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BUSINESS EXPANSION GUIDE CITY OF HURON A PUBLICATION OF ERIE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Start here
2 3 5 reasons to do business in Erie County Affordability for you and your team 13 less expensive cost of doing businesses 6 75 effective sales tax rate 26 CAT only state business tax 132 400 median home value 51 033 median Income Central location for customer access 50 U S population within a day s drive 11 million visitors per year Central location for a large labor pool 3 156 677 population in 45 mile radius 95 1 employment rate 54 of workforce has a bachelor s degree or higher High quality of life 6 amusement and water parks 90 miles of lake waterfront 6 299 acres of state parks forests nature preserves and wildlife areas 90 marinas Evidence of success 60 gross regional product growth over last 30 years Projected job growth for 2020 2026 is 7 Over 600 million in business capital investment in the last 5 years Let us be among the first to welcome you and your business to the City of Huron As you continue to move through the process of getting your business up and running please know that we are here to assist you in the challenges that come with opening a business Entrepreneurship and small business development are essential to the success of our economy in the City of Huron Starting and running a business can be challenging and requires a variety of skills Our partners at ECEDC can assist in connecting you with experts and advice that help you navigate these Start here initial challenges Our goal for a vibrant inclusive and thriving economy is only possible with individuals like you We thank you for your commitment to the City of Huron and look forward to watching your business succeed Table of Contents 6What to Know about Existing Buildings 8 What to Know about Building New 10Special Considerations for Forming a New Business 12Business Assistance Programs and Support Organizations
4 5 These icons alert you to tasks with extended time requirements 3 4 MONTHS Are you finding bro6ke0n li n9ks0 That medanas ythsere s information newer than this document out there See page 12 for the homepage link to all the agency and organization websites cited in this document Who we are This Business Expansion and Startup Guide is brought to you by the Regional Incubator for Sustainability Entrepreneurship RISE the Erie County Economic Development Corporation ECEDC and our community partners RISE aids entrepreneurs and small business owners across industries It can provide one on one advising with business experts to develop a plan for achieving business goals ECEDC focuses on economic development as a whole and encompasses RISE ECEDC can assist in accessing potential resources research and critical connections that facilitate the economic development necessary for a thriving economy This guide is a by product of the challenges questions and hurdles new and existing businesses face as they look to accomplish their goals How this guide works This guide is designed to provide a checklist for new and existing business who are looking at building or relocating to the City of Huron By answering a few initial questions and then based on answers working through each bullet point business owners can feel confident that they have met all the requirements to operate in good standing Start here Choose where to start Are you a new business start up or entrepreneur that s trying to get your business incorporated and quickly up and running Flip to page 10 to start and learn how RISE can 30help get you going in the right direction days Existing business We can help you there too Head to the next page to make sure you have crossed off everything on list and then head to page 12 to see how ECEDC can help you grow and expand your business
6 Have you selected a location that suits your business objectives Yes continue reading here to ensure you ve met the regulatory requirements to operate there No economic development offices can assist you in your search Visit Page 13 for contact information and services Ready to grow or establish a facility in the City of Huron One of the first steps a new or existing business owner should take once they ve decided they want to open a business in the City of Huron is to schedule a meeting with the local economic development office and City planning and building departments This initial introduction can assist the process of becoming operational by foreseeing any challenges or hurdles businesses may face due to the nature of their business Will you be moving into an existing facility or constructing new expanding a location If existing you ll want to work through the following checklist ZONING Before signing your lease check C heck the Zoning Map to ensure your business type and use is appropriate based on the zoning of your location O wner should have an occupancy permit Change of use will result in the need for a new occupancy permit N otify the Fire Department of your new business and operation B efore design and purchase review signage regulation LOCAL LICENSING PERMITTING I s your business a food truck 1 2 or food stand You ll need to WEEKS apply for a temporary store permit O pening a restaurant Check out the Food and Beverage Guide for the process to meet local requirements A re you opening an Airbnb or short term rental You ll want to check with the city Airbnb or short term rentals are limited by the City of Huron B e familiar with the types of building renovations that require permitting Cosmetic improvements like painting or flooring typically do not require a building permit However structural renovations ex changing a window size electrical upgrades do require a building permit Follow directions in section B 7 R E A DY TO G ROW O R ESTA B L I S H A FAC I L I T Y I N T H E C I T Y O F H U RO N play cir STATE LICENSING Check state requirements at the official website of the State of Ohio Licenses Permits Ohio gov Official Website of the State of Ohio Liquor permits are handled at the state level Specific attorneys are often hired to assist in the application process N ew Liquor Permit Process C heck How to Apply for more information F orms Required UTILITIES Transfer utilities W ater Erie County Department of Environmental Services 419 627 7666 C olumbia Gas 419 625 8875 O hio Edison 419 271 1313 T elecommunication Providers Buckeye Broadband or other telecommunications providers U nderstand parking availability and regulations near your business to notify your customers
