Information available
on this page
Dean's Seminar on Succession Planning
"Finding Money for Your Small Business"
Starting a Business in Spokane
City of Spokane Resource Links
Economic Development
Incentives/Funding/Financing
Business Startup FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Answer Sheet
on the Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program
"Millions in free government money for your business." - Misnomer
We've all seen the headlines: "Millions in free government money for your
business." Late-night infomercials, reference guides and websites promote the
availability of grant money to entrepreneurs for starting and expanding
businesses. Sound too good to be true? It is. The truth is that federal and
state governments do not provide grants for starting and expanding small
businesses. However, the U.S. government does offer a wide-variety of
low-interest loans and venture capital financing programs to help entrepreneurs
start and grow their businesses. In addition, some federal and state agencies
award a limited number of grants for very specialized business activities such
as scientific research and development. Business.gov has an online guide which
provides an explanation of federal and state loan, grant and venture capital
financing programs available for your small business. Visit their site at
http://www.business.gov/topic/finance/loans.html to read more.
NBC hosted the Dean’s Seminar
in October -
Did you
miss it?
No Worries - we filmed it!
TOPIC:
Succession Planning
- what will happen to your business when you no longer want to
manage it?
PANEL:
Leading the panel will be Dr. Robert Schwartz, EWU Foundation
Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director of the
Center for Entrepreneurial Activities at Eastern Washington
University. Dr. Schwartz has experience with business transitions of
many kinds. Joining him will be Mike Taylor, President of Taylor
Engineering, and Jill Smith, creator and harvester of seven
businesses, both of whom will share their personal experiences about
succession and harvesting. Lisë Stewart, the managing partner of
Galliard Group, a business consulting firm that specializes in
services to family-owned and closely held companies, will round out
the panel. Come join us!
Click here to view
the Dean's Seminar video on Succession Planning
If you are thinking about
starting or expanding your business, SNAP may be able to help. Spokane
Neighborhood Action Programs (SNAP) offers assistance to small businesses
through its Microenterprise Program. SNAP provides business loans up to
$25,000, and will also provide free business consulting services such as writing
a business plan, marketing, accounting, and developing financial statements.
Individuals must meet certain income qualifications and live within Spokane
County. Contact Dave Heyamoto, 456-7174,
heyamoto@snapwa.org for more
information.
Did you miss
this workshop???
No Worries - we filmed it!!
Click
here to view the entire program
At this workshop small business owners learned
about a multitude of small business funding opportunities and how they can
access the funding and training available.
Beginning Steps:
Business Startup FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Seek
Entrepreneurial Assistances
Starting a
restaurant is very different from the steps we recommend here. Until we
are able to post steps for restaurant startups to follow, we recommend that
you contact Spokane Community
College about their Hotel/Restaurant program.
Chef David Blaine who maintains an informative blog
From The Back Kitchen, which
we also encourage you to visit.
Step 2: Seek Business Planning Assistances
Step 2.1: If you are looking for
property call a neighborhood business association
Step 3:
Talk with Business & Development Services
Step 4: Talk with the City of Spokane Planning Department
Step 5: Talk with the Licensing Department
Business
Startup Assistance on the Internet
City of Spokane Resource Links
City of Spokane Municipal Code
Current Planning ("Zoning")
City of Spokane GIS
Click here Step 2:
to view local resources for seeking Business Planning Assistances
Main Street plays a variety of different roles in
relation to downtown business assistance and incentives, but what is probably
the single most important tool that businesses need that your Program may be
missing out on? A business plan workshop for your local entrepreneurs to
actually learn how to better manage their business' future!
Well, let's look at some reasons for why the business plan is the cornerstone
of a downtown business' activities, according to the National Main Street
Center's Institute for Professional Downtown Management...
#1.)
The Role of the Business Plan:
First, most business owners have BIG dreams,
which will require BIG money, often beyond the resources of most budding
entrepreneurs. Therefore, the business plan is necessary in order to attract
capital from banks, private investors, or, even venture capitalists. In
addition, preparing a business plan is an invaluable educational experience,
often being the first time an entrepreneur is forced to look at - and
understand! - the full scope of running a business and the dynamic
interrelation of the various other business element functions. And, because
many intrepid entrepreneurs dilute their efforts by trying to be all things to
all people, a business plan provides critical focus and discipline.
Finally, the business plan is very important in 3 primary areas:
- Firstly, it teaches that
intrepid entrepreneur, and your Main Street Program, about the business
opportunity itself.
- Secondly, the plan provides
enormous insight into the experience & sophistication of that intrepid
entrepreneur and their potential for development.
- Thirdly, it begins to identify
both the human and financial needs of the emerging business.
#2.)
