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To help local entrepreneurs and investors navigate the red tape of starting a business in the city, the Downtown Natchez Alliance has created a simple step-by-step “How to Open a Business in Downtown Natchez” guide.

The online guide is available on DNA’s website under “Resources” at www.NatchezDNA.org. Although DNA’s focus is always on our downtown area, the guide applies to opening a business anywhere in the city limits.

It goes without saying that a successful downtown depends on successful businesses. For that reason, DNA is working to make Downtown Natchez as business-friendly as possible. This guide streamlines the start-up process, and it’s a good place to begin.

Here’s a quick summary of the kind of information included in the new guide.

Plan for Success: The guide lists resources to help you develop your business plan, including the Small Business Administration (SBA), Women’s Business Center at Alcorn State University, and Mississippi State University.

Financing: Funding is often a hurdle for any new business so make sure you check out the local financial institutions and mortgage companies listed in the guide. Several are situated right in Downtown Natchez. Additionally, the guide provides information on minority, women, and small business loan programs, which can open doors to specialized funding and support.

Location, Location, Location: The guide links to a browsable inventory of available building spaces in Downtown Natchez. It also includes instructions on how to access the Adams County GIS Geoportal, an interactive map that helps in identifying the best possible location based on specific business needs.

Zoning: The guide provides a zoning map and links to the Natchez Code of Ordinances and Development Code. This information will help you determine what kinds of businesses are allowed in various downtown zones. Certain businesses, such as bars and nightclubs, are only allowed in the historic district by special exception, granted by the Planning Commission.

Local Preservation Ordinance: The guide explains that historic buildings in the downtown district are covered by a local preservation ordinance, which simply means that before you can make exterior alterations to your building, you need to get a certificate from the city’s Preservation Commission. The process is simple: fill out a form and submit it to the city planner.

Licenses, permits, and taxes: Navigating all of this can be daunting, but the DNA guide simplifies the process by outlining the requirements at local, state, and federal levels, ensuring that new business owners can be fully compliant from the start. For example, a city privilege license is one of the local requirements explained in the guide.

Utilities: Check out this section for easy instructions on who to contact to get basic utilities and services (electricity, gas, sewer, water, and telecommunications) hooked up.

Other business resources: DNA’s guide includes access to economic data, a comprehensive Retail Market Analysis & Strategy, and information on financial incentives.

For more information and to access the full guide, visit natchezdna.org and click on Resources. With the support of the Downtown Natchez Alliance, opening a business in our historic downtown has never been easier.

Michael Wilson is the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Downtown Natchez Alliance. He can be reached at Downtown@NatchezDNA.org.