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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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)