Starting a Business in the City of Thomaston, GA

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BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF THOMASTON STEPS TO OPENING A BUSINESS STEPS TO OBTAINING FINANCING USEFUL CONTACTS & REFERENCES

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BUSINESS Get Your Business Started Follow this basic step-by-step guide to plan your business venture in Thomaston. Utilize the useful contacts and references provided to guide you along the way.

USEFUL CONTACTS & REFERENCES

#1SELF ASSESSMENT / BUSINESS IDEA

If you have dreamed of owning your own business and have an idea that you believe to be worth exploring, Thomaston’s Economic Development office has compiled a directory of contacts and references to assist you as you assess the feasibility of turning your dream into a reality.

#2 PERFORM MARKET RESEARCH

To ensure your business idea is viable and sustainable, it is important that you gather market research data.

– Determine who your anticipated customer will be and research your target market.

– Identify your local/regional competition to determine if there is room for growth.

If you need market information, review the Thomaston Market Analysis on the City of Thomaston Economic Development webpage.

Research not looking good? You may want to consider a different direction or business idea...

ANALYSIS & LOCATION/ #3 START-UP SITE SELECTION

To start (and sustain) a business, it is important to identify costs associated. Items to consider when determining what start-up will entail should include: – Location - Once you determine what area you want to locate your business, you will need to determine whether you will rent, build new, renovate existing, or purchase property that could assist in offsetting operational costs.

– Assets - It is critical to create a list of start-up needs required to operate your business (equipment, inventory, etc.)

– Finances - Estimate funds required for start-up and the investment needed to assist you in determing financing options for business start-up.

– Zoning - Ensure that the current zoning conforms to your new business and if not, determine feasibility to change and what steps are necessary to accomplish.

Costs a little bit high or cannot be sustained? You may want to go back to the drawing board

The Thomaston Economic Development office can assist you in obtaining the latest market data and research as well as provide insight into the local and regional economic forecast. The Thomaston Main Street and Thomaston Downtown Development Authority (DDA) were created to facilitate growth and maintain a network of successful businesses in Downtown Thomaston.

All of these divisions of the Economic Development office have access to tools and resources so that all businesses locating in Thomaston will have what they need to be successful. We create many community events throughout the year to drive traffic to our downtown businesses. Reach out to us and use our tools and experience to help your business thrive in our community.

Thomaston - Upson Chamber of Commerce

Office: 706.647.9686 Madison Ruttinger President Email: mruttinger@thomastongachamber.com The Thomaston-Upson Chamber and their county wide resources can be a great asset to your business and the initial development of your business concept. With over 300 members, representing business, industry, non-profit, individuals and public institutions, the Chamber of Commerce serves as a great networking organization to help you meet individuals in similar businesses who can help guide you toward achieving your goals. The Chamber host numerous educational and networking events throughout the year in Upson County.

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#4 WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN

A business plan is a written description of your business’s future, a document that tells what you plan to do and how you plan to do it.

It is a crucial step to starting a business and is a requirement for financing. Some components that will need to be included are: – Executive Summary – Business Description – Market Analysis – Organization Management – Sales Strategies – Funding Requirements – Financial Projections It is always helpful to include any supporting documents that may be required based on your business type. Assistance with this step is available locally (see useful contacts & references.)

#5 RESEARCH & OBTAIN FINANCING

In Downtown Thomaston there are additional resources not available in other areas of the city. The City of Thomaston is designated a Rural Zone Community by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, which offers State Tax Credits for Building Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Job Creation. Considering Downtown for your new project could result in additional financial assistance.

Thomaston DDA offers a local Façade Grant Program, along with other state & regional funding opportunities.

Thomaston Downtown Development Authority offers grant programs, facade improvement, and many other state and regional funding opportunities.

