Business Counseling
Tarrant Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
From pre-venture or startup to growth, or implementing an exit strategy, the SBDC Business Advisors are available to help entrepreneurs and existing businesses with all aspects of their company’s lifespan. The Business Development Advisors bring their collective experience to work for you. Each session is personalized, confidential, free of charge and tailored to meet your business needs. Sessions cover a wide range of issues, such as:
- Start-Up Feasibility Analysis
- Business Plan Development
- Industry and Market Research
- Loan Package Development
- Cash Flow Analysis
- Growth Planning
- Exit Strategies
- And more…
If you are unsure about how to start a business, or what is needed, the SBDC recommends attending their “Start a Business” workshop. Or, if you have an idea of your business development goals, that’s the perfect time to request an appointment. The SBDC’s main headquarters is in Ft. Worth with satellite offices in Arlington.
Contact Information:
Satellite Office #1
Arlington Chamber of Commerce
505 E. Border Street
Arlington, TX 76010
817-515-2603
www.tarrantsbdc.org
Satellite Office #2
UTA – Satellite
140 W. Mitchell Street
Room B-100E
Arlington, TX 76010
817-515-2603
Fort Worth SCORE Mentors
The Fort Worth Chapter of SCORE is comprised of volunteer counselors with experience in Finance, Marketing, Accounting, Engineering, Social Media, Human Resources and more. Business Owners find great value in counseling sessions with experienced businessmen and women within the SCORE Chapter. These experienced professionals can provide invaluable insights to assisting you to either start your business dreams or engaging in discussions to help you grow your existing business.
All counseling sessions are free of charge. Depending on your stage of business development or needs, SCORE’s objective is to align you with the best talent to meet your business needs. Additionally, SCORE counselors are certified to helping you find the right resources to navigating the maze of business development.
Contact Information:
Arlington Satellite Office
PinnStation
201 E. Abram St.
Arlington, TX 76010
817-871-6002
www.fortworthscore.org
Find Workforce
Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County
Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County is one of 28 local Workforce Boards in Texas. Their main goal is to meet the needs of employers and job seekers through locally designed, market-driven Workforce Development initiatives and services including:
- Recruiting Assistance and Placement which includes interview space at one of six available Workforce Centers in Tarrant County
- Labor Market Information such as wage information, job descriptions, labor pool availability and local business trends free for businesses
- Outplacement Services for companies who are restructuring, downsizing or closing
- Job Fairs and Hiring Events that provide one-on-one hiring events for employers
- WorkInTexas.Com provides job posting and advanced job matching online to help businesses find the best candidate to join their team. An easy-to-use online job search resource available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal income tax benefit administered by the U.S. Department of Labor for private, for-profit businesses who hire from specific targeted populations. The benefits could provide you direct federal tax savings to your business ranging from $1,200 to $9,000 per qualified employee.
Contact Information:
Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County
1320 S. University Drive, Suite 600
Ft. Worth, Texas 76107
817-413-4000
www.workforcesolutions.net
Grants for Workforce Training
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Skills Development Grant for Small Business
- Emphasizes training newly hired employees, those who have been hired by the business up to twelve months prior to the date that TWC receives an application.
- The program pays up to $1,800 for each new employee being trained and $900 for existing employees per 12-month period.
- Funding for training is for full-time employees.
- All training must be provided by a public community or technical college
- Training must be selected from active course catalogs/schedules credit, continuing education, online or other available unpublished courses.
- Employers must pay the prevailing wages in the local labor market for the trainees funded under the grant.
Contact Information:
Texas Workforce Commission
TWC Workforce Business Services Outreach & Customer Support Team
877-463-1777
www.twc.state.tx.us
Email: [email protected]
Doing Business with the City
Purchasing Division
The Purchasing Division is responsible for the purchase of non-construction goods and services for all City departments. The City of Arlington invites suppliers to visit the Frequently Asked Questions/FAQ’s to learn more about doing business with the City. Find out what types of services and supplies we contract by visiting the link Goods & Service contracts.
Contact Information:
Purchasing Division
City of Arlington
101 W. Abram
Arlington, TX 76004
817-459-6300
City of Arlington Business Permits - Home Based Businesses
The City of Arlington welcomes home-based entrepreneurs. Certain types of business activities are allowed in residential occupancies if they are registered with the Building Inspections Division of Community Development and Planning Services. For a list of requirements and application, please see the list of requirements for home-based businesses.
Food Inspection Program
Inspections of food facilities include full-service restaurants, fast food, grocery stores, convenience stores, and temporary events. These inspections are done routinely and on a complaint, basis to ensure compliance with the City food ordinance. Seasonal inspections include The Ballpark, Six Flags, and Hurricane Harbor. We also inspect mobile vendors such as hot trucks, ice cream trucks and push carts by appointment only. For more information, visit the food inspection program webpage.
For general planning, zoning, and building code questions:
To schedule an inspection:
Urban Design Center
The Arlington Urban Design Center aims to create public awareness about the importance of urban design and its impact on the quality of life, environment, and economic investment. Graduate students and professors from UTA’s College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs (CAPPA) work closely with City staff on business and neighborhood development projects in Arlington. Students “learn by doing” as they work with City planning staff and benefit from the opportunity of working on real-world projects. The Design Center seeks to provide urban design solutions and innovative ideas, and present before and after images, at no cost to the general public.
Projects include:
- Business Facade Improvements
- Development of Neighborhood Plans
- Design Concepts for Civic Spaces and Buildings
- Infill/Redevelopment Designs
- Landscape Plans
- Streetscape Designs
Contact Information:
City Hall
101 W. Abram Street,
Arlington, TX 76010
817-459-6678
Assumed Names/DBA
An Assumed Name / DBA (Doing Business as) should be filed with the County Clerk’s Office in which business is to be conducted. Incorporated and unincorporated assumed name certificate forms can be completed in person, online or submitted by mail if notarized.
Tarrant County Clerk, Assumed Names
200 Taylor Street, Suite 301
Fort Worth, Texas 76196
817-884-1550
www.tarrantcounty.com
Arlington Public Library
The Arlington Public Library supports local entrepreneurs as they learn and grow with free networking events, workshops and digital resources.The Small Business Network is the Library’s networking series for local entrepreneurs. Each month, small business owners enjoy a free workshop in a different Arlington location. Local experts present on topics such as free computer classes, marketing, customer service and building operations.
ArlingtonPublicLibrary.org
817-459-6900
Networking Business Organizations
Epic Mavs Startup Lounge by TechFW
The Startup Lounge is a collision space for entrepreneurs on and off UTA campus and provide entrepreneurial resources including seminar series and working/meeting spaces.
UTA Campus Center
[email protected]
817-272-1536
www.epicmavs.com
Arlington Chamber of Commerce
505 E. Border Street
Arlington, Texas 76010
Phone: 817-275-2613
www.arlingtontx.com
Arlington Black Chamber
P.O. Box 2614
Arlington, TX 76004
817-542-1541
http://arlingtonblackchamber.webs.com/
U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber
711 E. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 103A
Arlington, TX 76011
682-323-5869
http://uspaacc-sw.org/