Guide gives potential business owners direction

 

By MIKE NEUMANN
The Independent

 

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Anyone wondering what it takes to open a business in Woodstock may want to head over to City Hall for a copy of the city’s new Business Resource Guide.
The document, which took about eight months to compile, is “a one-stop shop” for potential business owners looking to locate in Woodstock, said Mike Marzal, the city’s economic development coordinator.
The document pertains to any new or expanding business — whether commercial, industrial or even home-based.
Marzal said the idea for the guide came about a year-and-a-half ago, when he started to work on an annual economic development report of Woodstock’s business community. Many potential business owners often had the same questions about what it takes to open a business in town, from choosing a business location to working through meetings to building a facility.
The guide outlines the steps the city requires of each business owner. It also includes contact numbers and names of organizations that can help throughout the process.
The guide lists information important to new business owners, regardless of where they intend to open their businesses. The lists include contacts and information about business registration, federal and state taxes, labor laws, workers’ compensation and labor poster display requirements.
Also listed in the Business Resource Guide are local assistance and resource contacts, such as McHenry County College Small Business Development, Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, Woodstock Downtown Business Association and the Woodstock Public Library.
Key Woodstock demographics give business owners an idea of what Woodstock has to offer.
“We want to make sure we make things as easy as possible (for potential business owners),” Marzal said.
Marzal added that while larger corporations know about state and federal requirements, the document provides essential information about what Woodstock requires. For smaller businesses, the listing of professional resources for the owner to turn to can be advantageous.
The guide has been available for the past three months. At 16 pages, it is quick and easy to digest but is detailed enough to give people a good idea of what it takes to start a business in Woodstock.
The document can be updated easily when contact numbers or demographics change, but Marzal said he sees no reason for major changes yet.
“A lot of the information here will be the same no matter what,” he said, noting that the document has “staying power.”
Marzal said he and city officials feel that the Business Resource Guide shows Woodstock is accommodating to new business.

This editorial was published in the May 7, 2008 edition of The Woodstock Independent.