Start It Right: Legal, Zoning, & Compliance Basics for Brick and Mortar Businesses in Evansville

Description

Launching a physical business in Evansville is exciting, but missteps with zoning, permits, or compliance can delay your opening and cost you money. This workshop will provide new and growing brick-and-mortar businesses a clear, Evansville-specific roadmap to avoid common pitfalls and move forward confidently.

In this workshop, we'll cover:

• Choosing a Business Structure - Guidance on sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, S corps, and C corps
• Zoning and Permitting - How the Area Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals work, zoning basics, sign permits, timelines, and when you need an Improvement Location Permit (ILP) to begin work
• Building Commission & Code Compliance - Required inspections, fire safety requirements, steps to a Certificate of Occupancy, and additional requirements for restaurants, salons, and manufacturers
• Utilities: Evansville Water & Sewer Utility (EWSU) - When to coordinate, what applications are needed, and why early communication matters
• Employment & HR Essentials - Employee vs. contractor rules, payroll basics, taxes, and when to create handbooks or policies
• Intellectual Property Basics - Trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and when small businesses should seek legal advice
• Local & State Incentives - A high-level overview of tax abatements and incentives worth exploring

You’ll also learn how SBDC resources fit into the process so you can start your Evansville business legally, efficiently, and sustainably.

Upon registration, you’ll receive a link to the digital workbook: “Starting a Business in Evansville.” A printed copy of this booklet as well as other handouts will be provided during class.

After the workshop, participants are invited to schedule 1:1, no-cost advising with an SBDC Business Advisor for help refining their business concept or preparing to apply for funding.

This event is being held in-person on the 4th floor of Innovation Pointe, 318 Main St, Evansville.

Presenter

This class is presented by Josh Claybourn, Attorney at Jackson Kelly, PLLC.

Sponsor:

Fifth Third Bank is a sponsor of the Southwest Indiana SBDC and makes programming like this possible.

REGISTER HERE

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.