Governor Tim Kaine announced that “Phase Two” of the Business One Stop online system will occur in December. He made that announcement locally earlier this week at a press conference with small business owners at the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce offices.
Launched in May 2008, Virginia’s online business formation portal or “Business One Stop,” was designed to assist in the formation of new businesses in the Commonwealth. It was also meant to streamline the business formation process by automatically finding and filing the necessary forms.
Stephen Roberson remarked that he “walked through the entire process to start a limited liability company in Virginia” and that his company, Paint & Bristle, LLC, is “growing and doing well in this economy.” Utilizing Business One Stop, he “was able to devote [more] time to marketing” his business.
According to data supplied by the state, more than 15,000 entrepreneurs have utilized the online tool to aid their business operations and create jobs. Of those who have utilized the Business One Stop website, 57 percent have completed the forms. “This online tool and the efforts of the Department of Business Assistance allows businesses to take care of business, rather than spend days visiting different offices to fill out paperwork,” said Kaine.
“At a time when people are concerned about the economy, small businesses continue to grow and generate more than half of the jobs here and in the New River Valley and by helping small businesses grow, we’re helping the economy grow,” said Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Joyce Waugh.
The portal is not designed for businesses created outside of Virginia, seeking to initiate new operations within the Commonwealth, nor is it for nonprofit organizations and charities. (Those businesses can contact the Virginia Business Information Center at [email protected] or by calling (866) 248-8814)
Phase Two’s “Business Wizard” is similar to a program that students use to help them choose and pursue a new career, enroll in one of Virginia’s community colleges, pay for college, or transfer to a four-year college or university. Business Wizard is based partially on feedback from entrepreneurs who utilized Business One Stop and will further simplify and accelerate the process of business formation in Virginia. “It will move us to completing the process with a Turbo Tax type of set-up,” Kaine added.
The Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA) works with new and existing businesses to provide workforce incentives, loans, business information, one-on-one counseling for entrepreneurs getting started or with specific concerns, and educational opportunities. “Virginia Information Center recognized that people wanted to do more on-line,” said Virginia Department of Business Assistance Communications Manager, Will Vehrs.
This summer, Virginia was cited by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top five states to start a business; recognized as “Best State for Business” and as a nationwide model for the fourth consecutive year by Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc. (a top U.S. corporate site relocation expert); and named the number one state for business by the financial-news channel CNBC.
Most recently, Forbes recognized Virginia for the fourth consecutive year as “Best State for Business.” Business costs, economic climate, growth prospects, labor, quality of life and regulatory environment were the six categories examined in the ranking process. Virginia was the only state to place in the top ten of each category. None of the other states placed in the top ten in more than three categories.
“We know we’ve won accolades, but we won’t keep them standing still,” said Kaine. As to economic development, “you’re only as good as your planning for tomorrow is. We can’t stand still and rest on our laurels.”
Business Wizard should go live in less than two weeks, according to Governor Kaine.
By Susan Ayers [email protected]