A Business Plan is Prepared for 2 Purposes:
- Firstly, is to document
information, relevant analysis, key decisions, and action programs.
- Secondly, is to demonstrate
the attractiveness of the opportunity to potential management and investors.
#3.)
3 Key Uses of the Business Plan:
- Firstly, is to describe the
business's 4 key planning elements (we'll address that, momentarily).
- Secondly, is to describe the
nature of the proper implementation plan for businesses in their development
phases.
- Thirdly, is to emphasize that
the nature & content of a goodly business plan changes as a business changes
and evolves.
#4.)
The 4 Key Elements of a Business Plan (here they are!):
The key elements for any business plan are
geared to the 4 basic elements of a successful business - imagine that!?
- Firstly, an economically &
viable product or service with attractive markets.
- Secondly, an established
attack plan that can be replicated.
- Thirdly, a seasoned management
team that has demonstrated it can carry out the attack plan!
- Fourthly, a tool for
identifying major "go!", "no-go!" decisions for use of funds.
A business plan must express how the firm already has, or will, obtain these 4
elements. You see, it IS an important management tool, and it is also used by
others to judge the attractiveness of an investment. To sum it all up (and
without trying to be too redundant!), a business plan does contain many
important points, but, the 3 key components are the product/market concept,
the attack plan, and of course, management.
The
3 Key Components:
-#1.) Investors may be hooked by a
product/market that is new, different, better in performance, lower
in cost, focused on a specific customer base, and hard for competitors to
duplicate.
#2.) For a brand-spankin'-new business the
Attack Plan must be geared to the phase of a business's
development. It's gotta have milestones and "go!", "no-go!" decision points
that give investors some control over their investments.
#3.) Management is very
important: investors will want to know who is on board, now, and who or what
skills must be added as their adventure evolves.
Alrighty, then!
Main Street should
be viewed by the business community as a valuable business assistance resource
and as an advocate for small business success.
It's your community, your downtown and your future - they can't survive
without an executed strategic plan, and we call that Main Street.
Have a Great Spring, Downtown!
Matthew
Matthew S. Weaver
Deputy State Director
Oklahoma Main Street Center
Step 3:
Please call Development Incentives. There are many
incentives offered for which your new venture may qualify.
Business & Development Services
Director,
Teresa
Brum
3rd Floor, City Hall
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
ph : (509) 625-6983
fx : (509) 625-6013
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Some
City of Spokane Business & Development
Services &
Economic Development Funding/Financing
City of Spokane Centers & Corridors Information Sheet
Development Incentives in Centers & Corridors Information Sheet
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Multiple Family
Housing Property Tax Exemption
Word Document
explaining this incentive
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Chapter 08.15
Multiple Family Housing Property Tax Exemption
Section
08.15.010
Purpose
A.
The purposes of this chapter are:
1.
To encourage more multifamily housing
opportunities within the City;
2.
To stimulate the construction of new
multifamily housing and the rehabilitation of existing vacant and
underutilized buildings for multifamily housing;
3.
To increase the supply of multifamily
housing opportunities within the City;
4.
To accomplish the planning goals required
under the Growth Management Act, RCW Chapter 36.70A, as implemented from
time to time by the City's current and future Comprehensive Plans;
5.
To promote community development and
neighborhood revitalization;
6.
To preserve and protect buildings, objects,
sites, and neighborhoods with historic, cultural, architectural,
engineering or geographic significance located within the City; and
7.
To encourage additional housing in areas
that are consistent with planning for public transit systems.
B.
Any one (1) or a combination of these
purposes may be furthered by the designation of a residential targeted
area under this chapter.
Date Passed: Monday, March 6, 2000
Effective Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2000
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Historic
Preservation Incentives |
A variety of special incentives are
available to owners of historic properties in Spokane/Spokane County. A
brief description of each follows.
Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
(Federal Legislation)
A Federal income tax credit may be granted
to commercial properties that are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places,
and on which "substantial rehabilitation" is performed. Precertification
(phase 1) and completion (phase H) review and approval by the
Washington State Department of Archaeology
and Historic Preservation and the
National Park Service, is
required. Rehabilitation must comply with Federal standards for
preservation of historic properties. The tax credit can be amortized.
To learn more about Federal Historic
Preservation Tax Incentives, click
here.
Special Valuation Tax Incentive
(State/Local Legislation)
A reduction on the portion of an owner's
property tax tied to "improvements" on a tax parcel (structures), and on
which "substantial rehabilitation" is performed, is also available.
Eligible properties are determined by a designated local review body (Spokane
Historic Landmarks Commission), and in Spokane/Spokane County
must be listed on the
Spokane Register of Historic Places.
