Registering a business in Minneapolis is easy with the right government assistance.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul has the fourth highest concentration of small businesses in the nation and the local government provides lots of help to get new business owners up and running in no time. The City's Department of Community Planning and the Minnesota Economic Development office offer technical assistance ranging from locating the right commercial or industry site to help with employment and training.
Instructions
1. In Minnesota, you can register a sole proprietorship, a partnership, a "C" or "S" corporation or a limited liability company (LLC). The simplest and least expensive type of business entity to register is the sole proprietorship. If you plan on being in business by yourself and your business is small, this might be the best match for you. However, sole proprietorship does not have the liability protections of a corporation or an LLC. You must register your type of business entity with the Minnesota Secretary of State Office.
2. Registering a business in Minneapolis means also complying with local zoning regulations for your business. Check with the Minnesota Zoning Office to make sure the building or location is properly zoned. If you plan to start a one-person operation, check the Minneapolis Zoning Code, which lets you operate from your home with certain limitations. For example, if your home-based business is open to the public, the Minneapolis Zoning Code lets you operate only from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
3. Minneapolis offers many grant and loan opportunities through their city website. Click on the link under "Resources" for loans and grant information from the City of Minneapolis Business Support Services. Assistance from the city ranges from $1,000 to $10 million.
4. Any business using an assumed name operating in Minneapolis must register the assumed business name with the Minnesota Secretary of State. For example, if John Doe is operating John's Pizzeria, then his assumed name would be "John Doe dba John's Pizzeria." If John Foods, Inc. is operating John's Pizzeria, then the company's assumed name would be "John Foods, Inc., dba John's Pizzeria." If the name is the same nothing needs to be filed.
5. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development maintains a list of over one hundred types of businesses that require specific licenses. Contact them to check what type of business license your business may need, then apply for, and obtain, the proper license.
