Your One-Stop Small Business Shop
Start your new business in Blount County with our comprehensive checklist and essential resources.
Funded by a grant provided by First Horizon
Facts About Small Businesses
33M
U.S. Small Businesses
21%
Minority Owned Small Businesses
22%
Women Owned Small Businesses
62M
People work in a Small Business
Business Startup Part 1
Starting Your Business, Part 1
Starting a business requires thorough research, strategic planning, and compliance to ensure transparency and legal adherence in financial reporting. If you’re an entrepreneur ready to launch your biz start-up, we offer essential resources, training, and counseling to help you connect with peers and succeed in your entrepreneurial journey.
1) Do your groundwork. Check to see if your chosen business name is available by searching both Tennessee’s Secretary of State database and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Choose your business structure to be sure you have the right mix of protections and benefits.
2) Deal with state and federal licenses and registrations. Get your State of Tennessee Business License, register your business with the Secretary of State, and get a Federal Employee Identification Number. Identify your business NAICS code.
3) Take care of local registration, licensing and permits. Depending on the nature of your business, you may also need a license from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Business Startup Part 2
Starting Your Business, Part 2
Every startup benefits from both a sound business plan and a marketing plan to help attract business. A business plan acts as a roadmap for each step, from start-up to growth. Just the process of creating the plan can help you think through all aspects of your business and answer questions before they arise. A solid plan can help you set goals, determine the resources needed, even get funding.
A marketing plan can help you differentiate your business in the public eye, attract and retain customers and meet your sales goals.
Explore our comprehensive list of organizations and documents designed to support innovation and entrepreneurship in Blount County. Connect with valuable training resources and co-working space at Sky City Entrepreneur Center, and counseling services through the Tennessee Small Business Development Center to streamline your business start-up process and collaborate with like-minded peers.
4) Resources for Creating a Business Plan:
Tennessee Small Business Development Consulting | Sky City Co-Starters | SCORE of Knoxville | Small Business Administration – Guide | Small Business Administration – Toolkit | Launch Tennessee | Startup Knox | Strive (Startup Training Resources Inspiring Veteran Entrepreneurship) | The Maker City | Everyday Entrepreneur Program | University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services
5) Resources for Creating a Marketing Plan:
Local Marketing Firms | Video Production Resources | Website Development Firms | Tennessee Small Business Development – Marketing Plan | IRS Small Business Forms and Publications | TSBDC – More Downloadable Resources
Demographics
Know Your Audience
Studying demographics is crucial as it helps identify target markets, understand consumer needs, and tailor products or services to different population segments. Local and regional research and data can help you identify important trends, opportunities, and challenges affecting your new business. Knowing the state of your local economy and the demographic makeup of its residents can guide your business decisions and goals, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in your start-up journey.
The ThinkTennessee Dashboard and Blount County Profile Tool are excellent resources for detailed information. Find population, education, income and business data at U.S. Census Blount Facts and Census Reporter. Learn more about other local businesses and potential for collaboration through the Blount County Chamber’s member directory.
Taxes & Insurance
Taxes & Insurance
Local, state and federal taxes, sales and use taxes, worker’s compensation—it’s a lot to understand, and important to get right.
Understanding and managing taxes and insurance are essential for a business to ensure compliance with legal obligations, protect assets, and mitigate financial risks.
This list of resources will help Blount County entrepreneurs and start-up business owners find the right information, from workshops to local businesses. There’s even information about tax incentives, health insurance options and regulatory assistance.
Resources for Insurance and Local, State and Federal Taxes
Common Taxes for New Businesses | Tennessee Franchise & Excise Tax | Tennessee Sales & Use Tax | Tennessee Sales & Use Tax registration | Tennessee Department of Revenue Business Tax | Tennessee Department of Revenue New Business Workshop | Tennessee Workers’ Compensation | Tennessee Unemployment Insurance | Blount Chamber List of General Liability Insurance | TN SmartStart Small Business Guide | TN SmartStart | One Big Beautiful Bill Act Guide
Finance & Funding
Finance & Funding
Finding financing and funding for a business involves exploring various options such as bank loans, venture capital, angel investors, crowdfunding, and government grants. In addition to traditional lending options, there are several community development and entrepreneurial support groups that can provide or help you find the money you need. These groups also offer resources for training, counseling, and connecting with peers.
