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Business Resources

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Shaking Hands

Cobb County Economic Development 's new Business Guide

Checklists and Resources for New Businesses

This New Business Guide is provided as a convenient tool for approaching sequential questions and issues as you take your business from an idea to initial planning, to the commencement of business activities.
While this guide covers most of the topics relevant to starting your business, there are variables that may require additional attention. Our team is prepared to answer your questions and to work with you every step of the way.

Download the New Business Guide 

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2021 New Business Guide: Checklists and Resources

Cobb County Business Concierge Services

Cobb County values our business community and understands its importance on our local economy. Whether you are at the initial stage of your business concept or an established business looking to expand, we know there are many variables to consider and we are here to help. Our Business Concierge Services assists current and prospective business owners who are looking to start, expand and relocate their business in Cobb County.

For more information, please contact our Business Concierge Team at econdev@cobbcounty.org or (770) 528-2018.

Business Concierge Open Office Hours

The Cobb County Economic Development Office is proud to offer open office hours for aspiring entrepreneurs, active entrepreneurs, and small business owners to discuss business resources, review grant applications, and more. Office hours are held weekly on Wednesdays, from 8:30am - 10:30am.  Appointments are scheduled in 15-minute increments. 

Schedule time to speak with us today. 

New Business Phone Directory

Opening a new business is a complicated, though exciting, endeavor. Here are a few numbers and web sites to help you on your way to setting up your new business:

ELECTRICITY

Acworth Power (770) 917-8903
Cobb EMC (770) 429-2100
Georgia Power (888) 655-5888
Greystone Power Corporation (770) 942-6576
Marietta Power (770) 794-5150

GAS

Atlanta Gas Light (877) 427-2464
Austell Gas Systems (770) 948-1841
Gas South (866) 762-6427
Georgia Natural Gas (888) 442-7489
SCANA Energy (877) 467-2262

GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Auto Emission Inspections (800) 449-2471
Auto Tags (770) 528-4020
Better Business Bureau (404) 688-4910
Board of Health (770) 514-2300
Business License Office (Cobb) (770) 528-8410
Cobb Transit (CobbLinc) (770) 427-4444
Cobb County Government (770) 528-1000
Cobb County State Court (770) 528-1761
Department of Sanitation (Marietta) (770) 794-5595
Department of Driver Services (678) 413-8400 
Georgia Department of Labor (770) 528-6100
Land Disturbance Permitting (770) 528-2147
Landfill (770) 528-2500
Recycling (770) 528-1135
Solid Waste (770) 528-2500
Zoning (770) 528-2035
Fire Marshal (770) 528-8310.

Who do we serve?

  • Individuals and entrepreneurs wanting to start or create a new business
  • Business owners wanting to expand and relocate their business
  • Business owners with questions or concerns about changes in Cobb County requirements and processes

What’s provided?

  • Entrepreneurial support by connecting business owners to technical, financial and market resources
  • Small business incentives that assist in job creation, entrepreneurship, small business development, job retention and business recruitment
  • Education and assistance in navigating the County permitting process, One Stop Shop
  • Advocate for business within the County
  • Arrange meetings across departments and provide a single point of contact within the County
  • Assist with interactions and problem resolution with all County departments
  • Work as an advocate with other agencies and community partners for coordinated solutions to business issues
  • Identify and connect clients to additional business resources at the local and state level
  • Connecting business to sustainability programs and resources

Business Resources

  • Starting a business
  • Expanding a business
  • Managing a business
  • Mentoring and Training
  • Financing
  • Innovation
  • Workforce Development

Business Services

  • Business Licensing
  • Permitting & Inspections
  • Online Permit Applications
  • Site Plan Review
  • Business License and Permitting Forms
  • IRS Small Business & Self-employed Tax Center
  • Starting a Business in the State of Georgia
  • Cobb & Douglas Public Health

Developmental Resources

  • One Stop Shop to assist new and existing companies facilitate and expedite permitting, construction and regulatory processes 
  • Incentives
  • Tax Credits
  • 2040 Comprehensive Plan
  • County Code of Ordinances and Zoning
  • County Info, Maps, Districts
    • GIS Map
    • Aerial Map of Cobb County
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Fire Marshal Logo, Opening a Business in a Commercial Space Thumbnail
VIDEO: Open or Move Business in a Commercial Building

Watch this video and learn about the requirements to open or move your business in a Commercial Building. 

