Business Resources

10 Steps to Starting a Business

Starting a business involves planning, making key financial decisions and completing a series of legal activities. These 10 easy steps from the Small Business Administration can help you plan, prepare and manage your business.

Innovate Mississippi

Innovate Mississippi accelerates startups and drives entrepreneurship throughout the state, strengthenin and growing the culture of innovation in Mississippi.
If you’ve got a business idea, they are ready to hear about it.

Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network

Whether you need assistance with business planning, financial analysis, marketing strategies, or any other aspect of entrepreneurship, these confidential one-on-one counseling sessions are a valuable resource to help you navigate the complexities of the business world with confidence and success. MCDP is proud to be part of the MSSBDCNetwork, providing local business owners, or prospective owners with resources to increase your potential for success.

Starting Local

If you are locating your business within the city limits of Columbia, the following may be obtained at City Hall, 201 Second Street, Columbia.
-Building Permits
-Privilege Tax License
-Gas Permits
-Water
Commercial Water Agreement
Residential Water Agreement
-City Property Taxes are managed in the Marion County Tax Assessor office in the Marion County Courthouse

Get more information by calling Columbia City Hall at 601-736-8201 or reach out to us at MCDP.

Electric – Mississippi Power
Gas- Delta Utilities 1-800-371-5417 Telephone: AT&T CSpire

Have your business listed by category with link to your business site on MCDP’s website

Promote and create a memorable event for your ribbon cutting ceremony with help from MCDP

Marion County Steps for Business

Tax Information:
Marion County Tax Collector/Assessor Courthouse
601-736-8256
Marion County Rural Water Associations
Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association 601-736-2666

For more information contact the Marion County Board of Supervisors at 601-736-7382.

Hiring Employees:

WIN Job Center

1111 US Hwy 98, Suite A
Columbia, MS 39429
Phone: 601-736-2628

How To Grow Your Business

The Value of Membership in the MCDP

An MCDP membership is more than a business decision — it’s a partnership. By joining, you gain credibility, connections, and visibility, while also aligning with the organization leading economic growth in Marion County. Membership signals that you’re invested not only in your own success, but in building a stronger community for everyone. Click here to find out five great benefits of partnering with MCDP.

9 Tips For Growing A Successful Business

To succeed in business today, you need to be flexible and have good planning and organizational skills. Many people start a business thinking that they’ll turn on their computers or open their doors and start making money, only to find that making money in a business is much more difficult than they thought. You can avoid this in your business ventures by taking your time and planning out all the necessary steps you need to achieve success. Click the icon for more info

Sell to the Government - Mississippi Contract Procurement Center

Use this tool to help buy and sell to the government in MS.

Small Business Administration

Use this guide to help start your business! Packed with tools, tips and resources.

Entrepreneur's Tool Kit

Created by the Mississippi Development Authority, this document walks you from the basic first questions through the creation of a business plan to licensing, permits and financing.

Small Business Disaster Preparedness

Discussing “What if” isn’t always easy, but it’s important. Natural disasters, humanitarian crises, public health threats, or workplace violence can threaten our businesses and communities. This site provides information and training to help you and your business prepare to be more resilient in the face of disasters.