Do you dream of starting a business in a picture-perfect small town where you know the shopowners by name? Where there are more events, festivals, and outings than your calendar can hold? Consider Thomasville, Georgia, which offers a blend of Southern charm, community support, and modern amenities that can make your entrepreneurial journey a rewarding one.

Community

The town provides a variety of resources to support economic growth, and while historically, it has focused on larger, more manufacturing operations, is becoming a champion of the smaller business as well. This is most likely because many of the leaders in the city are owners of their own businesses, launched right here in the fertile soil of south Georgia. The Thomasville and Thomas County Chamber of Commerce offers guidance and resources that are valuable for startups and businesses looking to grow here in Thomasville.

Broadband

The city is served by several internet providers, ensuring reliable connectivity for businesses. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is the top-customer-ranked internet service provider in Thomasville, offering a maximum download speed ranging from 33 to 245 Mbps. As we know, this is always changing, and the presence of Earthlink and ATT Fiber offering coverage in large parts of the town – is a promising sign for speedier things in the future. Location is the bottom line, so check out this link for more information.

Continuing Education

Florida State University is less than an hour away from Thomasville and provides opportunities for continuing education and recruiting new talent. FSU launched one of the first Colleges of Entrepreneurship in 2017, and it is getting tremendous traction with those looking to control their own destiny. Students can get a Masters of Entrepreneurship at this Florida university, along with endless other studies and degrees.

Some of the Boring Stuff

The nitty gritty - starting a business in Thomasville also requires obtaining an Occupation Tax, also known as a Business License. The tax is based on the classification of business and estimated annual gross receipts. The occupation tax you'll need to pay depends on the type of business you're operating. Retail or service type businesses pay based on the classification of business and estimated annual gross receipts. Industrial or manufacturing businesses pay based on the number of employees. Professionals pay $400 per year, or they may elect to pay based on annual gross receipts. Once the occupation tax return is completed and returned, the tax will be calculated, and a statement will be mailed with payment due within 30 days. This process can be completed in person, if preferred, at the City of Thomasville Administration Building

Once you have decided where you would like to land, the Planning Department must check the zoning of the property to ensure the type of business can be operated at the location you have chosen. A certificate of occupancy inspection, if required, will be scheduled by the City of Thomasville Building Inspector. You may contact the Planning Department at (229) 227-6982 or visit the office located at 415 West Jackson Street

Don’t forget to take care of the essential but significantly boring elements of launching your dream – so you can hit the ground running and find your niche here in this small town.

Learn more about Thomasville