8 In Huron the Planning Commission and Design Review Board meet on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 5 00 p m in the Municipal Building Council Chambers Site plan applications are due the month before the meeting they will be presented e g 4th Wednesday of May deadline for June meeting agenda item We can help you work out any anticipated Planning Commission questions staff comments code requirements other details so board If constructing a new building for your business or doing a large renovation of existing building ZONING C heck the Zoning map to ensure your zoning is appropriate for your business functions C hange the size of your lot Connect with the cities planning and 3 4 zoning department and fill out MONTHS application before submitting to the county The application can be found here I f you are interested in a site but it is not zoned appropriately you can apply for a re zoning through this application U nderstand traffic patterns Ensure you are familiar with the rules around traffic patterns and access ways as you design your new build Check it out here C heck availability of needed utilities Columbia Gas 419 625 8875 Ohio Edison 419 271 1313 Erie County Department of Environmental Services 419 627 7666 SITE PLAN APPROVAL C ontact a design professional to begin designing the site W ork through the various steps associated with building a new structure and 60 TO90 submit an application Business DAYS Commercial Industrial Improve ments Additions and New Construction This document includes information on setbacks ingress egress parking stormwater grading lighting and utilities location The Fee Schedule can be found here too 9 READY TO GROW OR ESTABLISH A FACILITY IN THE CITY OF HURON BUILDING DEPARTMENT Request these various permits and plan approvals Z oning Site Plan Permit E lectrical Permit Application B uilding Plan Approval Mechanical Plan Approval Contact John Zimmerman at 419 433 2755 P lumbing Permit Erie County General Health District 419 626 5623 x 209 D etermine what type of signage your business will need to make the desired impact Once determined fill out the commercial sign permit application If you are thinking of having an electric sign you ll need to review the various permits required such an the unique zoning electrical permit and height specifications This information can be found here UTILITIES OPERATIONS W ater Connection Permit 1 2 WEEKS S ewer Connection Permit S tormwater Management Permit OHM Advisors Jason Popiel jason popiel ohm advisors com Erie Conservation District for SWPPP Review Valerie Sasak vsasak eriecounty oh gov F lood Plain Permit Erik Engle erik engle huronohio us Set up the remaining utilities for the business including Water Erie County Department of Environmental Services 419 627 7666 Colombia Gas Ohio Edison First Energy Telecom provider Buckeye Broadband OmniFiber Frontier Congratulations on your new business location Final reminders don t forget to update your insurance mailing address and all online listings which are very important to your search engine optimization Celebrate and announce your growth with your customers Partners at the City of Huron and Erie County Economic Development Corporation would be glad to welcome you and share the news
10 11 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR STARTING A NEW BUSINESS Special considerations for starting a new business Are you a new business start up or entrepreneur that s trying to get your business incorporated and quickly up and running Take advantage of the local Regional Incubator for Sustainability Entrepreneurship RISE RISE works with entrepreneurs in every phase of the business development process Whether you are starting with just an idea in need of a plan fresh start ups in need of a boost or a business looking to develop and execute a new growth strategy We can give you access to expert advice and resources to help you start develop or accelerate your business Our advisors are seasoned professionals in business and know what questions to ask to help you explore the many aspects of starting and running a business including the list below Work your way through this RISE recommended checklist for a solid legal and strategic foundation for a new business Checklist C reate a business plan A business plan V isit the IRS website Internal Revenue should be feasible and cover a descrip Service website to establish your tion of your products and services potential competitors marketing and Employer Identification Number EIN You will need an EIN to create a sepa sales ideas and key partners staff or resources W ork on financial planning and projec rate checking account for your business C ontact your bank to establish a checking account for your business Separating tions that detail a worst medium and best case scenario for the profitability of personal and business finances is key for tax purposes Some banks in the area your business You should have 1 3 years worth of projections showing revenue include VacationLand Federal Credit Union Civista Bank First National and expenses quarterly or monthly F orm your LLC Register with the state Most small businesses will fall into this Bank of Bellevue Firelands Federal Credit Union PNC and US Bank O btain a Vendor s License which category when launching LLC Limited Liability Company Other business authorizes you to collect sales tax You can either apply online at the Ohio entities can be researched here R esearch and obtain necessary licenses in accordance with the state here Business Gateway website or in person at your local county auditor s office Erie County Auditor s Office I nvestigate Business insurance Contact and get a quote from multiple providers to find the best fit for your business Some agencies in the area Bodey Insurance Agency Lindsley Insurance Agency Steinemann Hafner Insurance Willis Insurance Agency Get online Make sure people can find your business by growing an online presence You want to be visible when people google you Ways to gain an online presence include claiming a My Business Google Listing connecting to others on social media platforms like Facebook Instagram Twitter and creating a website Squarespace GoDaddy or Wix are popular places to purchase a URL and set up a website S ome other helpful tools for your business include bookkeeping programs like QuickBooks customer relationship management software like Salesforce or email marketing platforms like Constant Contact or Mailchimp Get more assistance Our RISE team can provide templates and one on one assistance working your way through this checklist RISE events and workshops are another great way to sharpen your skills and build a local small business network Check out current events on Facebook or contact rise eriecountyedc org today
