_ 21

TAX & REGULATORY INFORMATION_ 22

VENDOR'S PERMIT 22

SALES TAX EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE_ 22

OHIO SALES AND USE TAX GUIDE_ 22

STATE TAX INFORMATION_ 23

FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION_ 23

SOCIAL SECURITY_ 23

OHIO UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION_ 23

OHIO WORKERS COMPENSATION_ 24

WORKERS' COMP. GROUP RATING_ 24

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH ACT 24

WAGE & HOUR REGULATIONS_ 24

CIVIL RIGHTS INFORMATION_ 25

BUYING A BUSINESS_ 25

FRANCHISING_ 26

INVENTIONS, NEW TECHNOLOGY, PATENTS & TRADEMARKS_ 26

EDISON TECHNOLOGY CENTERS_ 26

OTHER TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS_