New Ventures Find Fertile Ground in Knox County

If you are looking for a step-by-step checklist on how to start a business, the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has a great online guide that lists out the main steps in starting a business. 

KCAP partners with the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Western Illinois University to assist Knox County area startups with business planning assistance. Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) are federally-funded help centers located across the United States. They provide zero-cost individual advisement to startups and small businesses and can assist you in the process of taking your idea and turning it into a viable business plan. Call Andrew Kerr at 309-298-3040 or email Andrew at RA-Kerr@WIU.edu. Visit the SBDC’s website at www.wiusbdc.org to make an appointment.

Harvard Innovation Labs – “Startup Secrets: Roadmap to Success”

This video breaks down the roadmap to creating value through a new business enterprise.  The lecture talks about the stages of a startup business, including seeking funding, decreasing risk and increasing value of an enterprise. 

Wharton School – “Business Plan Writing 101: Wharton Entrepreneurship Series”

This video tackles the basic elements of writing a business plan and uses case examples from businesses to illustrate each step.

SCORE is a nonprofit advisory organization that helps startups plan and launch businesses.  While there is no SCORE chapter here in the Galesburg/Knox County Area, the national SCORE website has a number of high-quality template documents available for writing a business plan and creating the initial set of financial documents needed to seek a bank loan.  Click here to go to the SCORE template gallery, where these documents can be downloaded for free. 

There are many scams and shady pay services that claim to help entrepreneurs start a business.  With few exceptions, you should not need to pay anyone for help in starting your business.  There are legitimate nonprofit and government sources of assistance available at zero cost.  We encourage entrepreneurs to beware of the following:

• Websites that promise you a grant or funding and then charge you money upfront
• Training courses from TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube or other influencers that require payment
• Services that will write your business plan for a fee
• Services that charge a fee in order to certify you as a minority or woman-owned business. These certifications are rarely worth the cost/effort unless your business is planning to derive revenue from government contracting.  

If you are considering paying for a service related to starting a business, KCAP’s team will gladly research and verify the entity’s legitimacy for you.  Contact Ken at ken@knoxpartnership.com for assistance. 

Before a final location is selected for a business, it’s important to verify the zoning classification of the property and determine if the intended use is appropriate in that zoning district. Site plan review is required for new construction or additions and changes in the use of existing buildings or parking lots. Approval may also be required by the Planning and Zoning Commission for changes in use or special uses of the property. If the property is located within the local Historic District or a local landmark, approval by the Landmark Commission may be required. Contact the City of Galesburg Planning Division at (309) 345-3619 to verify and discuss zoning requirements.

For help at this stage, reach out to Ken Springer or Abby Colvin at (309) 343-1194. 

If the establishment of the business will require new construction or renovations to an existing building, construction permits may be required. Please review the information on the Inspections portion of the City of Galesburg website, as well as review the FAQ for permit requirements. We suggest contacting the City of Galesburg Inspection Division at (309) 345-3619 to discuss plans with the inspectors before beginning construction to determine if permits are required.

During and upon completion of construction or renovation work, call the City of Galesburg Inspections Division at (309) 345-3619 and the Fire Marshall at (309) 345-3757 for required inspections. The City requires a final inspection of any new building, addition, or major remodel before occupancy and issues a Certificate of Occupancy after completion and meeting all legal requirements. Contact the Inspections Division at (309) 345-3619 for more information.

Check with the appropriate utility companies for utility services for your business.

• Gas/Electric – Ameren can be contacted at (800) 232,2477
• Water – City of Galesburg. Contact the City of Galesburg Finance Department at (309) 345-3663 regarding opening new accounts.
• Refuse – Waste Management can be contacted at (309) 343-0256.
• Wastewater Treatment – Galesburg Sanitary District. A permit is required from the Galesburg Sanitary District, and they can be contacted at (309) 342-0131. Any business using hazardous materials should contact the Galesburg Sanitary District to discuss their plans.

A permit is required to install, erect, repair, alter, relocate, demolish, or dismantle a sign in the City of Galesburg. Review the Sign Regulations Guide and contact the Planning Division at (309) 345-3619 to discuss allowable signs and obtain the appropriate sign permit application.

In accordance with the Knox County Food Safety Ordinance, restaurants and retail food services are subject to licensing, certification for food service sanitation managers, routine inspections, and facility plan reviews. Contact the Knox County Health Department for more information at (309) 344-2224. If a business includes the use of a sidewalk café on any portion of a city sidewalk, an annual permit application must be submitted to the City of Galesburg. Contact the Galesburg City Clerk’s Office at (309) 345-3610 for more information.

Businesses selling alcohol will need to obtain a City and State Liquor License. The City Liquor License will need to be approved prior to beginning the process of applying for a State Liquor License. For information on applying for a City of Galesburg Liquor License, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (309) 345-3610.

The City of Galesburg levies additional taxes for the sale of motor fuel, prepared food and liquor, and hotel/motel charges. A business operating in any of these classifications should review the tax forms and information found on the Finance Department’s website and contact the City at (309) 345-3646 for more information.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity provides a Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Business in Illinois. Click here to guide.

Carl Sandburg College’s Department of Workforce Development & Community Education has partnered Ed2Go to offer non-credit online classes in business, computer applications, hospitality, fitness business management, and more. The Knox College office for career placement is also ready to welcome students into the workforce as well as be a tool for the community.