Starting a Business

A Place for Success

Starting and growing a business requires careful planning, business skills, financial resources, motivation and a lot of hard work.

The key to getting started is your Business Plan. A Business Plan is a road map for your business- it details where you want to take your business and the route of how to get there. Developing a business plan will help you to determine if starting a business is a journey you wish to embark upon.

A business plan generally includes:

  1. a business description
  2. a marketing plan
  3. a financial management plan
  4. a management plan
Click here to complete the New Business Packet!

What resources are available to me?

Numerous organizations provide free or low cost services to individuals planning to start a business. Several of these community and economic development agencies provide business plan assistance, conduct training seminars, and provide general entrepreneurial counseling. Some of these agencies also provide lower than conventional rate financing for qualifying businesses.

It may also be necessary to enlist the services of paid professionals, such as an attorney and an accountant. Cultivating relationships with commercial lenders may also be necessary to meet start-up and long-term business funding needs. Engaging a qualified professional team can provide the legal and financial advice and resources necessary to build a firm foundation for starting a business.

Tax, Permitting and Licensing Issues

Depending on the nature of your business, various licensing, permit, and tax issues may apply. It will be important to identify the City, State and Federal requirements that will apply to your business. For more information, contact the applicable agency or individual listed below.

Resources For Starting A Business In York

Community First Fund
Lending, financing, business plan & general business counseling.
7 East Market Street
York, PA 17401
(717) 848-3863
View Website

York County Economic Alliance/BLOOM Business Empowerment Center
Financing, general counseling, small business loans, grants, ongoing training for businesses.
144 Roosevelt Avenue
York, PA 17401
(717) 848-4000
View Website

Downtown Inc
Economic development, promotions, placemaking, and public safety.
2 West Market Street
York, PA 17401
(717) 849-2331
View Website

York SCORE
Business plan counseling, start up and general counseling.
2101 Pennsylvania Avenue
York, PA 17404
(717) 845-8830

AHEAD-(Association for Helping Entrepreneurs Achieve Dreams)
General business counseling.
37 W. Market Street, 2nd Floor Rear, Suite 10
York, Pennsylvania 17401
(717) 812-0180

YorKitchen at Central Market
Shared Incubator Kitchen for food entrepreneurs
37 West Clarke Ave.
York, PA 17401
(717) 814-8879
View Website

Shippensburg University –
Small Business Development Center

Free business startup planning
and management techniques.

1871 Old Main Drive – 405 Grove Hall
Shippensburg, PA 17257
(717) 477-1935
View Website

U.S. Small Business Administration
Business plan counseling, financing,
and general counseling.

Philadelphia District Office
1150 First Avenue
Suite 1001, Parkview Tower
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 382-3080
View Website

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania –
Small Business Development Center

Free procurement training, how to sell to state,
federal and local governments.

600 N. Hartley St.
Suite 100
York, PA 17404
(717) 825-1132
View Website

MANTEC
Support for manufacturers,
Six Sigma and LEAN Efficiency Training.
600 N. Hartley St. – Suite 100
York, PA 17404
(717) 825-1132
View Website

General Information

Department of Economic and Community Development
101 South George St. 2nd Floor
York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 849-2264

Kiva York Micro Loan Program
Zero Interest Loans up to $10,000
Phone: (717) 849-2248
Email: York@local.kiva.org
View Website

Bureau of Permits and Zoning
101 South George St.
York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 849-2256
Fax: (717) 849 -2329

Food Services Licenses
Permits and Health Licensing Bureau
101 South George St. 2nd Floor
York, PA 17401
Phone: (717) 845-2124

York Adams Tax Bureau
1405 N. Duke Street
York, PA 17404
Phone: (717) 845-1584
Fax: (717)854-6376
View Website

Building Permits/ Zoning
Phone: (717) 849-2256

 

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