Business Tools

Choosing Your business name and registering your business

• Check availability of your proposed business name with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution
• Checkout “Business Entity Frequently Asked Questions”
• Take a moment to download and read the IRS Publication 583, “Starting a Business and Keeping Records”
• Create a WAMS id on the Open For Business, One Stop Business Registration Portal

Planning

Planning is crucial to the success of your business.

Draft a Comprehensive Business Plan

There are many free resources and tools

• Small Business Development Center provides free mentoring and training
• SCORE– provides free mentoring and training
• SCORE: Business Planning & Financial Statements Template Gallery– an excellent array of business planning tools
• SBA Guide to Business Plans
• SCORE Twin Cities Resource Guide – a pdf of resources to assist in your planning process

• AgPlan, a free University of Minnesota online business planning tool for agricultural and small businesses

• Demographics
  • Pierce County Demographic Data
  • City of Prescott Demographic Data
  • Village of Ellsworth Demographic Data
  • Village of Spring Valley Demographic Data
  • City of River Falls Demographic Data
• Labor Market-check the current Pierce County profile on the Wisconomy website

Review the SBDC Business Answer Hotline FAQs

Find A Location

• Verify Zoning
  • Pierce County Zoning Map and Code
  • City of River Falls Zoning Map and Code
  • City of Prescott Zoning Map and Code
  • Village of Ellsworth Zoning Map and Code
  • Village of Bay City Zoning Map and Code
  • Village of Spring Valley Zoning Map and Code
  • Village of Elmwood Zoning Map and Code
  • Village of Maiden Rock Zoning Map and Code
  • Village of Plum City Zoning Map and Code

Check Business Laws and Regulations

• Wisconsin State Law Library
• Check the Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection for required permits
• Tax Responsibilities
  • IRS Tax Information For Businesses
  • Wisconsin Department of Revenue- Businesses
• Documentation For Hiring Employees
  • Wisconsin New Hire Reporting
  • Employment Law
  • Frequently Requested Forms
  • Form I-9: Verifying Employment Eligibility – Can I Go Too Far?

Finance Your Business

• Check out our list of local capital resources Business Capitalization

Insurance

• Unemployment
• Property Insurance
• Workers Compensation
• General Liability
• Product Liability
• Flood Insurance?