Entrepreneurship and Small Business
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1st Stop Business Connection
(800) 248-4040 or (614) 466-4232
Ohio is taking key strides to provide the key climate for entrepreneurs and small businesses. A bedrock of Ohio's sweeping 2005 Tax Reform was to reward entrepreneurial and start-up activity by not taxing a company's first $1 million in annual gross receipts. This helps new businesses become established and show an earlier profit.
In 2007, the Ohio Department of Development created the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division to provide assistance to business owners and entrepreneurs in order to encourage both the creation and the expansion of small businesses throughout the State of Ohio. Its mission is to provide innovative programs and services to Ohio entrepreneurs and small business owners, through effective communication, collaboration, creativity and technology support, to encourage sustainable growth. The 1st Stop Business Connection provides entrepreneurs with the information required to start a business and the Small Business Development Centers of Ohio (SBDC) program supports the in-depth counseling services to small business owners through the SBDC network of local service providers.
The Ohio Labor Management Cooperation Program (OLMCP) is also administered within this office. The OLMCP grant supports area labor management committees and centers for advancement of labor management cooperation as they create stable and positive work environments by nurturing cooperative labor-management relationships.
Read more about the following programs:
- 1st Stop Business Connection
- Small Business Development Centers of Ohio (SBDC)
- Ohio Edison Incubators
- Ohio Small Business Energy Saver
- Small Business Register
- Minority Business Enterprise Division
- Women's Programs
- Ohio Business Gateway
1st Stop Business Connection
The 1st Stop Business Connection (formerly the One-Stop Business Permit Center) provides free, comprehensive business information kits about state-level business regulations as well as licensing and permit requirements. 1st Stop also distributes many of the state's business forms such as Articles of Incorporation and Business Name Registration, as well as a document outlining Ohio's Business Financing Opportunities. Each kit is tailored to the specific type of business (retail, business service, manufacturing, etc.). The 1st Stop Business Connection is a service of the Ohio Department of Development's Small Business Development Centers of Ohio program and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Contact: 1st Stop Business Connection at (614) 466-4232 or (800) 248-4040.
Small Business Development Centers of Ohio (SBDC)
The Small Business Development Centers of Ohio (SBDC) provide free, confidential, in-depth business consulting to pre-venture, start-up, and existing small business throughout the state. Ohio's more than 30 SBDCs also serve as a clearinghouse of federal, state and local regulation information affecting small businesses. The SBDC program is provided through a partnership between the Ohio Department of Development, U.S. Small Business Administration and several of Ohio's chambers of commerce, colleges and universities.
Contact: Small Business Development Centers of Ohio at (614) 466-2711 or (800) 848-1300 to find your local SBDC.
Ohio Edison Incubators
The Ohio Department of Development established the Edison Technology Incubator Program (view map of incubators) to assist technology-oriented start-ups during their concept definition and development stages. Incubators allow entrepreneurs to concentrate their limited resources on the development of their product/service by drawing upon the proven expertise and support of the incubator. A professional management team from each Edison Incubator provides expert business advice to their clients. These management teams can assist Incubator clients in areas such as concept evaluation, business plan development, capital acquisition, strategic business and financial planning, and access to technology and technical support. Learn more about Ohio's Edison Incubators»
What follows are links to Ohio's Edison Technology Incubators:
Northeast Ohio
- The Northeast Ohio Incubator Collaborative
- Youngstown - Youngstown Business Incubator
- Cleveland - Jumpstart
- Akron - Akron Global Business Accelerator
- Elyria - Great Lakes Innovation & Development Enterprise
- Cleveland - MAGNET
Central Ohio
Southeast Ohio
Southwest Ohio
- Dayton - Dayton Enterprise Center
- Cincinnati - BIOSTART
- Cincinnati - Hamilton County Development Company
North Central Ohio
Northwest Ohio
Ohio Small Business Energy Saver
The Ohio Small Business Energy Saver can help small businesses find ways to save on energy expenses. NEW
Small Business Register
A weekly listing of proposed agency rules and regulations affecting small business and organizations.
Contact: Office of Small Business at (614) 466-2718 or (800) 848-1300.
Minority Business Enterprise Division
The Minority Business Enterprise Division aids in the creation of a business environment in Ohio sensitive to the particular needs of minority business enterprises and assists in their growth and development. The realization of this objective will strengthen the minority business community and will contribute to the general economic health of the State of Ohio. The Division also provides services to non-minority, small and disadvantaged businesses (Please review the program descriptions for eligibility).
Women's Programs
The Women's Programming will provide valuable resources to women entrepreneurs to help overcome the barriers that impede business success. These resources include training, procurement, marketing, networking and counseling through our Small Business Development Center network. Additionally, the Directory of Women-Owned Businesses will identify companies throughout the state by industry and location.
Contact: (614) 466-2718 or (800) 848-1300 ext. 6-2718
Ohio Business Gateway
The Ohio Business Gateway is the state's electronic file and payment system. It's purpose is to simplify the relationship between business and state government. Its goal is to help you finish the transaction, find the information you need as efficiently as possible, and get you back to what matters most—running and growing your business.
Ohio Business Tax Guide 2008
This guide provides answers to many of the tax questions frequently asked by individuals who operate a business or who want to start a business in Ohio. It is particularly designed to assist small, start-up businesses.
This publication is offered as an informational resource to all businesses looking for help in complying with Ohio's state and local tax laws. Each section explains the tax's general provisions, who pays the tax, the tax base and rates, any credits that apply, filing procedures, the primary forms used, and important steps to take if a business is shut down. The information in this guide includes all changes in the law through July 1, 2007. Each section also includes a contact list for further information.