Interested in Starting a Business in Montgomery County?
Starting your own business is an exciting and busy adventure. We offer the following resources as a starting point to help you navigate your way through the process. While the majority of these references are federal, state and local government offices which have expertise in the rules, regulations and licenses required, some of the references are business organizations that are focused on helping beginning business owners.
Also please know that The Greater Bethesda-Chamber of Commerce and its members can be your greatest resource of products, services and opportunity to make your new business grow. We invite you to participate in one of our numerous committee meetings, Thursday networking events, attend a Quick Connect, and browse our website, bccchamber.org. Please get to know our chamber and remember, Your Business is Our Only Business!
Counseling & Training
SCORE® - SCORE® is a nationwide non-profit volunteer association of over 11,500 retired and active small business owners, executives and professionals. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, it provides free counseling to small businesses. The Washington, D.C. Chapter has over 40 members experienced in owning and operating both small and large businesses in almost every field. For information on the SCORE® program, workshops, and other information, visit www.scoredc.org or call (202) 272-0390.
Small Business Administration (SBA) - The SBA provides information on starting a business, business plans, financing, and more, and provides links to information on licensing, taxes and workers compensation regulations by state. Visit www.sba.gov or call (800) 827-5722.
Maryland Small Business Development Center - Capital Region - http://www.capitalregionsbdc.umd.edu/
Montgomery County Department of Economic Development -http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dedtmpl.asp?url=/Content/DED/index.asp
Montgomery County Department of Economic Development – Small Business Services
The department offers counseling, legal assistance, and training to small and minority businesses. For more information on how to start or move a business in Montgomery County, Maryland visit http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/ded/sbs/toolbox.asp
Montgomery County Business Development Corporation - http://montgomerybusiness.org/
The Montgomery Business Development Corporation was established by the Montgomery County Council in July 2010 as an apolitical organization to provide a business-friendly perspective regarding economic development issues, including strategic planning, retaining and attracting business, and legislative and regulatory advocacy. Call 240-399-3903 or email [email protected].
Montgomery County Business Information Center - Montgomery County’s Business Information Center is dedicated to serving businesses in the County with education, counseling and assistance with applications for procurement, financing, and more. The center also provides access to books, magazines and online resources for businesses, as well as a full calendar of business seminars. The Montgomery County Business Resource Center is located in the Rockville Regional Library at 99 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Md. or at (240) 777-0001.
Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development (MD DBED) - This department provides several funding programs to help businesses with loans and grants. Visit www.choosemaryland.com or call 410-767-6300. Many other programs are available for small businesses, minority and disadvantaged businesses, agriculture, transportation and more.
Registrations & Permits
Montgomery County - For information on business licenses in Montgomery County, visit the county's http://permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov/DPS/general/Home.aspx or call (240) 777-9460.
State of Maryland - For general information on starting or running a business in Maryland, a listing of Maryland companies, industry profiles, regulatory information, etc., visit www.mdbusiness.state.md.us or call the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development at (410) 767-6300 or 1 888-ChooseMD.
Secure Your Funding
SBA – Loans and Grants - http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants
State Department of Business and Economic Development - http://www.choosemaryland.org/startbusiness/Pages/AccessToCapital.aspx
Determine How to do Business with the Government
Montgomery County Local Small Business Reserve - http://montgomerycountymd.gov/content/DGS/Dir/OBRC/LSBRP/index.html
SBA - http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/contracting/working-with-government
Federal Business Opportunities - https://www.fbo.gov/
For More Information on Owning a Business in Maryland
Visit the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation http://www.dat.state.md.us/ or call the numbers listed below:
To form a legal entity, such as a corporation, LLC, LLP, LP or business trust, call (410) 767-1340.
To obtain a trade name application for “doing business as” (DBA), call (410) 767-1340.
To reserve a business name for future use, call (410) 767-1340.
For personal property assessments for sole proprietors and general partnerships, call (410) 767-4991 or for legal entities, call (410) 767-1170.