BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU • For inquiries into companies and charities in the local area, assistance with disputes, product safety or other information, contact the Better Business Bureau at 531-1300 or visit www.hamptonroadsbbb.org.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE • The Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NNRHA) helps to establish new businesses and helps existing businesses expand. These activities create new jobs, ensure jobs will be retained, and returns taxes to the City. For more information visit the NNRHA at 227 27th Street or call 928-2620.

BUSINESS FINANCING • A number of financial assistance programs designed to attract new businesses and encourage the expansion of existing businesses are available. For information, visit the Department of Development located on the 3rd floor of City Hall, online at www.nngov.com/development or call 926-8428.

BUSINESS LOANS • Newport News businesses that are expanding, creating new jobs and making new capital investments may be eligible for a low-interest loan to close a financing gap if other sources of financing are also available to the company. For more information visit the Department of Development, 3rd floor, City Hall, or online at www.nngov.com/development or call 926-8428.

BUSINESS OPENING
— CERTIFICATE OF USE & OCCUPANCY • A Certificate of Use & Occupancy is required for all buildings that are to be occupied and any land that is to be used for business purposes. The Department of Codes Compliance inspects the use of land and buildings to ensure compliance with various regulations that have been enacted to protect the public. For information, visit the Department of Codes Compliance located on the 3rd floor of City Hall, online at www.nngov.com/codes-compliance or call 926-8861.

— HOME OCCUPATION CERTIFICATE • Some home-based businesses are permitted in residential homes with an approved Certificate of Use & Occupancy. For information, visit the Department of Codes Compliance located on the 3rd floor of City Hall, online at www.nngov.com/codes-compliance or call 926-8861.

— HOW TO START A BUSINESS • The Department of Development, in conjunction with other agencies, offers general business start-up information and counseling. For information, visit the Department of Development located on the 3rd floor of City Hall, online at www.nngov.com/development or call 926-8428.

— LICENSE • For information, call the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at 926-8651 or 886-7671 or visit www.nngov.com/commissioner-of-the-revenue.

— TRADE NAMES • Trade names are required for persons or corporations conducting business in a name other than their own. They can be researched in the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office located at 2500 Washington Avenue, 1st floor. Trade names can be registered with either the Clerk of the Newport News Circuit Court, 926-8561, or the Commissioner of the Revenue. For information, call 926-8651.

BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX • Newport News levies a tax on personal property such as furniture, fixtures, machinery and tools, which are used in a trade or business located in Newport News each January 1. Returns are filed with the Commissioner of the Revenue on or before March 1 of each year and payment is due June 5 and December 5. An itemized list including date of purchase and original cost must accompany all returns. For information, call the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office located in the City Hall Annex at 926-8644 or visit www.nngov.com/commissioner-of-the-revenue.

BUSINESS, PROFESSIONAL & OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE TAX/FEE • A tax or a fee, based on gross receipts, is assessed to licensable businesses. Businesses must file an application with the Commissioner of the Revenue and pay the license tax by March 1 of each year. A business license is required for many businesses, including home-based businesses. For information, visit the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office located in the City Hall Annex or call 926-8651; or the Denbigh location at 12912 Jefferson Avenue or call 886-7671.

BUSINESS RECYCLING • The Commercial Recycling Office of the Department of Public Works has information and resources for any business wanting to start or expand a recycling and waste prevention program. This office also helps businesses comply with Annual Recycling Activity Reporting requirements. The report, due February 1 each year, is mandatory for businesses utilizing trash containers of a 6 cubic yard capacity or larger. For information call 269-2850 or visit www.nngov.com/public-works.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce (VPCC) represents member businesses for growth and enhancement of the economic climate. The VPCC also provides relocation information. For more information, write to the VPCC at 21 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 100, Hampton, VA 23666, call 262-2000, or visit www.vpcc.org. For maps, events and attraction information in the local and state area, stop by the Newport News Visitor Information Center located at 13560 Jefferson Avenue or call 886-7777 or 1-888-4WE-R-FUN (toll free).

CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE • To obtain a Contractor License, visit the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office located in the City Hall Annex or call 926-8651.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA/IDA) • The EDA/IDA encourages economic development with expansion of existing businesses and attracting new industrial, office and technology-based enterprises to Newport News. For information, call the Department of Development at 926-8428 or visit www.newportnewsva.com.

ENTERPRISE ZONES • Three Virginia Enterprise Zones include four geographic areas of the City: the northern end from Oakland Industrial Park to Endview; land surrounding the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport; the Mid-City commercial corridor from 39th Street to Harpersville Road; and the Downtown and portions of the Southeast Community. This special program offers state income tax credits and job creation grants, local business license and utility tax refunds, and other incentives for businesses expanding or locating within a zone. For more information, visit the Department of Development on the 3rd floor of City Hall , online at www.nngov.com/development or call 926-8428.

FLEA MARKET • For information on permanent flea market businesses, visit the Office of the Commissioner of Revenue located in the City Hall Annex or call 926-8651. For temporary or one-day flea market permits, call the Police Department at 928-4100.

HOME DAY CARE • Home day care facilities are regulated by the Department of Codes Compliance. These facilities may keep up to five children under the age of 12 years old who are not related to the business owner/operator. Other regulations may also be applicable. For information, visit the Department of Codes Compliance on the 3rd floor of City Hall or call 926-8861.

HUBZONE • Businesses located in certain parts of the Southeast Community may receive preference when bidding to sell to or contract with the federal government. For more information, visit the Department of Development on the 3rd floor of City Hall, online at www.nngov.com/development or call 926-8428.

INDUSTRIAL/BUSINESS PARKS • There are 13 industrial and business parks in Newport News. For information, call the Department of Development at 926-8428 or visit www.nngov.com/development.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION • The Small Business Administration guarantees loans for small businesses. For information on starting a business, financing, counseling, training, publications, minority small businesses, veteran affairs, women’s business ownership, international trade, government contracts or other topic, call toll free 1-800-827-5722 or visit www.sba.gov.

SMALL/MINORITY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES • The City’s Small & Minority Business Opportunities Program aids small, minority-owned and women-owned businesses in obtaining purchase and construction contracts with the City. A minority vendor list is available upon request and can be downloaded from Purchasing’s web-site: www.nngov.com/purchasing. For more information, call the Purchasing Department at 926-8721.

STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION • The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has regulatory authority over utilities, insurance, state-chartered financial institutions, securities, retail franchising, the Virginia Pilot’s Association and railroads. It is the state’s central filing office for corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies and Uniform Commercial Code liens. For corporate information, call 1-800-552-7945. Also visit the SCC on the Internet at www.scc.virginia.gov.