12 13 BU S I N ESS ASS I STA N C E P RO G RA M S SU P P O RT O RG A N I Z AT I O N S play cir Business assistance programs support organizations Economic Development Programs Companies making a significant investment in the City of Huron may be eligible for assistance through the following program E nterprise Zone Tax Abatement Guidelines and Application Certain new construction or renovation projects may be eligible for multi year real estate tax abatement on the increased real estate tax liability of their project This abatement provides real estate tax relief for a period of years and provide operations savings during the term of the abatement All projects awarded real estate tax abatement under this program are required to meet or exceed a negotiated level of capital investment new job creation and new payroll Government Support Local development has been carefully guided by Huron s administration A zoning program has been implemented and groups such as the Chamber of Commerce have supported the reservation of industrial tracts In addition the creation of the Huron Joint Port Authority has helped to ensure that the local harbor facilities can be developed to their maximum potential The Port Authority continues working to create additional uses of the harbor in an effort to stimulate waterborne commerce in the community They have recently completed a Port Master Plan that will serve as both a guideline and a marketing tool for future port development Business Support Organizations Organization Description Contact A private non profit organization serving our community through comprehensive economic development programs We re here to help individuals and businesses start stay and grow in Erie County Businesses that are experiencing challenges or opportunities can utilize ECEDC to gain access to several types of resources Email director eriecountyedc org Facebook OhioECEDC Twitter OhioECEDC Twitter LinkedIn OhioECEDC Website eriecountyedc org RISE provides one on one advising networking and technical assistance for small businesses Businesses can utilize RISE for early operational support and to provide critical connections to answer those early questions in the business development process Email rise eriecountyedc org Instagram rise_entrepreneurs Facebook RISEingEntrepreneurs The official destination marketing organization for Erie and Ottawa Counties in Ohio together known as Shores Islands Ohio Businesses can utilize Shores and Islands for assistance in marketing and networking Email Info shoresandislands com Facebook shoresandislands Twitter ShoresIslandsOH Twitter LinkedIn shoresandislands Our goal is to represent the entire business community as effectively as possible so that not only businesses thrive but the region as a whole thrives and we may continue to experience improvements in our overall quality of life Businesses can utilize ECCOC for business tobusiness networking and advocacy Email info eriecountychamber com Facebook eriecountychamberofcommerce LinkedIn erie county chamber of commerce
14 Organization City of Huron MBET Description Contact U S Small Business Administration SBA continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream SBA is the only cabinetlevel federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling capital and contracting expertise as the nation s only go to resource and voice for small businesses Email Mhoffma05 terra edu Email answerdesk sba gov Facebook SBAgov Twitter SBAgov LinkedIn us small business administration By fostering an innovative and collaborative atmosphere to deliver the highest quality product for the community at large the City of Huron prides itself on serving residents businesses and visitors alike with the most efficient customer service possible through active participation in development initiatives Facebook City of Huron Government Planning Director Erik Engle 419 433 5000 x1301 Zoning Inspector Code Enforcement Katie Maloney 419 433 5000 x1303 Administrative Assistant Christine Gibboney 419 433 5000 x1303 Women and minority owned businesses can utilize MBET for peer networking learning and marketing Facebook MBETSandusky 15 BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS More About the Erie County Economic Development Corporation ECEDC ECEDC is a private nonprofit that assists companies to Start Stay Grow in Erie County As you work your way through this guide our team can assist you with the following SITE SELECTION ECEDC keeps a database of available sites for businesses to utilize This includes both vacant land and buildings businesses can move into Steps to determine what is best for you include Specific Zoning Needs i e Commercial Industrial Office Warehouse ect Pricing S ite Tour I nfrastructure Utilities Parking Traffic Patterns R enovation Costs CONTRACTOR SELECTION Through our work within the community we have put together a detailed list of various contractors specializing in the different aspects of building new or renovating existing space Contractors areas of specialty include A rchitecture Advisors F inance and Title G eneral Design Build C oncrete Materials H VAC Plumbing F inishing Touches CRITICAL CONNECTIONS Joining a network of experienced business leaders and members of our community can be the difference in success or failure Tap into a network that offers insight and advice that will help your business succeed We can connect you with a number of critical connections including Accounting Legal N etworking Organizations Events BRE ACTIVITIES Our Business Retention and Expansion program connects new and expanding businesses to common needs such as Financing O hio Tax Credits Exemptions Abatements and Grants Infrastructure B rownfield Redevelopment E conomic Research R egulatory Issues I ndustry and Function Specific Needs W orkforce Hiring and Retaining
16 247 Columbus Avenue Suite 126 Sandusky Ohio 44870 In coordination with Thank you to the Erie County Community Foundation for their support in creating this resource guide