Business Startup & Economic Development
Wilkinson County welcomes entrepreneurs, small businesses, industries, and companies interested in starting, expanding, or relocating a business in our community.
Use the resources below to find assistance with business registration, licensing, taxes, financing, incentives, business planning, and economic development.
Starting a Business in Wilkinson County
Requirements vary depending on the type, location, and legal structure of your business. The steps below provide a general starting point.
Plan Your Business
Develop your business idea, estimate startup costs, research your market, consider financing needs, and prepare a business plan.
Choose & Register Your Business
Determine the appropriate business structure and, when required, register your corporation, LLC, or other business entity with the Mississippi Secretary of State.
Register for State Taxes
Depending on your business activities, you may need to register with the Mississippi Department of Revenue for sales tax, withholding, or other state tax accounts.
Obtain Your Local Business License
Businesses may need a privilege or business license from the municipality where they are located or from Wilkinson County when located outside municipal limits.
Check for Additional Permits
Certain businesses may require additional permits, professional licenses, health approvals, building permits, environmental permits, or other approvals depending on the type of operation.
Find Financing & Assistance
Explore financing, business counseling, incentives, workforce resources, and economic-development programs available through local, state, and federal organizations.
Do I Need a Business License?
If your business is located inside the limits of a municipality, contact that city or town regarding its business-license requirements.
If your business is located outside municipal limits in Wilkinson County, contact the Wilkinson County Tax Assessor/Collector's Office regarding the County business license.
Wilkinson County Tax Assessor/Collector
532 Commercial Row
Woodville, MS 39669
Phone: 601-888-4562
Business Assistance & Resources
Wilkinson County Industrial Development Authority
Local economic-development resource for businesses, industries, investment, and development opportunities in Wilkinson County.
Industrial Development AuthorityMississippi Development Authority
Find information about Mississippi business incentives, locations, industries, workforce, expansion assistance, and economic-development programs.
Mississippi Business ResourcesMississippi Small Business Development Center
Mississippi SBDC provides business counseling, startup assistance, workshops, business planning, market research, and other resources for small businesses.
Mississippi SBDCU.S. Small Business Administration
The SBA provides information about business planning, loans and financing, federal contracting, counseling, disaster assistance, and other small-business programs.
SBA MississippiSCORE Mississippi
SCORE provides small-business mentoring, workshops, educational resources, and guidance for entrepreneurs and existing businesses.
SCORE MississippiMississippi Business Finance Corporation
MBFC helps eligible Mississippi businesses and projects access certain financing programs, incentives, and capital-market resources.
Business Financing ResourcesBusiness Registration & Taxes
Mississippi Secretary of State
Form a new Mississippi business entity, register a foreign entity, file annual reports, search existing businesses, and access other business filings.
Secretary of State Business ServicesMississippi Department of Revenue
Register a business for Mississippi tax accounts, including sales and use tax and other applicable business taxes.
Register for Mississippi TaxesFinancing, Incentives & Business Expansion
Businesses considering a new location or expansion in Wilkinson County may wish to explore available local, state, and federal financing and incentive programs.
Eligibility depends on factors such as investment, number of jobs created or retained, industry, location, project type, and financing needs.
Mississippi Business Guides & Publications
The Mississippi Development Authority publishes current guides, reports, development information, and other resources for businesses considering starting, expanding, or locating in Mississippi.
Using MDA's current publications page helps ensure businesses receive the latest version rather than an older County-hosted startup guide.
Promote Your Business Online
Google Business Profile
Eligible businesses can create or claim a free Google Business Profile to help customers find the business through Google Search and Google Maps.
Doing Business With Wilkinson County
Vendors interested in providing equipment, supplies, materials, commodities, or services to Wilkinson County may contact the County Purchasing Department for information regarding County purchasing procedures.
Wilkinson County Data
Businesses evaluating Wilkinson County can also review population, workforce, economic, health, forestry, and other demographic information through the County's resource pages.
Business Requirements: Licenses, permits, taxes, registrations, and regulatory requirements depend on the type and location of the business.
Prospective business owners should confirm current requirements with the appropriate County, municipal, state, and federal agencies before beginning operations.
External organizations maintain their own programs, requirements, application procedures, fees, and websites. Wilkinson County provides these links as a resource for businesses and entrepreneurs.