actively promote economic development and growth for the area by creating marketing techniques, providing coordination and incentives for new businesses wishing to locate their establishments or subsidiaries in the county, and assisting existing businesses with expansion and relocation techniques.  

One source of assistance is the Small Business Development Center (SCDC), located near Paulding County at Kennesaw State University. The SBDC is a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and colleges and universities from around the state. The SBDC serves new and existing businesses in a variety of ways: one-on-one counseling on a wide range of issues including: developing and updating business plans, identifying sources of capital, financial records analysis, specialized research geared to the specific needs of the business owner, accounting, marketing strategies, and governmental regulation compliance. The center also provides confidential services to companies seeking operational and strategic planning advice. Phone:  770-423-6450

SCORE Atlanta is a non-profit resource partner of the Small Business Administration. We're small business experts and have been helping people fulfill their dreams for over 44 years. Our chapter is part of an organization of over 11,500 volunteers and 389 chapters nationwide. Score has a virtual office located in the Chamber and you can participate in live video conferences with professionals who can counsel you on your business.

FREE COUNSELING
SCORE Atlanta volunteers are retired (and working) business owners and corporate executives who are giving back by providing advice on topics such as various aspects of marketing, selling, management, franchising, business planning, operations, strategic planning, human resources, and more (see complete list). Counseling is available in person, by phone, via email, and soon on the Web. ...more

AFFORDABLE TRAINING
SCORE Atlanta enlists experts to conduct seminars and workshops on a range of topics. We're constantly adding new topics so check this site often. The latest additions include franchising, marketing, and human resources. In addition to the small, intimate seminars we're known for, we also conduct at least two major conferences a year. The topics focus on marketing, sales, and technology.

Score Atlanta
www.scoreatlanta.org
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 331-0121

Small Business Development Center









The Chamber has partnered with Kennesaw State University Small Business Development Center (KSU SBDC) which is part of the Cole’s College of Business. The SBDC partners with the Chamber and is one of 18 centers in the Georgia SBDC Network. Their professional business consultants at the UWG SBDC offer free, confidential services to companies seeking management, marketing, and financial advice. The Georgia SBDC Network’s business consultants are rightfully recognized by many as “Georgia’s Experts in Entrepreneurship.”

Professional business consultants at the SBDC offer free, confidential services to companies seeking
management, marketing, and financial advice in the following areas:

• Access to sources of capital
• Budgeting
• Business assessments: financial and marketing
• Business plans
• Certifications: WBE, DBE, and SBA's 8(a)
• Financial projections
• Government procurement
• International trade
• Loan packaging and investment proposals
• Marketing plans and research
• Operational policies, procedures, and reviews
• Succession planning

Call the KSU SBDC office at 770.423.6450 to make an appointment with one of our business consultants. For pre-venture clients, several steps must first be completed before being able to meet with a consultant. 

The Sky’s the Limit (Small Business Development Kit)

Are you dreaming of starting and running your own business? Not sure where to start?  The Sky’s the Limit”   is available as an online document on the Chamber’s web site. An invaluable resource for all aspiring entrepreneurs, The Small Business Start-Up Kit includes all the information you’ll need to get your venture up and running and guide it safely through its inception.

• What is the best legal structure for your business
• How to write an effective business plan with solid financial projections
• Understanding federal, state and local start-up requirements
• Develop a bookkeeping system
• How to hire employees
• Price, bid and bill your projects
• Draft and use contracts and other agreements

The Sky’s the Limit” - Small Business Start-Up Kit is a collaborative effort through the Chamber, the Industrial Building Authority, Paulding County and the Cities of Dallas and Hiram.   The most valuable asset of our County is its businesses.  Our economic future is dependent the success in fostering the growth and retention of existing businesses while attracting new business to broaden and strengthen the tax base.

In 2007, Paulding County was designated the 39th Entrepreneur Friendly Community in the State of Georgia. Paulding County is focused upon the opportunities ahead to welcome growing companies and ensure the well-being of businesses that already call Paulding … Home!

Click here to download "The Sky’s the Limit”

Also, available for download are the Occupational Tax Registration Forms from Paulding County for In-Home Businesses and Actual Business Locations.

Residential Business Tax Form
Non-Residential Business Tax Form 

Online Business Resources

An additional resource for your business needs is www.business.gov. Responding to feedback from its business community users, Business.gov has developed a tool that helps businesses determine their license and permit requirements. Business.gov also has expanded the content and context of the information contained in its Compliance Guides and developed relationships with other government and non-governmental organizations to provide more in-depth compliance resources. Business.gov has also added Feature Topics that focus on common business concerns and that will be continually updated on a timely basis.

Below you will also find a list of other helpful business links:

First Stop Business Information Center - sos.georgia.gov/FirstStop
Download the First Stop Business Guide
Score’s List of Small Business Resources - http://www.score.org/small_biz_power_links.html
The State of Georgia’s Small Business Resource Links - http://www.georgia.org/Business/SmallBusiness
Learn about Franchise Opportunities - http://www.franchiseregistry.com/
The Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute - http://www.innovate.gatech.edu/