Business Startup
There are numerous steps that must be taken in order to open a new business. Each of these steps involves advanced planning and attention to detail.
Some highlights from the booklet:
Making A Business Plan:
The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helps with all aspects of business planning and development. They provide small-business management training, conferences, and workshops. In addition, the SBDC can help you, for free, develop a business plan. Having this plan before you open your business is the key in determining, for example, what type of space you will need and how much rent you can pay. They can also assist in attracting investors or potential lenders. A well thought out business is crucial to the survival of any business.
University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The University of Georgia
604 Washington Street N. W., Suite B-2
Gainesville, GA 30501-8544
(770-531-5681)
www.sbdc.uga.edu
The First Stop Business Information Center was established through the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State to help small business owners and prospective owners determine which licenses and permits they must acquire and maintain in operating their businesses. The center is a one-stop location for obtaining information and contacts for state regulatory requirements for small businesses.
Most organizations transacting business within the state of Georgia must file with the Secretary of State. In addition to general registration, some businesses or individual s employed by a business require licenses to perform specialized or regulated activities,and the Secretary of State provides administrative assistance to over thirty-five licensing and regulatory boards which have been established by the Georgia General Assembly. Ask for their booklet entitled Consolidated Registration Information for Businesses.
Securing accounting, banking, insurance, and legal services: Build a winning team for your business by getting an accountant, banker, insurance agent, and lawyer on boardat the start to help you with planning, decision making, and positioning your business for success. These professionals can help you avoid pitfalls.
Assistance in locating business sites: The Development Authority of Dawson County is available to assist with site location for large businesses and developments. Industrial Revenue Bonds may also be available for large projects. Please call Charlie Auvermann at 706-265-8761. www.developdawson.org
Important Phone Numbers:
Emergency 911
Dawson County
Board of Commissioners 706-344-3501
Building Permits/Inspectors 706-344-3604
Business Licenses 706-344-3604
Development Authority 706-265-8761
Fire Department 706-344-3711
Sheriff s Office 706-344-3535
E-911 Addressing Office 706-344-3665
Health Department 706-265-2930
Tax Commissioner 706-344-3520
Tax Assessor 706-344-3590
Clerk of Court 706-344-3510
Dawsonville
City Hall 706-265-3256
State of Georgia:
Information 404-656-2000
Agriculture 404-656-3645, 800-282-5852
Alcohol Unit 404-417-4333
Consumer Affairs 404-656-3790
First Stop Business Information Center 404-656-7061, 800-656-4558
Human Resources 404-656-4588
Industry, Trade, and Tourism 404-656-3545
Insurance 404-562-2201
Labor 404-493-6644
OSHA 770-493-6644
Revenue 404-417-4490
Secretary of State:
Corporations 404-656-2817
Securities 404-656-3920
United States:
Internal Revenue Service 800-829-1040
(forms) 800-829-3676
Post Office Dawsonville 706-265-2677
Small Business Administration Answer
Desk 800-827-5722
Small Business Assistance. 877-427-6255
UGA Small Business Development Center
(SBDC) Business Outreach 770-531-5681
Getting Permits and Licenses:
Zoning Amendments: If you need a zoning ordinance amendment, a map amendment(rezoning), a variance request, or a special exception to current city or county zoning regulations, you must fill out an Application for Zoning Amendment, which is available at City Hall or County Planning and Zoning Offices, whichever is appropriate. If you do not own the property for which you seek an Amendment, you will need to have the owner fill outan Authorization Form. Applications must be filed with the City or County Planning and Zoning Office approximately 1 week beforethe scheduled zoning hearing. (County Zoninghearings are held on the third Thursday of each month, City Zoning hearings are held onthe third Monday of each month.)
City Hall 706-265-3256
County Planning and Zoning Office 706-344-3604.
Dawson County Health Department Food permit: If you plan to sell food prepared on your premises, either for consumption on the premises or take-out consumption,the Dawson County Health Department is the first stop to make, because the City nor County of Dawson will issue a Building Permit or Business License until you have a Food Service Permit. This permit is required by the State of Georgia and issued by the Dawson County Health Department. There is a permitfee, and each year there after a yearly fee isdue. There must be two inspections per year. In addition, construction or remodeling plans must be approved by the Dawson County Health Department prior to beginning work.
