Stafford County is a business-friendly community with simple processes for opening or operating a business. Whether a large or small business, franchise or entrepreneurship, companies located in Stafford have access to knowledgeable County staff and a wide variety of helpful resources.
NEW BUSINESSES: Brand new businesses, as well as companies interested in opening new facilities in Stafford, should follow four local-government steps*:
Step 1: File a 'Fictitious Business Name' Certificate with the Stafford County Circuit Court. (540) 658-8750.^
Step 2: Register the business with the Stafford County Commissioner of Revenue’s Office. (540) 658-4132.^ (Please note that this registration is required in place of filing a business license in Stafford.)
Step 3: Meet with Planning and Zoning Department Staff to ensure compliance with Stafford County Code. (540) 658-8668.^
Step 4: Check with the Economic Development Department to receive the latest business assistance resources. (540) 658-8681.^
^ - All of the above departments are located at the Stafford Government Center at 1300 Courthouse Rd., Stafford, VA 22554. Links to the above agencies are listed further down this page.
*Prior to completing the local steps listed above, entrepreneurs should consult Virginia Business One-Stop, a website which provides valuable guidance and important information related to starting a business in Virginia. Steps for starting a VA business include:
1. Choose a business structure
2. Register your business and its name
3. Get tax numbers
4. Obtain licenses
5. Open your doors
EXISTING BUSINESSES: Businesses already in operation should visit the "Relocating a Business" and "Business Retention & Expansion" web pages for additional info. Contact the Economic Development Department for assistance. Also, the VA One Stop website does include information for those already running a business, considering expansion, or interested in relocation to Virginia.
QUICK "STARTING A
BUSINESS" RESOURCE LINKS
Local Links & Business Resources
Stafford County Government (local government)
- Clerk of the Circuit Court - business name registration [dba]
- Commissioner of the Revenue - business tax rates; tax forms
- Economic Development Authority - new industry and commerce financing
- Economic Development Dept. - letter stating "No County Business License"
- Financial Resources - e-commerce grant, incentives, financing resources
- Planning & Zoning Dept. - plan review; zoning regulations & determinations; property-deed information; rezoning & conditional use permit
- Public Works Dept. - building permit; inspection; certificate of occupancy
- Purchasing Dept. - vendor registration; Stafford Govt. contract bid notification
(Note: This CD is out of print. You can view the programs online by clicking here, but please note that some data is outdated. Please contact the agencies referenced for the most current license applications, tax forms, info., etc.)
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Regional Links & Business
Resources
State Links & Business
Resources
- business advocacy, marketing, networking;
non-profit membership organization
- Certified Development
Company; small business long-term, fixed-rate financing
- small business assistance, consulting,
resources & seminars
- "One-Stop" Business Start-Up Program - financing, development assistance
- Dept. of Business Assistance (DBA) - business formation, financing, incentives
- Dept. of Minority Business Enterprise (DMBE) - Small, Women, and Minority-owned (SWaM) business certification; training, contracting, financing, partnerships
- Dept. of Professional
& Occupational Regulations (DPOR) - licenses &
certification;
- Professional Boards for various trades (i.e. architects, barbers, contractors, cosmetologists, engineers, realtors, etc.)
- eVA - Virginia Procurement - vendor registration; state/local govt. contracting
- Small Business Administration (SBA) of VA - assistance, news, events, resources
- State Corporation
Commission (SCC) - Office of the Clerk - registration for Va.
and foreign corporations, limited liability companies, general & limited
partnerships, business trusts, Uniform Commercial Code)
- Bureau of Insurance - business insurance laws, procedures, forms, reports
- Business Registration - SCC forms and fees
Nonprofit Learning
Point (NLP) - educational programs for non-profit
organizations
National Links & Business
Resources
- U.S. Dept. of Commerce
- Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
- business plans, financing, marketing, management, technical assist.
- Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
- U. S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT)
- Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization
(OSDBU)
- small business opportunities, technical assistance, financial services
- Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization
(OSDBU)
- U.S. Small
Business Administration
- counsels, assists, protects small business interests- Business Development - small & disadvantaged business development and certification
- Financial Assistance - loan programs, grant facts, bond information
- Office of Women Business Ownership - women-owned business training and counseling