The resources below will help with starting your business and getting it off the ground! This may include picking a business name, finding your client base, finding the best employee, marketing for your business, and so much more!

Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
The Illinois DCEO has a wealth of resources to help you start or grow your business. This includes Startup Resources, Small Business Resources, Licenses & Registrations, Taxes, Census and Market Data, Community Profiles, Sources for Financing, Workforce Development, Incentive Programs, and more.
Find this information at illinois.gov Contact Lauren Gibson, North Central Regional Economic Development Manager via email lauren.gibson@illinois.gov

Small Business Administration (SBA)
The United States Small Business Administration offers outstanding online education through its SBA Learning Center. This portal features an entire library of free online courses to assist businesses of all sizes. sba.gov

Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council (BN EDC)
The BN ECD grows the local economy by assisting with local business expansion, recruiting new businesses and companies to the area, and encouraging the next wave of entrepreneurs to establish their business here. Contact the BN EDC before you start or expand your business to find out more on how they can assist you. www.bnbiz.org (309) 452-8437

Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of McLean County at IWU The SBDC of McLean County provides no-cost business counseling, educational events, and business research and planning and more!
Contact the SBDC today by calling (309) 556-3784 or via email at sbdc@iwu.edu

McLean County Chamber of Commerce This membership based organization serves over 900 businesses and organizations within the surrounding communities. Membership benefits include educational opportunities for marketing, professional development, advocacy, healthcare solutions, and much more. Small group ‘solo’preneaur sessions are also available.
Contact the Chamber today by calling (309) 829-3940 or via email at chamber@mcleancochamber.org

Knowing where to register your business for all of the taxing bodies can be a daunting task. Let us help!
Below you will find a list of State and Local tax obligations as well as local licensing considerations.

City of Bloomington Taxes
bloomingtonil.gov
Food & Beverage
Short Term Rentals
Hotel/Motel
Packaged Liquor
Amusement
Local Motor Fuel
Sales Tax

City of Bloomington Licensing
Contact the City Clerk’s office to determine if you need additional permits or licenses such as liquor or gaming licenses.
City Clerk Department: (309) 434 - 2509 ext. 6 or via email cityclerk@cityblm.org

State of Illinois & Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Taxes paid to the State of Illinois and the IRS vary based on business type.
For a complete list of taxes owed to the State of Illinois and the IRS visit the links below. iIllinois.gov
IRS.gov 

The Economic Development Department has produced this incentive guide for current and prospective businesses and developers interested in doing business within the City of Bloomington. From the BN EDC, to the State of Illinois and beyond, numerous programs are available!
Programs managed by the City of Bloomington Economic & Community Development Department:
Tax Increment Financing
Property Tax Abatement
Sales Tax Rebates
Harriet Fuller Rust Facade Grant Program
Contact econdev@cityblm.org to learn more about these programs.

Program managed by the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council:
Enterprise Zone - Properties / projects located in the local Enterprise Zone can enjoy three key benefits: Building materials sales tax exemption, Enterprise Zone investment tax credit, and exemption on the Illinois Natural Gas Tax. Program details can be found at bnbiz.org

Programs managed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity:
Advantage Illinois
Economic Development for a Growing Economy Tax Credit Program (EDGE)
Illinois Small Business Jobs Creation Tax Credit
More Program details can be found at dceo.illinois.gov

Economic Development (309) 434- 2295

Building Safety  (309) 434 - 2226

Operations & Engineering Services  (309) 434 - 2225

Planning & Zoning  (309) 434 - 2226

Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District (309) 827 - 4396