If you own business in a commercial building in unincorporated Cobb County, whether opening a new business, or an existing business that is changing location, this video will help guide you to the necessary process to meet the Cobb County Fire Marshal's Office requirements to get a Certificate of Occupancy (C/O) or the process for an Information Change Form, if applicable.

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Economic Development Demographics Dashboard
Demographics Dashboard

Access this application on a desktop computer for easiest use. Select your current or potential business location and explore demographics information within 1 mile, 3 miles, or 5 miles. Data is gathered by census tract. 

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Coworking office with desks
Coworking in Cobb County: non-traditional work environments for entrepreneurs

Coworking is a concept that has become very popular over the last couple of years. With the ever growing rise of teleworking and telecommuting, these new, non-traditional work environments are becoming the norm for many individuals in and around the Cobb County area who do not want to deal with the distractions of working from home nor the lengthy commute to the office. This story map will outline where the many Coworking, Accelerator, Incubator, and Entrepreneurial centers are located within Cobb County, while also providing information and links to each facility.

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Download the Small Business Resource Guide
SBA's Small Business Resource Guide

Visit the Small Business Administration's Small Business Resource Guide. Learn how to plan, launch, manage, and grow your business. 

Greater Wealth Works

Greater Wealth Works (GWW) creates an environment in which our clients develop income strategies, entrepreneurial skills, business expertise, and overall wellness.

They offer an array of services to give clients the opportunity to create a financially sustainable life for themselves and their families through financial literacy, business ownership, career pathway investment, and leadership development.

Through specialized training courses, one-on-one consultations, group coaching, access to financial resources, and client-exclusive benefits, GWW equip clients with the life skills needed for personal and professional well-being. They celebrate with our clients along the path of their journey to life fulfillment and wealth creation.

For more information click here to visit hreaterwealthworks.org. 

Georgia Department of Economic Development

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, aligning workforce education and training with in-demand jobs, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia and promoting the state as a destination for arts and location for film, music and digital entertainment projects as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. Visit georgia.org 

UGA, Small Business Development Center

The UGA - SBDC at Kennesaw State University's Coles College of Business offers entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses in Cobb and Cherokee County the tools and information they need to thrive.

In addition to free, one-on-one consulting services, they offer continuing education in a variety of subjects, including:

  • Loan preparation
  • Pricing strategies
  • Financial score-carding
  • Digital marketing strategy and SEO
  • Business plan development
  • Product development

Visit the website for UGA 's Small Business Development Center at KSU 

Cobb Chamber's Business Resource Center

The Cobb Chamber's Business Resource Center provides research and data customized to your needs. The center is a source of up-to-date information for companies or individuals searching for custom market data. The center includes databases that provide company profiles, demographic reports with current year estimates and a database of available commercial property. Visit cobbchamber.org

SCORE North Metro Atlanta

SCORE is a non-profit association and resource partner with the Small Business Administration dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small businesses. Working and retired executives and business owners who share their expertise across more than 60 industries donate their time as volunteer business counselors, providing confidential counseling and mentoring free of charge. Visit northmetroatlanta.score.org

SCORE also provides:

  • Free business tools, templates and tips
  • Free mentoring
  • Free or inexpensive business workshops (online or at the Chamber)
  • Free or inexpensive webinars (24/7)

Edward Lowe Foundation

The Edward Lowe Foundation was established by Ed and Darlene Lowe in 1985. The foundation’s entrepreneurship initiatives are focused on second-stage companies — growth-oriented firms that have moved beyond startup but haven’t yet reached maturity. Our peer learning, leadership education and strategic information programs are geared to help these companies continue growing. We also educate communities about the challenges second-stagers face and how to work with them. Visit edwardlowe.org

U.S. Small Business Administration

Since its founding on July 30, 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. Visit sba.gov/ga for more information.

  • SBA provides assistance primarily through its four programmatic functions:
  • Access to Capital (Business Financing)
  • Entrepreneurial Development (Education, Information, Technical Assistance & Training)
  • Government Contracting (Federal Procurement)
  • Advocacy (Voice for Small Business)