Dawson County Health Department 706-265-2930.
Georgia Department of Agriculture Food Sales Establishment License: If you plan to sell prepackaged food for consumption elsewhere or for use in food preparation, you must pass an inspection by the Georgia Departmentof Agriculture and then apply for a State Food Sales Establishment License.
Georgia Department of Agriculture 404-656-3645 800-282-5852.
Dawsonville Historic Preservation Commission Certificate of Appropriatenes: A map of the downtown historic district is located at City Hall. A large portion of the downtown area is included in the historic district. Before making any changes to the façade of an existing building located in Dawsonville s historic district, obtain a copy of Guidelines for Rehabilitation and New Construction in Dawsonville's Historic Districts from the city building inspector or the Dawson County Library. Complete the attached application for a Certificate of Appropriateness, which is filed at City Hall for approval by the Dawsonville Historic Preservation Commission. Be sure to attend the commission meeting at which your project will be reviewed. The commission meets the second Tuesday of every month at 4:30 pm in City Hall.
City Hall 706-265-3256
Sign Guidelines: Business signs must conform to city and/or county regulations and must also be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission, if within the Historic District. City Building Permit To obtain informationon building permits please call 706-265-3256.
County Building Permit: To obtain a building permit you must have:
- An approved recorded plat.
- A paid tax receipt for the property.
- A septic tank permit 8 1/2 x 11 copy of plans
- Site plan for under one acre
Application can be applied for at the Planning & Development Office Monday Friday 8:00 a.m.4:00 p.m.
Fire and Life-Safety Inspection: The Dawson County Fire Department makes fire and life-safety inspections of existing buildings, as well as new construction. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure that safety to occupants and fire protection features are maintained at all times.
Dawson County Director of Fire Services, Billy Thurmond 706-344-3675.
Business License in the city of Dawsonville: In order to operate a business in the City of Dawsonville, you will need to complete a Business License Application and Occupational Tax Survey
Form available at City Hall (706) 265-3256.
Business License County at large: To obtain a commercial business license you must bring a copy of your c/o on the building and any other documents that are required to the planning office. For a home office license just bring your EIN or SS number to the planning office.
Beer and Wine in the City of Dawsonville: In order for a business to serve beer and wine in the City of Dawsonville, you will need to complete a Beer and Wine Application available at City Hall (706) 265-3256. This must be completed in its entirety and returned with two fingerprint cards to City Hall with a check/money order made out to the GCIC. A completed Criminal Investigation Request Form, the finger print cards and the payment will be submitted to the Dawson County Sheriff's Department. The city will then post a Legal Notice of Application for a Beer and Wine License for on premise consumption. This must be published once a week for three consecutive weeks. Once all investigative reports have been completed the application will be brought before the Mayor and City Council at a Public Meeting for approval. The license must be renewed annually and is good for the calendar year.
Alcohol Licensing County at large: To obtain information on alcohol licensing please call 706-344-3501.
Emergency 911 Registration:
Your correct business address and phone number must be registered with the E-911 Addressing Office. This will ensure prompt police and fire protection in case of an emergency.
E-911 Addressing Office 706-344-3665.
Water and Sewer Services:
Contact City Hall to acquire water and sewer services for the city of Dawsonville. 706-344-3256.
Contact Etowah Sewer & Water to acquire sewer and water services. 706-216-6168.
Electric Service:
In Dawson County and the city of Dawsonville, there are three electric companies:
Amicalola Electric Membership Corp. 800-992-6471
Georgia Power Company 706-864-3614
Sawnee Electric MembershipCorp. 770-887-2363.
Phone Service:
Windstream provides telephone service in Dawson County and the city of Dawsonville. To obtain service, you will be asked to complete an Application for Service, which will include the correct 911 address for the business location. You will be asked to provide appropriate identification and a history of other phone service accounts in your name. A deposit may be required, depending on the results of a credit check. Available phone services include cable , digital cable, high speed dsl and internet services. 706-216-2222.
Gas:
Natural gas is provided by Atlanta Gas Light, 800-427-5463, for Dawson County and the city of Dawsonville. There are two propane gas companies in the county:
Mark Heard Fuel Company,706-265-2994
Mills Fuel Service, 706-265-3394.
