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The City of Clarksville, AR
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    • Clarksville Voyent Alert Emergency Program
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SMALL BUSINESS START-UPS

We developed this step by step guide to assist you in making your new business a reality. While this process can seem daunting, we are here every step of the way to support your start-up venture!

If you need support with Site Selection, visit our Economic Development webpage at 
www.ClarksvilleAR.gov/Untapped

STEP 1: MEET US

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As a community, we support our local businesses. Feel free to reach out to our Economic Development Office to learn how we can help you navigate this process smoothly! We aim to build a long term relationship with you that lasts beyond these crucial first steps.

Feel free to contact Steve at (479) 754-6486 or email shouserman@clarksvillear.gov

STEP 2: DBA CERTIFICATE

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To register a new business in Arkansas, You must file a Doing Business As Certificate (DBA) with the County Clerk's Office to assure the name you selected for your business is available. 
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​You can also perform a business entity search here: 
DBA Certificate

STEP 3: LEGAL STRUCTURE

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After you secure your business name, you must register your business legal structure.  The four basic types of legal structure in Arkansas are sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and limited liability companies. 

​You must register sole proprietorships with the County Clerk office.  Register corporations, partnerships, and LLC's with the Arkansas Secretary of State, in the Business and Commercial Div. (Link below).
SOS Forms

STEP 4: REGISTER EIN

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After you register your business legal structure, you must apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) so you business can be officially recorded by the federal government as a tax-compliant entity. Follow the link below to get started. 
IRS EIN REGISTRATION

STEP 5: DEPT. OF FINANCE

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Once you have the federal EIN, you must register your business with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration using the Arkansas Taxpayer Access Point (ATAP) so you can pay all the necessary state taxes according to your business legal structure.
ATAP APPLICATION

STEP 6: ASSESS PROPERTY

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Filing a DBA and obtaining federal and state identification formally establishes your business as a legitimate entity and now allows you to move on to the City and County regulatory process.  Your next step is to have your commercial property assessed by the Johnson County Assessor's office. You can contact the County Assessor's Office
at (479) 754-3863 for more information. 

STEP 7: LPI'S

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The final step in the regulatory process actually involves obtaining licenses, permits, and inspections (LPI's) from various city, county, and state agencies, depending on what goods and services you are selling, such as tobacco and/or gasoline. You can find the most common permits below. If you have any questions about what permits you should apply for, give us a call at (479) 754-6486.

  • Business Registration (City Inspector)
  • Building Permit (City Inspector) 
  • Fire Code Inspection (Clarksville Fire Department)
  • Food Establishment Permit (Department of Health)
  • Renovation Application (City Inspector)
  • Sign Installation Permit (City Inspector) 
  • Zoning Approval/Permit  (City Inspector)
  • Private Club Permit (City Inspector)
OTHER PERMITS

STEP 8: UTILITIES

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Don't forget to turn the lights on!
Contact Clarksville Connected Utilities to power up your business as well as connect it to the rest of the world with its ultra high speed fiber internet. 
CLARKSVILLE CONNECTED UTILITIES

CONTACT INFORMATION:

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​STEPHEN HOUSERMAN
Clarksville Economic Development 
shouserman@clarksvillear.gov
(479)754-6486

205 Walnut St. 
​Clarksville, AR 72830

  • Business Registration (City Inspector)
  • Building Permit (City Inspector) 
  • Fire Code Inspection (Clarksville Fire Department)
  • Food Establishment Permit (Department of Health)
  • Renovation Application (City Inspector)
  • Sign Installation Permit (City Inspector) 
  • Zoning Approval/Permit  (City Inspector)
  • Private Club Permit (City Inspector)

POINTS OF CONTACT

Local Government Offices
​
Clarksville City Hall and Building Inspections
205 Walnut Street
Clarksville, AR  72830
479-754-6486

Johnson County Assessor Office
108 Fulton Street 
Clarksville, AR  72830
479-754-8839
johnsoncounty.arkansas.gov/departments 

Johnson County Clerk
215 West Main Street
Clarksville, AR  72830
479-754-3967

johnsoncounty.arkansas.gov/departments 

Clarksville Connected Utilities
400 West Main Street
Clarksville, AR  72830
479-754-3148
clarksvilleconnected.net
​

Clarksville Fire and Police Department
1008 West Main Street
Clarksville, AR 72830
479-754-8100

Johnson County Cooperative and Extension Office
129 West Sevier Street
Clarksville, AR  72830
479-754-2240
uaex.edu/counties/johnson/ 

Johnson County Health Unit
6 Professional Park Drive
Clarksville, AR  72830
479-754-2949
healthy.arkansas.gov/health-units/detail/johnson-county-health-unit-clarksville
Small Business Resources

Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce
101 North Johnson Street 
Clarksville, AR  72830
479-754-2340
clarksvillejocochamber.com

Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center
Arkansas Tech University 
College of Business, Rothwell Hall
106 West O Street
Russellville, AR 72801
atu.edu/asbtdc
​

Small Business Administration
2120 Riverfront Drive, Suite 250
Little Rock, AR  72202
501-324-7379


State Government Offices

Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration
Johnson County Revenue Office
1140 South Rogers Street
Clarksville, AR  72830
479-754-2149
dfa.arkansas.gov/services/category/business/  

Arkansas Secretary of State Business and Commercial Services Division
1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 250
Little Rock, AR  72201
501-682-3409
sos.arkansas.gov/business-commercial-services-bcs  

Home

City Government

Departments

Economic Development

Community

Clarksville City Hall
205 Walnut Street, Clarksville, AR 72830
(479) 754-6486
M-F 8AM-12PM 1PM-4:30PM
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  • Home
  • City Government
    • Mayor's Office
    • City Clerk & City Council
    • City Council Minutes
    • City Code
    • Ordinances & Resolutions
    • Business Permits & More
    • City Employment
  • Departments
    • Police Department
    • Fire Department
    • Building Inspector
    • Street Department
    • Animal Control
    • Advertising & Promotion
    • Planning & Zoning
  • Economic Development
    • Business Incentives
    • Economic Development Alliance
    • Clarksville Site Selection
    • Clarksville's Business Climate
    • How to Start a Business
    • City Blog
  • Community
    • Clarksville Community Garden
    • Aquatic Center
    • Marvin Vinson Center
    • Clarksville Voyent Alert Emergency Program
    • Parks and Recreation
    • Recycling Center
    • Youth Activities
    • Municipal Airport H35
  • Events
    • Broken Sword Triathlon
    • Vendor Form
  • Contact Us