Business Starter Kit
EDCEverything you need to start a business in Newport.
NEDC · Chamber · Communities Unlimited
Start Your Business in Newport, Arkansas
Free Step-by-Step Guide
Communities Unlimited, the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Newport Economic Development Commission have been working with a group of local volunteers to design the ultimate guide to helping you start your own business right here in Newport.
The Newport Business Starter Kit takes you step-by-step through the process of assessing, setting up, and eventually operating your business. Complete with local resources and contact numbers, this kit is the best tool you can use to build a solid plan for starting and marketing your business in Newport and Jackson County.
Free Download
Get the Complete Business Starter Kit
A Microsoft Word document covering every step from idea to opening day. Download once, keep forever, and use it as a working checklist for your new business.
DOCX·~110 KB·Microsoft Word
What's Inside the Kit
Six stages that take you from idea to opening day
Step-by-Step
6 stagesStep 01
Assessing Your Idea
Evaluate the market, validate demand, and determine whether Newport is the right fit for your business concept.
Step 02
Registration & Tax IDs
Register your entity with the Arkansas Secretary of State, obtain a federal EIN, and set up state and local tax accounts.
Step 03
Licensing & Zoning
Secure your Newport business license, confirm zoning compliance, and obtain any required permits before opening day.
Step 04
Financing & Incentives
Explore local incentive programs, ReNewport Grants, and financing sources available to Newport business owners.
Step 05
Opening & Operations
Set up utilities, hire staff, choose a point-of-sale system, and plan your grand opening in the Newport community.
Step 06
Marketing & Growth
Build a solid plan to market your business, engage the Newport community, and lay the groundwork for long-term growth.
Free Expert Help
Two federally-funded partners that cost nothing to use
Two free technical-assistance providers help Newport founders launch, grow, and win contracts. Both are federally funded and cost nothing to use.
Technical Assistance Partners
2 partnersASBTDC
Arkansas Small Business & Technology Development Center
Free one-on-one consulting for start-ups and existing businesses — business plans, financing, tax, marketing, and e-commerce. Satellite office at the Newport Business Resource Center on the 2nd and 4th Fridays each month.
APEX
Arkansas APEX Accelerator
Free help winning federal, state, and local government contracts. NE Arkansas office at 209 Hazel Street, Newport, AR. Open Monday–Friday, 8am–4:30pm.
Questions? We're Here to Help
Call the Chamber or NEDC for one-on-one guidance
Local Support
Related Resources
Next steps and related documents for Newport business owners
City
Business License
Purchase at the City of Newport Municipal Building.
NEDC
Incentives & Grants
Explore ReNewport Grants and local job-creation incentives.
Hub
All Documents & Forms
Browse the full library of Newport forms and documents.
Attribution
The Newport Business Starter Kit was authored collaboratively by Communities Unlimited, the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Newport Economic Development Commission, with input from a group of local volunteers.