Start A Business Here

Innovation begins with an idea and implementation means you are ready to start. No matter what stage you are at, Spencer County Economic Development is ready to assist you in making your dream of starting a business reality. Studies have shown that community support is critical to business success. We are home to many small businesses that began just like yours. Get started today!

Learn more at Southwest Indiana Small Business Center Development Center >

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Start with brainstorming ideas around the types of products and services you will be offering. Then complete a business name search through https://bsd.sos.in.gov/publicbusinesssearch to verify if the name is available.

  • There are many different ways to fund your business.
    • Personal Funds
    • Grants
    • Small Business Loans
    • Credit Cards
    • Friends and Family
    • Angel Investors

  • LLC
    Limited liability companies (LLC) are defined as a type of business structure where owners of the LLC are called “members” and are partners in a business entity with all the protection of a corporation plus the ability to pass through any business profits and losses to their personal income tax return.

    C Corportation
    A C corporation (or C-corp) is a legal structure for a corporation in which the owners, or shareholders, are taxed separately from the entity.

    Sole Proprietor
    A sole proprietor is someone who owns an unincorporated business by himself or herself

  • On a local level you need to register your business with and successfully secure your business name with your county’s recorder’s office. Then you will apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) through the Internal Revenue Service.

  • Contact Heidi Young, Executive Director to help walk you through the zoning and permitting process for your business.

  • • Shortage of capital
    • Having a good business plan
    • Consistency of great products or services
    • Shortage of workforce
    • Frustrations of rejections
    • Wearing too many hats
    • Maintaining work/life balance

Chris Middleton | Spencer County Business Owner.

Advice from One of Our Small Business Owners

“Back in 1989 as a single woman returning to Spencer County to start a grass roots insurance business which was thought to be a “man’s field” was considered a risky venture . . . 33 years later it was the best decision I ever made!”

Chris Middleton

HELPFUL RESOURCES