Start a Business

Your Business in Fauquier

Balancing risk and reward is part of the entrepreneurial journey, but Fauquier County’s high-caliber workforce, quality of life, and affordability minimize the variables and maximize the returns. 

The Fauquier County Department of Economic Development provides you with the front-line support to steward every stage of your success. Contact us at (540) 422-8270 for personalized business assistance.

Get Started And Get Ahead

1) Market Analysis

Understanding your position in the marketplace is your first step to establishing a business. Learning market dynamics, from customers to competitors, prototyping to price points, plots the journey ahead. Learn more.

 

2) Business Plan

Articulating your strategy is key to starting a business and obtaining financing. Establish short and long-term goals and project your growth over a three-to-five-year period. Learn more.

 

3) Education and Training

Knowledge is market power. Offering online entrepreneurial courses and personalized business coaching, local business resources are value driven. Learn more.

 

4) Site Selection

From available, affordable sites in business and industrial parks to Class A office space, Fauquier County has real estate suited to your phase of growth. Explore available properties here.

 

5) Zoning and Land Use

Fauquier County has eight Service Districts, which help the County balance agricultural and recreational uses, environmental and historic preservation. Learn more.

 

6) Financing

Identifying financing is a pivotal step in your journey. Explore the federal, state, and local resources available to your business.

 

7) Establishing a Legal Structure

Choosing the right structure benefits your business from the start. Consult with an attorney or a tax professional to establish the structure suited to your business. Learn more.

 

8) Registering a Business

Register a business name that reflects your brand and offerings. Provide your trade name, or “Doing Business As” (DBA) name. Then, select a Registered Agent, which allows you to transact business from a legal perspective. Finally, obtain a tax identification number from the IRS. Learn more.

 

9) Registering for State and Local Taxes

Registering for a state tax identification number is required to start a business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Learn more about registering in Virginia and Fauquier County tax forms.

 

10) Obtaining Business Insurance

Business insurance protects your property, assets, and workforce. Liability, workers compensation insurance, and unemployment insurance are some of the protections to consider. Learn more.

 

11) Obtaining Business Licenses and Permits

Fauquier County’s licensing, zoning, and permitting resources provide a clear framework for establishing a business.

 

12) Understanding Employer Responsibilities

From understanding labor laws to hiring employees, there are many elements to consider when starting a business. The Virginia Employment Commission details the requirements. Learn more.

Grow Your Business

Fauquier County has the elements for business growth firmly in place, helping you expand your enterprise with clarity and confidence. From workforce talent to affordable real estate, capital assistance to incentives, we supply the essentials for growth and expansion. Our stable, pro-business environment helps you scale responsibly. You want the room to grow, and we’ll show you where to go.