Start Your Business in Middlesex County, Virginia

If you’re looking to start a business in Middlesex County, Virginia, you’ll find a supportive environment with growing infrastructure, available sites, and a community that values local entrepreneurship. From registering your business and obtaining the proper licenses to finding a location and hiring employees, this page outlines the key steps to successfully start and operate a business in Middlesex County.

Start with your idea!

Plan Your Business

Before you register your business or apply for licenses, take time to think through your idea and how it fits within Middlesex County. Understanding your customer, evaluating local demand, and outlining a simple plan will help you make informed decisions and set your business up for long-term success. Use the checklist below to validate your idea and build a strong foundation before moving forward.

☐ Define Your Business & Customer

  • What product or service are you offering?
  • Who is your primary customer—local residents, visitors, or both?
  • What problem are you solving, and why would someone choose you?

☐ Evaluate Your Idea for Middlesex

  • Who else is offering something similar in the area?
  • Where are there gaps or opportunities?
  • Is there demand that is currently underserved
  • Does your business align with industries that are already strong here?
  • Is Middlesex the right environment to support your business?

Explore:

Business Directory
Industries
Why Middlesex

☐ Develop a Basic Business Plan

Be clear on:

  • What you’re selling
  • Who you’re selling to
  • How you’ll generate revenue
  • What success looks like in your first year

Explore:

How to Write a Business Plan from U.S. Small Business Administration

☐ Connect with the EDA Early

Connect with the Economic Development Authority early in the process.

We’ll help you evaluate your idea and find opportunities, navigate local requirements, and connect you with resources to support your success in Middlesex County.

Need help getting started?

We’re here to help you think through your idea and take the next step.

Contact the EDA

Location matters!

Choose a Location for Your Business

Choosing the right location is a critical step in starting your business. In Middlesex County, zoning, property type, and available infrastructure can all impact where and how your business operates. Use the checklist below to explore your options, confirm requirements, and identify a location that supports your business goals.

☐ Identify and Explore Your Location Options

  • What type of space does your business require?
    • storefront, office, home-based, industrial, or waterfront
  • Do you need visibility, foot traffic, or proximity to customers, roads, or marinas?
  • What utilities or infrastructure are required (water, sewer, broadband)?
  • Are there existing properties that meet your needs, or will you need to build or renovate?
  • How will customers, employees, or deliveries access your location?

Explore:

Browse Available Sites & Properties

☐ Confirm Zoning Approval

  • Before signing a lease or buying property, confirm that your intended business type is permitted at that location under Middlesex County’s zoning ordinance. Zoning determines what you can legally operate and where, and a quick check upfront prevents costly surprises later.
  • Zoning requirements vary depending on your business type and location
  • Some uses may require additional approvals or special permits

Explore:

Planning & Zoning Department

☐ Understand Building and Permitting Requirements

  • Building permits are required before any new construction, renovation, or change of use. They ensure your project meets state and local safety codes and protect your investment from the start.
  • Middlesex County’s Planning and Zoning office reviews permit applications and can walk you through what applies to your specific project.

Explore:

Permits & Licenses

☐ Get Guidance Before Finalizing a Location

  • Confirm zoning, permitting, and infrastructure before committing to a lease or purchase
  • Avoid costly changes or delays by verifying requirements early
Contact EDA

Make it official!

Register Your Business

Once you’re ready to move forward, the next step is to legally establish your business. This includes selecting a business structure, registering with the state, and obtaining the necessary identification and tax registrations. Use the checklist below to complete the required steps and make your business official.