#6 START-UP CHECKLIST

Once you have completed steps 1-5, you will need to formalize your business with the local, state, and federal governing bodies. The following supporting documents will be required when submitting an Occupational Tax Certificate: – ID – Valid Lease Agreement or Deed (Proof of Ownership) – Articles of Incorporation (If LLC) – State License – Notarized Occupational Tax Certificate Application – Zoning Verification Letter If Food Related: – Department of Agriculture Permit – Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Permit – Environmental Health Permit

#7 ZONING VERIFICATION

Once you have identified a potential site, you must verify your intended use is allowed in this zoning district. This can be done by contacting the City of Thomaston City Clerk, Mrs. Oasis Nichols at onichols@cityofthomaston.com.

(This should be completed prior to purchase of property or lease signing.)

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The University of Georgia (Columbus Office) Todd Carlisle, Area Director 706.569.2651 tcarlisle@georgiasbdc.org The UGA Small Business Development Center in Macon provides economic development assistance for small businesses with nocost consulting services and low cost educational programs.

Their experienced business consultants are available to help clients develop and update business plans, identify sources of capital, set up record keeping systems, analyze financial records, conduct specialized research, create marketing strategies, conduct operational and financial diagnostic assessments, and more.

Consider a SBA Loan through your preferred banking partner.

The SBA works with lenders to provide loans to small businesses.

The agency doesn’t lend money directly to small business owners. Instead, it sets guidelines for loans made by its partnering lenders. The SBA reduces risk for lenders and makes it easier for them to access capital. That makes it easier for small businesses to get loans.

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#8 OCCUPATIONAL TAX CERTIFICATE

BUSINESS LICENSE All businesses operating in the City of Thomaston are required to obtain an Occupational Tax Certificate. This application can be found on the City Website or picked up at City Hall. If your business includes the sale or consumption of alcohol, local & state licensing is required.

Information regarding this process can be found on the City Website or by reaching out to the City of Thomaston Code Enforcement Officer, Mr. Phillip Harrell at permits@cityofthomaston.com.

#9 CONSTRUCTION / MODIFICATIONS Additional Notes: Special consideration must be given when working in the food industry. In addition, when planning a major rehabilitation where work will encroach on public property (i.e. sidewalks, parking spaces, etc,) special permissions must be given by governing authorities.

– If your business will be in the food industry, contact the Department of Agriculture, the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Division of Public Works and the Upson County Environmental Health.

– Contact City of Thomaston Building Department before demolition, construction, or modification to determine required building plans and permits.

– Before constructing or modifying a building, a Zoning Verification Letter must be obtained to determine if the property is located within a district that required special approvals for exterior building components or landscaping requirements.

– If you are modifying/remodeling an existing building, contact state licensed contractors to investigate the planned development, and coordinate with the Building Department for required approvals to occupy the intended space.

– If you need a dumpster for construction or demolition, contact GFL Environmental Services.

– If you are constructing a new building and will be disturbing more than one-acre and containing more than 5,000 square feet of impervious area, you will be required to supply a stormwater management plan to be reviewed by the city engineer or his designee.

– If you will be disturbing city road(s) or side walks contact City of Thomaston Public Works.

– Signs and temporary banners require permits; however, some sign types are not allowed. Contact Planning and Zoning for Sign Ordinance specifics.

USEFUL CONTACTS & REFERENCES City of Thomaston Planning and Zoning Mrs. Oasis Nichols (City Clerk) Office: 706.647.4242 City of Thomaston Occupational Tax Certificate Ms. Kemetrice Ellerbee Office: 706.647.6633 City of Thomaston Public Works Office: 706.647.7144 City of Thomaston Finance Department Office: 706.647.6633 City of Thomaston Building Department Mr. John Baxter (Building Official) Office: 706.647.6633 City of Thomaston Electric Department Office: 706.647.3145 City of Thomaston - Water and Wastewater Office: 706.646.8031 City of Thomaston - Garbage and Yard Waste Service GFL Environmental, 706.647.8490 Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Division of Public Works Mr. Heath Jarriel Office: 706.646.8031 Upson County Environmental Health Mr. Ben Trotter, ben.trotter@dph.ga.gov Office: 706.647.5749 Upson County Occupational Tax Certificate Office: 706.647.6633 Upson County Health Department Office: 706.647.7148

City of Thomaston Economic Development Taylor Smith, Economic Development Coordinator tsmith@cityofthomaston.org 706.601.4520

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