Our First Steps Program was designed to be a working partner for you. Let our experienced staff walk you through the development process of starting, growing, or relocating your business to the Fairborn community.

Available Assistance In:

• Property Assessment
• Building/Site Design
• Permitting
• Zoning & Code Requirements
• Project Scope Development
• Contractor Selection
• Construction Management
• And More…. !

We are fortunate to have an SBDC office right in our back yard at Wright State University.

The Ohio Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) provide a high-impact, front-line program designed to facilitate small business growth, job creation and access to capital. SBDC’s provide confidential one-to-one business advising at no cost, management training and education programs, and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners.

The SBDC can assist you in:                                             Small Business Development Center at Wright State University

• Business Plan Development                                       Center Director:  Donerik Black
• Financial Analysis                                                         Phone:  937.775.3487
• Bookkeeping

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The Fairborn Community Development Department

Residential and commercial permits, along with planning and zoning are managed within the Fairborn Community Development Department. Should you have specific questions concerning zoning requirements, fees, or status of permits please call (937) 754-3056.

Electrical Permit Building and Zoning Permit Change of Zoning Permit

The Fairborn Business Growth Program is designed to provide incentive in the form of direct payments on an annual basis to qualifying businesses that agree to create new full-time jobs, meet anticipated payroll income tax revenue levels and agree to maintain operations in Fairborn for a specified time period.

This program provides local and state incentives for commercial (non-retail) and industrial businesses that expand or locate in designated areas of Ohio.

The CRA program provides local real-property tax incentives for businesses that invest in designated areas in Ohio. In 2015 the City of Fairborn moved to a Post-94 CRA which encompasses the entire city as eligible for the CRA program.

Tax increment financing can be used to help finance development projects that require substantial public infrastructure improvements. Benefits include exemption from property taxes for new real property improvements and the redirection of the taxes to pay for public infrastructure improvements.

The Federal HUB Zone Program (Historically Underutilized Business Zones) allow small businesses in urban communities the opportunity to gain competitive access to federal set-aside contracts. The federal government has a goal of awarding 3% of dollars for federal prime and sub contracts to HUB Zone certified small businesses.

This tax credit is a refundable tax credit to companies generally creating at least 10 new jobs (within three years) with a minimum annual payroll of $660,000 that pay at least 150 percent of the federal minimum wage. The tax credit is measured as a percentage of the state income tax withholdings for all new employees hired under the program, and is applied toward the company’s commercial activity tax liability. Should the amount of the credit exceed the company’s commercial activity tax liability for any given year, the difference is refunded. A business must apply for the credit before committing to the project. Applicants must be approved through the Ohio Tax Credit Authority before hiring begins.

Provides a non-refundable tax credit up to seven percent for qualified research and development expenses. Qualifying expenses fit into two categories: in-house research expenses, and contracted research expenses. Any unused portion of a tax credit may be carried forward for up to seven years.

Provides revenue bond financing through an S&P rated fund, whereby proceeds from the sale of bonds are loaned to companies for fixed-rate, long-term capital asset financing. Rates are market-driven and fixed prior to funding. Loan terms range between 7 to 10 years for equipment and 15 to 20 years for real estate. Up to $10 million in financing is available through the program.

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Provides loan financing between $500,000 and $5 million for projects primarily engaging in research and development activity. Rates are fixed (at- or below-market rates) with other loan terms similar to those of commercial bank financing. Companies receive a dollar-for-dollar, non-refundable Ohio commercial activity tax credit for principal and interest payments made during the year up to $150,000 during the loan term.

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Provides loans for land and building acquisition, construction, expansion, or renovation, and equipment purchases for eligible businesses. The program provides low-interest loans up to 40 percent not to exceed $1.5 million.

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Provides loans for land and building acquisition, construction, expansion, or renovation, and equipment purchases for eligible businesses. Regional economic development agencies administer the program. It provides low-interest loans up to 75 percent collateral value, not to exceed $500,000.

Provides loans for acquisition, construction, and related capital costs of technology, facilities, and equipment purchases. The fund was created to assist existing Ohio companies in developing next-generation products and services within the state’s Industry Sectors up to 75 percent ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million.

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