Launch and grow your business
Launching, growing, and sustaining your business requires a team approach. Utilizing the resources available to small businesses can help ensure you fulfill your everyday needs and building operations to scale.
Register Your Business
There is no local business license required; however, businesses must be registered with the Louisville Metro Revenue Commission, Jefferson County Clerk's Office and Commonwealth of Kentucky. If you are a minority, woman, disabled, or a veteran, you also should apply for and obtain a Business Enterprise Certification from the Human Relations Commission.
In addition to helping businesses get started, grow and connect with other businesses, we also want to encourage local companies to do business with Louisville Metro. Register as a vendor, and register with the Purchasing office to receive notifications of bid opportunities.
Plan Your Growth
Louisville’s ecosystem of small business resources can assist you with expert advice and consultation for growing and sustaining your business. Inquire about resources and assistance for your small business.
Finance Your Business
Debt – a loan or line of credit that provides you a set amount of money that has to be repaid within a period of time. Most loans are secured by collateral assets, which means that the lender can take the assets away if you don’t pay. A loan can also be unsecured, with no specific asset securing the loan.
Equity – selling a part of your business, known as selling an equity stake. In this case, you don’t usually have to pay back the investment because the new owner of the equity gets all benefits, voting rights, and cash flow associated with that equity stake.
Learn more about financing opportunities
Find Your Location
The Department of Economic Development's small business team can assist you with identifying a location for your business and help you navigate the planning, review, and permitting processes. Learn more about locating your business.
View online maps and Louisville Metro’s GIS data.
If you are building, renovating or moving into a physical location, you may need to seek out permitting and licensing.
Workforce Development
Join a Business Association
We encourage small businesses to become members of local chambers and business associations, which provide peer-to-peer networking and business opportunities. Department staff provide liaison assistance to all business associations and can help connect your business.
A list of business associations and chambers
Take a workshop!
Louisville Metro and its resource providers offer a broad array of business training and education programs.
