To obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number for a business, visit the Federal Government website.

The next step—the state tax registration process—can begin by visiting the Comptroller of Maryland’s website. Once the business is registered with the State of Maryland taxation department, it is also entered into the tax systems of local jurisdictions; therefore, no additional paperwork is required during this step.

If the business structure is a Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Limited Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, visit the Maryland Department of Assessments & Taxation to register the business entity and obtain business personal property tax information. Sole Proprietorships or General Partners comply with local licensing and taxation, but require a different registration form found here.

To determine licensing and permitting requirements, visit Maryland’s Business License Information System (BLIS), which will reveal all the information necessary to open a business in Maryland. The website is organized to find licensing information by keyword search, industry category, or by county.

Most business licenses may be obtained from the Washington County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Contact the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office at (301) 790-7991 for more details.

For property located outside the limits of the City of Hagerstown, contact the Washington County Permitting Department, at 240-313-2460.

For property located inside the limits of the City of Hagerstown, contact City of Hagerstown Planning Department, at 301-739-8577 ext 138, or email at [email protected].

The David W. Fletcher Incubator + Labs is located inside the Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies on the campus of Hagerstown Community College. The mission of the Fletcher Incubator and Labs is to offer work space, business development and other support to local business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent workers, and to inspire the next generation of enterprising community leader.

The David W. Fletcher Incubator + Labs helps entrepreneurs navigate the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Washington County. They offer private offices suites, wet labs, virtual offices, dedicated desks and hourly access to a commercial kitchen. Spaces can be combined, and the amenities are vast.

They serve:

• Entrepreneurs
• Small Businesses
• Researchers
• Independent Contractors
• Catering Chefs
• Companies Moving into Maryland
• Companies currently housed in the incubator range form cybersecurity, biotech, app development, product development to food and service providers.  

You can learn more at www.incubatorhcc.com.