Develop Indy and partner will focus on small business support

The city’s economic-development arm and a small-business development group have forged a partnership to increase support for those starting their own enterprises.

The Business Ownership Initiative of Central Indiana will move its four staff members into the downtown offices of Develop Indy, a not-for-profit that receives a city subsidy and supports efforts to attract and retain companies in Indianapolis.

The Business Ownership Initiative—which provides one-on-one business counseling, facilitates workshops and helps entrepreneurs access capital and write business plans—will team up with community organizations to provide its services in neighborhoods, rather than from a centralized office.

Develop Indy also has developed a small-business guide designed to help business owners more easily navigate the permitting and zoning process. More stringent enforcement of permitting under Mayor Greg Ballard has raised concerns among some business owners, who say the process has become more cumbersome.

The new guide is available at www.developindy.com and www.indy.gov/smallbusinessguide.