Office of Business Recruitment
The Office of Business Recruitment is a partnership between the City with the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce to provide expansion and relocation evaluation to existing and emerging businesses with a focus on recruiting and encouraging new businesses.
This office maintains a database that provides up-to-date information on what properties are available in the area and conducts identification of market needs and voids through research and identifying potential vendors and support services for existing businesses.
For an appointment, contact amatthews@rockymountchamber.org or call (252) 973-1213.
Starting and Growing a Business
The first step in establishing a business is to determine that the proposed location is zones properly for the proposed business. Even if you plan on working from home, a Home Occupation Permit is required.
Zoning Verification information and Home Occupation Permits are obtained from the Rocky Mount, Nash County, Edgecombe or Tarboro Planning and Inspection Departments. Be sure you have your tax identification number (available from the Tax Collections Office) when requesting zoning information.
Edgecombe Planning & Inspections - (252) 641-7802
201 St. Andrew Street
Tarboro, NC 27886
http://www.edgecombecountync.gov/planning/planning.aspx
Nash County Planning & Inspections - (252) 459-9808
120 W. Washington Street
Nashville, NC 27856
http://www.co.nash.nc.us/index.aspx?nid=219
Rocky Mount – Planning & Development - (252) 972-1109
331 S. Franklin Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27802
http://www.rockymountnc.gov/planning/
Tarboro – Planning & Inspection - (252) 641-4249
500 Main Street
Tarboro, NC 27886
http://www.tarboro-nc.com/town_tarboro_goverment/departments/planning+inspection
The second step is to obtain a Business Privilege License. Contact the Tax Collection Offices of the City and County.
The Fee for a business privilege license is determined by a fee schedule.
Nash County Tax- (252) 459-9824
http://www.co.nash.nc.us/index.aspx?nid=285
Edgecombe County Tax Collection – (252) 641-7810
http://www.edgecombecountync.gov/tax/tax.aspx
Rocky Mount Inspections - (252) 459-9808
http://www.rockymountnc.gov/planning/
Tarboro Business Licenses- (252) 641-4209
http://www.tarboro-nc.com/business+economic+development/business+licenses
If your business will be operated under any name other than yours or your business partner(s) file an Assumed Name Certificate with the Register of Deeds.
Office of the Register of Deeds
Nash County – (252) 459-9836
120 W. Washington Street ( 3RD Floor)
Nashville, NC 27856
http://www.co.nash.nc.us/index.aspx?nid=243
Edgecombe County – (252) 641-1771
201 St. Andrew Street
Tarboro, NC 27886
http://www.edgecombecountync.gov/rod/rod.aspx
State Requirements
A State Privilege License and License Tax are applicable to most businesses in North Carolina. Licenses are issued annually and should be applied for before the commencement of any business activity. Contac the NC Dept. of Revenue’s License and Excise Tax Divisions for information’s on Privilege Licenses.
North Carolina Department of Revenue
License and Excise Tax Division
P.O. Box 25000, Raleigh, NC 27640-0640
(919)733-3673
http://www.dornc.com/
If your business will be incorporated in North Carolina, file Articles of Incorporation with the Department of the Secretary of State.
Department of the Secretary of State
Corporations Division
2 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 807-2225
https://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/
All retail sales in North Carolina are Subject to sales Tax unless specifically exempt by statute. Wholesale transactions with a registered merchant for the purpose of resale are not subject to this tax. For information regarding this or to obtain a Wholesale Merchant’s certificate of Sale, please contact the NC Dept. of Revenue, Sales and Use Division.
North Carolina Department of Revenue
Sales and Use Division
501 Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 733-2151
http://www.dornc.com/downloads/sales.html
Other State Requirements and Tax Information:
Incorporated businesses are required to file an annual franchise and income tax returns with the state.
North Carolina Department of Revenue
Corporate Income and Franchise Tax Division
501 Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 733-3166
http://www.dornc.com/downloads/corporate.html
Any company employing one or more employees is required to provide unemployment insurance coverage for its workers. The NC Employment Security Commission administers employer contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Fund. For more information, contact their local office.
Employment Security Commission of N.C.
121 S. Fairview Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27801
(252) 977-3306
https://www.ncesc.com/default.aspx
If your company will be employing three or more employees; you will be required to provide workers compensation coverage. For more information regarding Workers’ Comp., contact the NC Industrial Commission
North Carolina Industrial Commission
4319 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4319
(919)807-2500, Fax (919) 715-0282
http://www.ic.nc.gov/
To ensure the health and safety of workers employed in North Carolina, the Department of Labor administers the Occupational Safety and Health Act of NC. The department offers free services to ensure that your business is in compliance with OSHA standards.
North Carolina Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Division
4 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601-1092
(919) 807-2875
http://www.nclabor.com/osha/osh.htm
Federal Requirements
If you have employees, the “Small Business Kit” is essential for navigating federal regulations. Call the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-3676 and they will mail it to you with all the information you need, including Forms 940, 941, SS-4, W-2’s, W-4’s, the “Tax guide for Small Business,” Circular E, and other federal necessities for starting a business.
As mentioned in the state Requirements section, if you have employees, complete the SS-4 Form (Application for Employer Identification Number) in order to obtain a federal withholding I.D. tax number.
Internal Revenue Service
3308 Chapel Hill Blvd., Suite 132, Durham, NC 27707
(919) 829-1040
http://www.irs.gov/