Doing Business in Atlanta, Georgia

Quick Stats

City Population: 474,000
Metro Area Population: 5,138,223
Job Growth: 18.68%
Median Home Price: $250,913
Website: http://www.atlantaga.gov/

Nearly 1/5th of Georgia's population resides in Fulton County, home to Georgia's capital city of Atlanta, the ninth largest metropolitan area in the country. With a wonderful transportation system, the busiest commuter airport in the world, and a highly educated work force, Atlanta is a great location to start or relocate a business. In 2008, Forbes Magazine ranked Atlanta as the sixth best city for business and careers and in 2007, the fourth fastest growing in the nation. The quality of life in Atlanta makes it easy to attract and keep quality employees.

Starting a Business in Atlanta

There are a number of free and low-cost services that can help you get your business off the ground:

• Georgia Small Business Development Center
  Learn about free seminars and workshops covering business plan development, financing, and marketing strategies
• SCORE Atlanta
  Get info on free mentoring, business counseling, and low-cost workshops
• Starting a Business in Fulton County
  Research the licenses and permits you need to get your business up and running in Fulton County
• Georgia First Stop Business Information Center
  Find info and contacts on legal requirements for operating a small business in Georgia
• Georgia Statewide Minority Business Enterprise Center
  Get info on programs aimed at helping minority entreprenuers start, manage and grow their businesses
• Edge Connection Women's Business Center
  Find programs that aid micro-entrepreneurs and small business owners
• WEDA/Metropolitan Atlanta Women's Business Center
  Learn about training, business consulting, specialized workshops, SBA loan guarantee assistance, and mentoring programs

Financing Your Business

Loans and other types of financial assistance for businesses in Atlanta.

• Commercial Loans for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners
  Learn how to get a loan for your small business from the Atlanta Development Authority
• Atlanta U.S. Export Assistance Center
  Find financial assistance and advce for Geogria small business looking to sell their products overseas

For general information on small business loans and financial assistance visit the Financing Your Business page.

Obtaining Licenses and Permits

To legally operate a business in the city of Atlanta, you'll need to obtain all necessary business licenses, operating permits and registrations.

• City of Atlanta Business Licenses
  Get licenses necessary to legally run a business in the city of Atlanta
• Atlanta Building Permits
  Obtain necessary buiding and zoning permits needed for construction and business expansion projects
• Fulton County Business Licenses
  Learn about business occupational tax certificates you need to operate a business in Fulton County
• Georgia Business Licenses and Permits
  Get a comprehensive list of federal and state business licenses, permits and registrations needed to run a business in Georgia

Tax Credits and Incentives

Small business owners in Atlanta can take advantage of a few of tax credits.

• Small Business Credits, Incentives and Technical Assistance
  Find tax credit and incentive information for the city of Atlanta
• Business Expansion and Relocation Information
  Get answers to business expansion and relocation questions regarding credits and incentives
• Development Tax Credits and Incentives
  Learn about job and investment tax credit incentives available to Georgia businesses
• Work Opportnity Tax Credit (WOTC)
  Learn about tax credits available to Georgia employers

Additional Resources

• Georgia Business Services
  Get info on a variety of support services available to Georgia's small business communities
• Downtown Atlanta
  Learn about the benefits of starting and running a business in downtown Atlanta
• Entertainment Industry Resources
  Info for film, video and music businesses interested in producing their works in Georgia