☐ Choose Your Business Structure

  • Decide how your business will be organized:
    • Sole Proprietorship
    • Limited Liability Company (LLC)
    • Corporation
  • Consider liability, taxes, and how you plan to operate

Explore:

Learn More About Choosing Your Business Structure

☐ Register Your Business with the State

  • Register your business with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC)
  • Choose and secure your business name
  • File as an LLC, corporation, or other entity as needed

Explore:

Virginia SCC Registration

☐ Register a Trade Name (If Applicable)

  • If you plan to operate under a name different from your legal business name, you may need to file a DBA (Doing Business As)
  • Check Virginia requirements for trade names

☐ Obtain a Federal EIN

  • Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) through the IRS
  • Required if you plan to hire employees or operate as an LLC or corporation

Explore:

Apply for an EIN

☐ Obtain a Middlesex Business License

  • Most businesses operating in Middlesex County are required to obtain a local business license through the Commissioner of the Revenue
  • Requirements vary depending on your business type, location, and revenue
  • Some businesses may still need to register even if no tax is owed
  • Contact the Commissioner of the Revenue to confirm what applies to your business

Explore:

Obtaining a Business License
Business License Application
Commissioner of Revenue

Opening a Business in the Town of Urbanna?

The Town of Urbanna has its own permitting authority and local business tax requirements that differ from the County’s. Contact Urbanna Town Hall directly to confirm what applies to your location.

Learn More

☐ Identify Required Permits

Depending on your business, additional permits may be required:

  • Health permits (food service, lodging)
  • Alcohol licenses (ABC)
  • Contractor or professional licensing (DPOR)
  • Other industry-specific approvals

Explore:

Virginia Dept. of Health
Virginia DPOR
Virginia ABC

Understand your tax obligations!

Business Taxes in Middlesex County

Once your business is registered and licensed, it’s important to understand your tax responsibilities at the federal, state, and local level. Requirements vary depending on your business type and activity, but most businesses will need to collect, file, or pay certain taxes. Use the checklist below to understand what may apply to your business.

☐ Understand Federal Business Taxes

  • Most businesses must report income to the IRS
  • You may be responsible for self-employment or corporate taxes
  • If you have employees, you’ll need to manage payroll taxes
  •  

Explore:

IRS Business Taxes

☐ Understand Virginia State Business Taxes

  • Sales tax (if selling goods or certain services)
  • Employer withholding tax (if hiring employees)
  • Other Virginia business taxes depending on your activity

Explore:

Virginia Department of Taxation

☐ Understand Middlesex County Taxes

Businesses operating in Middlesex County may be subject to several local taxes depending on their activity and revenue. The most common include:

  • Business, Professional & Occupational License (BPOL) Tax
  • Meals Tax (for restaurants and food service)
  • Lodging (Transient Occupancy) Tax (for short-term rentals, inns, and accommodations)
  • Business Tangible Personal Property Tax (on equipment and business assets)

Most businesses are required to register for a local business license (BPOL) through the Commissioner of the Revenue. A minimum annual license fee applies to businesses with gross receipts over $2,000, and additional tax may be assessed based on your business type and total revenue.

Tax rates, classifications, and requirements vary depending on how your business operates.

Middlesex Business Advantage: Middlesex County does not impose a machinery and tools tax, which can be a benefit for certain businesses, particularly those with equipment or production operations.

Explore:

BPOL Tax
Meals Tax FAQs
Meals Tax Remittance Form
Middlesex Tax Rates
Commissioner of Revenue
Transient Occupancy Remittance Form

☐ Work with a Tax Professional

  • Many small businesses choose to work with an accountant or bookkeeper to help set up tax accounts, track expenses, and stay compliant
  • A tax professional can help ensure you’re meeting federal, state, and local requirements from the start

Explore:

Business Directory

Count the costs!

Estimate Costs & Explore Funding for Your Business

Understanding your costs and how you’ll fund your business is an important step before getting started. Use the checklist below to estimate what you’ll need and explore available funding options.

☐ Estimate Your Startup and Ongoing Costs

Think through both what it takes to open and what it takes to operate:

  • Space (lease, purchase, or buildout)
  • Equipment, tools, and inventory
  • Licenses, permits, and fees
  • Utilities, insurance, and payroll

☐ Explore Funding Options

Consider how you’ll finance your business:

  • Loans (banks or SBA-backed)
  • Personal investment or partnerships
  • Lines of credit or private financing
  • Grants and local incentive programs

Explore:

Local Funding Options
State & Regional Funding Programs
EDA Programs & Incentives

Get guidance before you commit.

