Small Business Guide

Basic Small Business Starting Guides from Government Agencies

IRS Small Business and Self Employment Tax Center       

The IRS website has a section just for small businesses including information on starting, operating, and closing a business, employment taxes, forms, and more. Information is presented in text, webinars, videos, and interactive formats.

ORIA Small Business Guide – Washington State

This online guide helps you plan, start, open, run, and grow your business. It explains federal, state and local taxes, employment laws, and licensing and regulatory requirements. There are active links through-out the guide to agencies that can help you with each step or process.

SBA Small Business Resource Guide

U.S. Small Business Administration’s guide to starting a business. Includes information on programs available at the federal and state levels. Includes resources for veterans.

Toll free Hotlines

ORIA Information Center

1-800-917-0043
Washington State Governor’s Office for Regulatory Assistance maintains a hotline for questions about local, state, and federal permits and regulatory requirements for small business owners.

Small Business Administration Answer Desk

1-800-827-5722
A national toll-free telephone service providing information on small business problems and concerns as well as information about SBA programs.

The Washington State Department of Revenue Telephone Information Center

1-800-647-7706
The Washington State Department of Revenue provides tax
information and consultation for prospective and established
businesses. In addition, live chat is available during selected times.
Go to dor.wa.gov, click ‘Contact’, then click the ‘Live Chat’ icon.

Bellingham Resources

Public Library Resources

There are online databases available through your public library.  You can access these resources on any public computer at any library branch. If you have a library card, you have remote access to these resources.

Databases that offer business related content include:

• Gale Business Collections
• Reference Solutions
• Weiss Financial Ratings

If you have a Bellingham Public Library card (library card number starts with 236), go to: https://www.bellinghampubliclibrary.org/

Click on ‘Digital Library’, and then ‘Research Tools’ and then either ‘Research Tools A to Z’ or ‘Business and Finance’.

If you have a Whatcom County Library card (library card number starts with 232), go to: https://www.wcls.org/

Click ‘Books & More’ and then ‘ALL Digital Content’.

Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Development Center offers connections to Certified Business Advisors. They offer confidential, no cost assistance in: developing and updating business plans, conducting specialized market research, using social media, website review, strategic planning, financial analysis, business management, and commercial and SBA loans. Check the website for instructions on how to prepare for an appointment.

SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business

SCORE is sponsored by the Small Business Administration and offers free business counseling, mentoring, and training. Call to schedule an appointment. The website has links to helpful resources like business and financial plan templates, best practice articles, and online workshops for all aspects of running a small business.

Western Washington University Libraries

Go to https://libguides.wwu.edu/business to get to a list of resources and tips for business research. These guides include access to selected databases for business and industry research, and marketing and consumer behavior. These databases are free to anyone in the physical libraries on campus. Only students and faculty have remote access.

Port of Bellingham/Choose Whatcom

The Economic Development Program of the Port of Bellingham works to attract and retain jobs and private investment in Whatcom County. Choose Whatcom is cofounded by the Port, The City of Bellingham, and Whatcom County. This website provides active links to local agencies and resources that help small businesses. It also provides access to community information for Whatcom County. This includes :

• quality of life
• demographics
• industries
• education
• work force
• labor
• taxes
• funding
• infrastructure

To find the profile, go to the Port website, click ‘Economic Development’ and then ‘Community Information.’

The website also includes a local business directory, and a link to the Whatcom Prospector. The Whatcom Prospector allows you to look up available properties, populated by area commercial brokers. You can also define market areas in Whatcom County, to find specific demographic and economic information and business profiles.

Whatcom Community College – Community and Continuing Education

This WCC program provides education and training for owners and employees of small businesses. Topics may include marketing, startup, use of social media, or leadership skills.

WorkSource

WorkSource has a Whatcom County office located in Bellingham. They also have:
Washington Employer Help Line (taxes) 888-836-1900  

Employment Security Department

The Employment Security Department partners with WorkSource Business Services to provide tools and resources to employers, free of charge. WorkSource business representatives can connect you with programs and services that are right for your business. Services include recruiting and screening employees, on-the-job training, apprenticeship programs, and various tax and cost incentive programs. The ‘Unemployment Taxes’ section provides instructions on how to file quarterly wage reports and pay employer taxes online.

Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber is a leading advocate for businesses in this region. It also offers its members monthly networking and educational events. The Chamber sponsors popular community events, maintains a community calendar, business directory, and local news affecting businesses. Member benefits include advertising opportunities, discounts, promotions, sponsorship opportunities, and health insurance.

Downtown Bellingham Partnership

Downtown Bellingham Partnership is a nonprofit organization. It promoties commerce, culture, and celebration as a way to build the health and vitality of the community. The partnership acts as downtown’s official neighborhood association. They also sponsor major events downtown such as ‘Downtown Sounds’ and ‘Art Walks’.

Sustainable Connections

A non-profit network of local, independently owned Whatcom County businesses and supporters that facilitates sustainable economic development by providing education, connections, and market development. They offer a wide variety of programs. The website has videos of events, links to local resources, and access to variety of newsletters.