Once your business is up and running, you’ll need accounting and tax services, payroll, and other administrative assistance. The resources in this list can help you hone in on organizations that offer the services, events, and guidance you need to succeed, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Blount County.
Blount Chamber Member Services Directories:
Local Accounting & Tax Services | Local Payroll Services | Local Lending Options
Community Funding and Assistance Resources:
865 Opportunity Fund/Pathway Funding | Innov865 Alliance | Community Development Financial Institutions Fund | Launch Tennessee | East Tennessee Development District Loan Programs | The Jump Fund for Women Entrepreneurs | Fund Tennessee | State Small Business Credit Initiative | Government Grants & Loans
Employers & Employees
Employers and Employees
Being a business owner in Blount County usually means hiring and managing employees. From wage standards to recordkeeping, being the boss can be complicated. The right information on finding and hiring employees, adhering to safety standards, and abiding by local and state laws is crucial to the ongoing success of any business.
Understanding the laws and rules that protect employers and employees is vital for maintaining a fair, safe, and legally compliant workplace, fostering positive relationships, and avoiding legal disputes. Our resources offer training, counseling, and connections with peers to help you navigate Blount County jobs and employment regulations.
Employer Responsibilities
Handy Reference Guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act | OSHA Rules | TOSHA | Regulatory Board | W4 form Employee Withholding | W2 form Wage & Tax Statement | Employee Eligibility Verification Form I-9 | Tennessee Labor Laws
Employee Recruitment
Employee Recruitment Agencies | Blount Area Job Board | American Job Centers | Jobs 4 TN | Tennessee Valley Youth Apprenticeships
Targeted Businesses
Targeted Business
Targeted business programs work to maximize opportunities for small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses to compete for government contracts, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. These programs empower businesses to grow, create jobs, and connect with valuable resources for training, counseling, and collaboration.
Gaining government contracts and accessing other targeted business sectors require understanding procurement processes, meeting regulatory requirements, and leveraging certifications to enhance competitiveness and market reach in and beyond Blount County. Find resources for targeted businesses:
Public Procurement and Government Contracting
East Tennessee Purchasing Association | Blount County Government | Alcoa City Government | Maryville City Government | The State of Tennessee | Tennessee Apex Accelerator | Foreign Trade Zone
Business Ownership Certifications
Small Business Certification for Government Contracts | US Chamber Guide to Buisiness Certifications for Small Business Owners
Women and Minority-Owned Businesses
Women in Entrepreneurship | Smart Women/Smart Business | STRIVE Program | Blount Chamber Women in Business | Centro Hispano | Tennessee Veterans Business Association | Black-owned Business Initiative 100 Knox | Knox Urban League Empowerment Loans | Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
Location
Find a Location
Choosing the right location for your business in Blount County is essential for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
Whether you need a quiet office, a manufacturing space, or a public-facing spot to welcome customers, finding the right business location is critical for maximizing visibility, accessing target markets, and aligning with logistical needs. These factors collectively contribute to operational success and customer engagement. Our resources offer information on co-working spaces, collaboration opportunities, and connecting with peers to ensure your business thrives.
Find a co-working space.
Find commercial real estate in Blount County.
Innovation
Innovation
Innovation is a hallmark of life in East Tennessee. Blount County and its surrounding areas are dedicated to business innovation, such as industry-specific forums, innovation hubs, and technology accelerators, providing valuable insights, trends, and networking opportunities.
Businesses here are surrounded by sophisticated research and development facilities, high-tech resources and collaborative opportunities. With nearby facilities such as East Tennessee State University’s Innovation Lab, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12 National Security Complex and research resources at the University of Tennessee, Blount County is the ideal location for innovative businesses in energy, automotive, transportation and logistics.
General Resources
General Resources
Accessing general business resources, such as business development centers and online educational platforms, provides crucial support, guidance, and tools at all stages of business growth.
For anyone considering starting a new business, Blount Partnership offers a wealth of resources to help entrepreneurs with start-up information, training, counseling, and more. Explore these general resources to build your business successfully:
Blount County Economic Development | Tennessee Small Business Development Center | Sky City Entrepreneur Center | Business Counseling | SCORE | Success in 90 | Tennessee SmartStart | US Chamber Co Start | Foreign Trade Zone | Blount Area Jobs | Knox Chamber of Commerce | Farragut Chamber of Commerce | Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce | Anderson County Chamber of Commerce