We’re here to help you identify funding opportunities and connect with the right resources to move your business forward.

Contact the EDA

Ready, set launch!

Launch & Grow Your Business in Middlesex County

You’ve done the planning, laid the groundwork, and built the foundation. Now it’s time to open your doors. Here’s how the Middlesex EDA and our local partners can help you launch with confidence and grow from day one.

☐ Plan Your Opening

  • Decide on a soft opening or grand opening
  • Consider timing (seasonality, events, weekends)
  • Plan how you’ll introduce your business to the community
  • Coordinate a ribbon cutting and promote your opening with the EDA

Explore:

Plan Your Ribbon Cutting

☐ Set Up Your Marketing Basics

  • Create a website or online presence
  • Set up social media accounts

☐ Get Listed Locally

  • Add your business to the Middlesex Business Directory
  • If tourism-related, submit your listing to Virginia’s River Realm and the Virginia Tourism Corporation
  • Create and verify your Google Business Profile
  • List your business on major directories (Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc., if applicable)
  • Ensure your website and contact information are consistent across all listings

Explore:

Submit Your Business to the Directory
Get Listed on Virginia Tourism
Setup a Google Business Profile

☐ Promote & Market Your Business

  • Share updates on social media and engage with your audience
  • Tag Explore Middlesex, Middlesex EDA, and Virginia’s River Realm when appropriate to expand your reach
  • Stay up to date on regional tourism campaigns and opportunities (especially for visitor-facing businesses)
  • Take advantage of local events and seasonal promotion opportunities

Explore:

Events Calendar
Submit Your Event

Keep Moving Forward

Starting a business is just the beginning. The Middlesex County Economic Development Authority is here to support you as you grow, connect, and take advantage of new opportunities.

Explore More Resources

About the EDA – Learn how we support local businesses

Jobs & Workforce – Find employees or connect with local talent

News & Updates – Stay informed on local initiatives and opportunities

Tourism Marketing – Explore ways to promote your business through regional efforts

Get in Touch

Connect with the EDA.

Have questions or looking for guidance? We’re here to help connect you with resources, opportunities, and the next steps for doing business in Middlesex County.

Contact the EDA →

GET TO KNOW

John Anzivino

John Anzivino brings decades of experience in economic development, local government administration, and public-sector leadership to the Middlesex County Economic Development Authority, where he has served as a board member since 2018 and Chairman since 2020.

Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, John earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Concord University and a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Urban and Regional Administration from the University of Georgia. John and his wife, Kristi, purchased property in Urbanna in 2008 before becoming full-time Middlesex County residents in 2016.

Throughout his career, John has held leadership positions in planning, economic development, and local government across the Mid-Atlantic region. His experience includes serving as Planning Director and Deputy Director for the Eastern Panhandle Planning District Council in West Virginia, State Planning Director for the Governor’s Office of West Virginia, County Administrator in both Amelia and Caroline Counties, and Town Manager for the Town of Warrenton, Virginia. He also served as Senior Vice President and Mid-Atlantic Group Director for a national consulting firm specializing in public-sector management, organizational development, budgeting, and economic development.

Even in retirement, John has continued serving communities throughout Virginia in interim leadership roles, including Interim Town Manager, Interim County Administrator, and Interim Executive Director for several localities and economic development organizations. He currently serves as Chairman of GO Virginia Region 6 and is also a member of the Town of Urbanna Board of Zoning Appeals.

John joined the Middlesex County EDA to help support future generations by expanding economic opportunities throughout the County. He believes economic development in Middlesex should remain balanced — building upon the County’s rural character, waterways, working waterfronts, agriculture, forestry, and tourism economy while creating sustainable opportunities for residents to live and work close to home.

GET TO KNOW

Doug McMinn

Doug McMinn was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1996 with a degree in microbiology. A lifelong love for the Chesapeake Bay and strong family ties to the region led Doug to become a full-time resident of Middlesex County in 1997.