TAGNW – Technology Alliance Group for Northwest
Washington

The Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington is a regional trade association that supports the technology industry. They offer monthly meetings, education, and networking opportunities. TAG advocates for local policies and laws that strengthen and support high tech companies, as well as supports improved broadband infrastructure. The website provides access to a community calendar of technology-related events, a forum for tech community groups, and a business member directory. TAG is affiliated with the Washington Technology Industry Association.

NW Innovation Resource Center (NWIRC)

NWIRC helps entrepreneurs and inventors in northwest Washington develop their business strategy by finding the right tools and community resources needed to bring their ideas to life. Their focus is on supporting pre-startup and early stage startup businesses with highly innovative ideas. The ‘Just-in-Time Mentorship’ program allows entrepreneurs and inventors to focus on their specialties while benefiting from the business experience of their mentors. The website has additional resources for entrepreneurs, including the ‘Build-IT’ or ‘Enterprise’ programs. NWIRC also offers events throughout the year.

Whatcom Resources

Chambers of Commerce in Whatcom County

A chamber of commerce supports local business owners by providing neworking and marketing opportunities as well as advocating for local business interests.

Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce

Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center

Blaine Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center

Everson-Nooksack Chamber of Commerce

Ferndale Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center

Lynden Chamber of Commerce

Mount Baker Chamber

Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau

Sumas Chamber of Commerce

City Halls

The incorporated cities in Whatcom County may have forms and fees for small businesses, as well as assistance and information on licenses, zoning, and permits. 

Bellingham
Blaine
Everson
Ferndale
Lynden
Nooksack
Sumas

Washington Resources

Most businesses are required to be licensed at both the state and local levels. Some businesses require additional permits. You can fulfill many registration and licensing requirements by completing a Business License Application and make a single payment of fees. When you complete your Application, you will be issued a Unified Business Identifier (UBI). The UBI is a unique nine-digit number that you use when dealing with different state agencies.

Online Business Licensing – Washington State Department of Revenue

Go to https://dor.wa.gov/about/my-dor-help/business-licensing to complete the Business License Application online. You will first need to create a Secure Access Washington (SAW) user id. Short video tutorials on this website explain the process.

The Business Licensing Service offers a one-stop service that takes care of your basic state registration and licensing requirements. When you file your Washington Business License Application, you establish an account with multiple applicable Washington state agencies. Sign up online for a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account to get a user ID and password. This gives you access to Licensing services. Use the interactive Business Licensing Wizard to create a customized guide sheet that contains a linked list of agencies to contact (state, local, and federal) and copies of forms to complete based on your answers on type of business, location of business, ownership type, and employees. You can also renew your business license, register any changes to your business, or get your Bellingham City business license through this website.

If your business is a:

• limited partnership
• limited liability partnership
• corporation
• limited liability company

you must first register with the Secretary of State. For more information, go to consult the Corporations Division: https://www.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities or directly to the Corporations and Charities Filing System at https://ccfs.sos.wa.gov/#/

National Resources

IRS Small Business

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed The IRS provides a wealth of tools and education resources for small business owners. Beside forms and publications, the IRS offers videos, webinars and newsletters.

National Federation of Independent Business

A nonprofit, nonpartisan, member-driven organization that advocates on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners—both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals.

Practical Ecommerce

This site aims to educate small businesses involved in ecommerce through articles, online seminars, and commentary. Articles include links to tools.

Small Business Administration

The national SBA website is a great place to start for small business owners. Education is offered through tutorials, videos, and articles. Tools such as loan calculators, templates and interactive guides are offered. Many links to a variety of other government resources also provided.

Small Business Development Center National Information Clearinghouse 

The national SBDC website offers education opportunities through webinars and articles. They also provide a whole range of links to other resources, both government and private.

Small Business Trends

This online publication focuses on breaking news for small businesses from a wide variety of contributors. It also offers education and tools through diverse templates and checklists.

Local and Regional Statistics

Port of Bellingham

Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce

Washington State Office of Financial Management—Whatcom County   

A gateway site for government produced (state and federal) statistics on Whatcom County including general data, population, housing, economy, finance, criminal justice and human services. Click ‘Whatcom County’

Employment Security Department

County level information on employment, wages, industry trends, occupational data, and regional reports, data, and tools. Includes a County Profile:

Click ‘Whatcom County Profile’

Census Business Builder

This research tool from the Census Bureau allows you to research a type of business, put in a geographic qualifier, and create a report. The report indicates how many businesses of that type exist in the geographic region, along with a variety of statistics on them, summarized demographics for the region, and aggregate statistics on consumer spending in the area. 

Center for Economic and Business Research—WWU College of Business and Economics

The Center posts results of its research and analysis which covers a variety of subjects.

Washington Regional Economic Analysis Project (REAP)
REAP offers interactive regional economic tools of analysis, so you can conduct your own research using comparative economic indicators.

Washington Economic and Revenue Forecast Council

The Council produces monthly and quarterly economic and revenue updates on the state level. They also produce the annual Economic Climate Study which examine the competitive environment of the state including costs of doing business.

Bureau of Economic Analysis – Regional Economic Accounts     

This federal agency reports on gross domestic product and personal income on a state and county level.

page last updated March 2026