If you’re thinking of starting a business, you’ve come to the right place with Arlington. With its superior workforce, location, and excellent accessibility, Arlington has what it takes to make your business into into a success story.

Turning Your Ideas into Plans

• Selecting your industry and learning about Arlington: As you decide on the specifics of your business, including where you want to be located, keep up with the latest from the Planning, Research and Analysis Team. They gather data and examine the latest trends in development, demographics, and more. You can also look at Arlington’s zoning map to see where the commercial, home-based and retail business districts are.
• Getting advice from the pros: Learn how to make the process of starting or renovating a new business smoother and easier with these top tips for small business permitting.
• Writing your business plan: The business plan (BP) is a living, breathing document, consisting of the how, when, where and what you need to do to successfully, start and operate your business. For help writing your BP, watch for our Business Plan Workshops on the calendar of upcoming BizLaunch Events. The Arlington County Public Library offers free business databases (accessed via your library card) which can assist you in identifying the latest market trends, competition, opportunities and more. Finally, SCORE counselors are available at the BizLaunch offices to help critique the elements of your business plan.
• Financing: As part of your business plan, you’ll be addressing how you’ll be financing your business. Browse this list of current financial institutions with contact names of organizations participating in the Small Business Association’s financial programs. You’ll also find the current ranking of lenders working with small businesses locally.

Logistics in Arlington County

• Permitting, licensing, and more: Learn more about the local, state, and federal requirements for operating a business.
• Insurance, accountants, and lawyers: Use this Small Business Checklist and Legal Requirements for information and tips.

Networking and Hiring

As you grow your business and begin to hire on employees, maximize Arlington’s ample contracting and networking resources.

• Doing business with the state, local, and federal government: Arlington County Government is a Central Purchasing Agency. Register your business to receive e-mails regarding upcoming business opportunities for your business. Use the Small Business Checklist and Legal Requirements for details on state and federal contracts.
• Workforce development: One of Arlington’s best kept secrets for business owners is the Arlington Employment Center, dedicated to helping you find the right employees without paying a fee.
• Networking: There are many opportunities to promote your small business to potential clients, the business community and more via networking opportunities. Here are some potential business organizations to join or participate in to promote your business:Arlington Economic Development
  The Arlington Chamber of Commerce
  The Ballston Partnership
  Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization
  Clarendon Alliance
  Rosslyn Renaissance and Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID)
  The Crystal City BID

More info:

• Doing Business in Arlington: Licenses and Permits
• This Small Business Checklist and Legal Requirements and the Checklist for Locating Your Business in Arlington offer an overview of all the resources detailed above.
• Videos: Business Tips