From 1997 to 2000, Doug served as the Marine Science Director at Christchurch Episcopal School. He married his wife, Karen, in 1998, and the couple later moved to St. Croix, USVI, where they worked at Good Hope School before returning home to Middlesex County in 2001.

In 2002, Doug started a small oyster farm on the Rappahannock River. He expanded those operations in 2003 by founding Chesapeake Bay Oyster Company, which farm-raises oysters and develops and distributes commercial shellfish farming equipment. Doug is also a founding member and current board member of the Shellfish Growers of Virginia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Virginia’s shellfish farming industry, and serves on the State Aquaculture Advisory Committee.

Doug and Karen live in Wake, Virginia and have three children, all graduates of Middlesex County High School.

As a member of the Middlesex County Economic Development Authority, Doug is passionate about supporting long-term economic stability while increasing public access to the waterways that help define Middlesex County.

GET TO KNOW

Hallie Jean Holmes

Hallie J. Holmes is a lifelong resident of Middlesex County and currently serves on the Middlesex County Economic Development Authority. Following her retirement in 2010 from the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center, Hallie committed herself to volunteering and serving the Middlesex community in any capacity she could.

Hallie attended Rappahannock Community College in Glenns, Virginia, where she studied subjects including psychology, chemistry, biology, algebra, and constitutional law. Over the years, she has worked a variety of jobs throughout Middlesex, Essex, Richmond, and Gloucester, giving her a broad understanding of the region and its communities.

As the daughter of a former waterman who worked as both a menhaden fisherman and oysterman before later serving as Sheriff, Hallie has deep roots in Middlesex County’s maritime heritage and working waterfront culture. Her travels throughout Virginia and across the country have also given her a strong appreciation for tourism, local identity, and community development — though she says Middlesex has always felt like home.

Hallie enjoys genealogy and local history research, baking pound cakes for family and friends, and continuing to learn through community leadership opportunities, including recent board leadership training through the River Counties Community Foundation.

GET TO KNOW

Joe Heyman

Joe Heyman is the President of The Allen Group Inc. and has been a business owner and community leader in Middlesex County since moving to the area in 1989. Shortly after relocating, Joe started his construction business and has since built experience across several industries including construction, hospitality, marina operations, commercial leasing, and small business development.

Throughout his career, Joe has remained deeply involved in the Middlesex community, serving on numerous local boards and organizations including the YMCA, the Urbanna Oyster Festival, and the Middlesex Sports Complex. He also previously served on the Urbanna Town Council and has spent many years coaching local youth sports programs.

Joe joined the Middlesex County Economic Development Authority to help support existing businesses while encouraging new economic opportunities throughout the County. To him, economic development means creating an environment where small businesses can succeed and where future generations have opportunities to live, work, and invest locally.

One area Joe is especially excited about is expanding recreation and boating access throughout Middlesex County and continuing to strengthen the County’s connection to the water. Outside of work and community service, he enjoys sailing and spending time with his family, including his grandchildren.

GET TO KNOW

Gerald "Jerry" Crittenden

Gerald “Jerry” F. Crittenden is a lifelong resident of Middlesex County and a fifth-generation member of the Deltaville community. A graduate of Middlesex County Public Schools, Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Radford University in 1988.

Throughout his career, Jerry has worked across several industries including farming, education, coaching, agricultural supply sales, and contracting. He is the owner of GFC Contracting LLC and part owner of T.H. Crittenden & Son (Riverdale Farm), a third-generation family farming operation in Middlesex County.

Deeply involved in the local community, Jerry has served for more than 30 years as a Little League baseball coach and has managed the Deltaville Deltas baseball team for over four decades. He is also a founding board member of the Wilton Hunt Club and serves on the boards of the Middlesex County Farm Bureau, the Deltaville Community Association, and the Middlesex County Economic Development Authority.

Jerry and his wife, Martha Fleet Crittenden, have three children and two grandchildren, all of whom reside in Middlesex County. In his free time, he enjoys baseball, hunting, and fishing.