Rehabilitation must comply with
Federal standards for the preservation of
historic properties and consist of 25% or more of the
assessed value of the structure (not the land) prior to
rehabilitation (i.e. a historic structure assessed at $100,000 must have
had at least $25,000 in rehabilitation to be eligible for special
valuation). The tax abatement lasts for ten years.
Application fees:
$125.00 for residential properties and $250.00 for all other properties.
For a brochure highlighting this program
and the application process, click
here.
Open Space Taxation
(State/Local Legislation)
This is a permanent reduction in the
percentage of an owner's property tax based on land value only. A
"Public Benefit Rating" is assigned by local elected officials, based on
recommendations made by local review agencies. In the case of historic
resources, the
Landmarks Commission may
contribute to the official review process.
Facade/Conservation Easement
(Federal/State/Local Legislation)
In exchange for the donation of an
easement, consisting of either a portion of land or a building's facade,
an owner may: a) claim a one-time Federal income tax deduction, and b)
realize a permanent property tax reduction based on the value of the
donated property. The easement must be granted to a qualified entity;
and in exchange, the owner must agree to maintain the donated property.
Conditional Use Permit
(Local Legislation)
A permit allowing a non-conforming use may
be granted to an historic property by the City or County Zoning Board.
The property and use may be declared eligible by the local historic
review body (Landmarks
Commission.)
Building Code Relief
(Local Policy)
Relief from building code requirements may
be granted to historic properties by local code enforcement officers.
The local historic review body (Landmarks
Commission)
may recommend historic property eligibility and
code deviation.
Miscellaneous Incentives
These are incentives available to certain
properties on a general basis, but may require special consideration
when the properties involved are historic:
Community Development Block Grants/Home
Rehabilitation Grants
Private Foundation Grants
Rental Rehab/Minor Home Repair Programs
For additional information on these
incentives, please review the appropriate sections within this website,
or contact the
Historic Preservation Office.
For additional types of funding for
historic properties, click
here.
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Spokane Community Empowerment Zone (CEZ) |
The Spokane Community
Empowerment Zone and Tax Increment Financing programs are intended to
stimulate economic development throughout Spokane by offering qualified
businesses special tax incentives. The Spokane CEZ and TIF include most
of the West Central, East Central and Hillyard neighborhoods and
surrounding areas. To qualify for tax incentives, businesses must:
Locate or expand within the
designated geographic area; and/or
Locate in a designated zones
and/or hire employees who are residents of the zone.
CEZ offers the following tax
incentives:
Sales and Use Tax Deferral/Exemption
on new equipment and construction costs for new
or remodeled buildings used in
manufacturing, research and development activities, or computer-related
activities.
Business and Occupation New Job Tax Credit
of $2,000 (wages and benefits $40k or
less) or $4,000 (wages and benefits more
than $40k) per new job created by manufacturing, research and
development, and software development firms.
Business and Occupation International
Business Tax Credit
of $3,000 (up to five
years) per new
job created by firms providing certain international business services.
Business and Occupation Training Tax Credit
of 20 percent of the amount spent on
employer-provided job training that is
designed to enhance employee performance, up to $5,000 annually per
firm.
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Other funding programs may be available.
Please contact the
City of Spokane Economic Development
Director for more
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Please remember to always check with the City Planning
Department on the zoning of your property and whether any permits will be
needed.
Use the Site Selector (link above) to locate available properties.
Planning Services
3rd Floor, City Hall
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201
ph : (509) 625-6060
fx : (509) 625-6013 |
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Then you should follow up by contacting the City of Spokane Taxes & Licensing
Office, they not only provide Business Licensing but they will put help direct
you on your next steps.
What
do I need to do before I apply for a business license?
How to apply for a business
license?
What are the
fees associated with a business license?
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Taxes & Licenses
1st Floor, City Hall
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201
ph : (509) 625-6070
fx : (509) 625-6990 |
Ellen Dolan
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What do I
need to do before I apply for a business license?
You have many decisions you need to
make before you apply for a business license.
The following are some resources to help you get started.
State Resources
Doing business in Washington
Master Business License
Dept of Labor & Industries
Dept of Revenue
Employment Security Dept
Secretary of State
Gambling Commission
Liquor Control Board
Federal Resources
Internal Revenue Service
US Small Business Administration
Service Corps of Retired Execs (SCORE)
US Patent & Trademark Office
How to apply for a business
license?
On-line
At this time, we are not set up to take applications on-line. We
apologize for any inconvenience. Please print the
application fill out and mail with the
license fee to:
City of Spokane
Treasurer’s Office
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201
In Person
The application process for a business license takes 20-30
minutes.
Hours of operation
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Except for Holidays
By Mail
Please print the
application fill out and mail with the
license fee to:
City of Spokane
Treasurer’s Office
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, WA 99201
If you don’t have access to the internet, please call us at
509-625-6070 to request an application.
