Business Resources

Open to Business

Open to Business is a great resource for small and emerging businesses that need help with financing, licensing and regulatory issues, or to answer questions about strategies for managing day-to-day tasks. Start up financing may be available to businesses who qualify.

Washington County’s contact at Open to Business is Tyler Hilsabeck. Feel free to reach out to Tyler with questions at thilsabeck@mccdmn.org or by calling (612) 789-8838.

SCORE

SCORE, "Counselors to America’s Small Business,” provide free and confidential business counseling tailored to meet the needs of your small business and your personal objectives. SCORE assists people who are starting a new business, buying or selling a business or need counseling on an existing small business. Click here to schedule a one to one meeting with a SCORE mentor Click here to learn more.

SCORE Business Workshops

SCORE Business Workshops focus on topics that are important to you (from marketing to growth, and business planning to funding opportunities). Each round table is facilitated by a SCORE mentor and are designed to help you grow your business network, discuss topics that matter to you, get feedback and helpful advice, learn from the success of others and connect with experts and entrepreneurs. Click here to learn more. 

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

• The Small Business Development Center in St. Paul provides consulting for business planning, market research and analysis, financial planning and loan packaging.

U.S. Small Business Administration

• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve competitive free enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Click here to visit SBA's Web site.

Tax Information for Small Business

The Internal Revenue Service for Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center has useful tax information and services for business owners. The tax center can help whether you are starting, operating or closing a business. You can apply for an Employer Identification Number online or get a form you need. If you want employment tax information, go to the Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center and use the A-Z index to find whatever you need.

More Tools & Resources: 

• IRS Video Portal. Watch helpful videos and webinars on a variety of topics from filing and paying your taxes to understanding the IRS audit process.
• Online Tools. The Tax Calendar for Small Businesses and Self-Employed features e-filing and e-paying options alerts for important filing dates and tax tips. You can order a wall calendar or install the IRS CalendarConnector and access important tax dates for small businesses right from your desktop.
• Small Business Events and Educational Products.  The online Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop has nine interactive lessons designed to help you understand and meet your federal tax obligations. You can also find free IRS small business workshops and other events planned in your state.
• IRS Stakeholder Partnership Education & Communication (SPEC)

Go to the Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center and use the A-Z index to find whatever you need. Click here to learn more.