Start a Business
Starting a business is not a single decision but a series of them, each one bringing you a step closer to the day your store or factory or office is up and running, competing for customers and making money.
How will you organize and register your business? What are the regulatory considerations? How will you protect your intellectual property? Is your business plan adequate? Where can you find financing? What are your obligations as an employer? Do you understand your tax responsibilities?
Here we try to provide answers to those questions and more - or point you toward the state offices and agencies that are best suited to help.
Department of Employment and Economic Development publishes A Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota that is available free of charge. Copies may be ordered online or by calling the publications order line at (651) 556-8425 or toll-free in Greater Minnesota at (800) 310-8323.
Small Business Assistance
DEED offers a wide range of technical assistance tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses in the areas of startup, expansion or relocation.
Other Business Resources
Locating a Building, Site, or Community
One of the most important decisions you'll make is where to locate your new business. To help you choose a building, site or community, the state maintains MNPRO, a comprehensive database of properties available statewide. www.mnpro.com
Business Financing
Whether through loans, grants or tax incentives, access to sufficient capital is essential when starting and growing your business. Following are some state finance programs that may be useful.
Loans
Training Grants
- Minnesota Job Skills Partnership
- Minnesota Hire Education Loan Program (HELP)
- Minnesota Pathways Program
Tax Incentives
Employer Issues
Get answers to many employment-related questions by using this handy guide that matches state and federal regulations with the responsible agencies
Finding Workers
Find out if you need a UI Employer Account and, if so, how to get registered.
http://www.uimn.org/tax/start.htm
Training Employees
About to Do a Layoff?
Business Tax Issues
Attend free or low cost business tax education workshops held throughout the state.
How and where to obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
How to Export
With 90 percent of the world's consumers and two-thirds of its population lying outside of U.S. borders, the key to greater profits and increased stability for many companies is exporting. The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) offers a variety of programs and services tailored to help Minnesota companies effectively enter and compete in the global marketplace, as well as to attract foreign direct investment.