What are the fees
associated with a business license?
BUSINESS LICENSE FEE CALCULATION
BASE FEE: $60.00
TEMPORARY LICENSE: $35.00 for first
90 days, $25.00 to renew for additional 90 days if renewed within 90 day
license period.
TRANSFER FEE: $10.00 is due
whenever there is a CHANGE of ownership, name or location to include change of
suite in the same building.
BRANCH FEE: $10.00 for each
additional location and/or each unique name inside the City of Spokane. Mobile
carts or other mobile units from which business is conducted is considered an
additional location.
PERSONNEL FEE:
Number of Personnel
Fee Per Person*
1 through 5 $10.00 each
*
Per Person Fee is based on the
6 through 10 $15.00 each total
number of personnel working
11 or more $20.00 each within the
City of Spokane.
Personnel Definition: Any person
employed by or at any business within the City and/or persons who perform any
part of their duties within the City of Spokane.
NOTE: Sole proprietors and spouses are NOT personnel under this
definition.
Personnel include:
·
All officers,
agents, dealers, LLC members, etc. of a corporation or business trust.
·
Partners (fee
applies to every partner over one.)
BUSINESS SITE EVALUATION FEE:
Site evaluation fees apply ONLY to businesses located within the City limits
with any of the following criteria:
·
new businesses, or
·
new business
owners, or
·
relocated
businesses, or
·
additional sites
for an existing business.
Calculate fee based on each new business or location.
Number of Personnel
At the location
Fee
Business operates from a residence
N/A $15.00
Business operates from a commercial location
0 through 5 $25.00
6 through 10 $50.00
11 or more $75.00
How to apply for a temporary
license?
Temporary licenses are good for 90
days. Please fill out a Temporary License application. [link]
A temporary license is $35.00 for first 90 days.
Renewal
If you find you will be operating your business more than the 90 days, you may
renew for an additional 90 day period.
-
If you renew prior
to the expiration of the original 90 day license, your renewal fee is $25.00.
-
If you renew after
the expiration date, the fee is $35.00.
You may want to consider applying for a regular business license if you
expect to be in business for over 90 days.
A business site evaluation fee may also apply.
What do I
need to know before I start my business?
Read
Starting a Business in WA State by the
Dept of Revenue.
Learn about
Doing Business with WA State from the
Dept of Information Services.
Is there free money or
grants available to help people start a business?
See the Library's web site on
finding money to start a business.
The
WA Business Assistance Center.
Where do I go to get
information about business licenses?
If the business will be
located within Spokane City limits, go to the Spokane City Taxes and License
Office at City Hall, 1st floor, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd, 625-6070
.
Visit the
Dept of Licensing's useful business start-up page on its Business Licenses
page.
How do I write a business
plan, start a corporation, find sample business plans?
See the
business plan section
of the Library's web
page on
Starting Your Own Business.
You'll find a list of
books and web pages that can help.
How do I find a list
of businesses that recently obtained business licenses in Spokane?
Every issue of the
Spokane Journal of Business lists newly
issued business licenses. It includes the name of the business and its address.
Get corporations forms (.pdf
format) from the
Corporations, Trademarks and
Limited Partnerships Division.
Answer Sheet on
the
Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program
Question: What is the
Multi-Family Tax Exemption program?
Answer: It encourages the
creation of new multi-family housing in urban centers that currently lack
housing opportunities by providing a 10-year tax exemption on the assessed
value of new buildings or improvements made to existing buildings.
Question: Is this program
just for millionaires?
Answer: No. In fact,
one-quarter of the units created through this program (256 apartments) are
for low-income people. The City also has many other programs that support
the creation of low-income housing.
Question: Is this program
just for condominiums?
Answer: No, it’s for any
kind of multi-family housing. (“Multi-family housing” must have at least 4
units in one building, all on one parcel.) In fact, more apartments have
been created through the program than condominiums.
Question: Is this tax
exemption just for housing built downtown?
Answer: No. Although
most of the condominium projects so far have been downtown, the apartment
projects are scattered throughout the city. The tax exempt target areas
include all the Centers and Corridors, which are the business districts in
each neighborhood.
Question: What do we get
back in return for this tax exemption?
Answer: First, the City does not lose any property tax revenue
because all property that was taxed before is still taxed; it’s only an
exemption on the new improvements. In addition,
-
Sales tax
on all the construction costs provides revenue to the City,
-
New or renewed
buildings pay utility taxes whereas vacant lots or abandoned
buildings do not, and
-
It’s a great way to
bring new life to the City. Without this incentive, these projects
might never be built at all, or be built outside of the City.
Last changed:
04/22/08
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