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Small Business Development

DT7
Welcome to the City of Oxford and thank you for considering Oxford as the location of your new business! Starting a new business is both an exciting and busy time. The following information will assist you with your startup and provide you with the proper requirements, fee schedules, contacts, and a list of properties available in our Oxford Downtown Business district. 

Oxford coordinates a number of activities supporting our local businesses. Please visit the City Events page to see what is happening.
If you are a large retailer, restaurant, industry, or just need economic information about our community, please visit our other economic development pages including Commercial and Industrial development.

The Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation, (DOEDC) is a 501 (c) (3) organization governed by a board of directors whose mission is downtown revitalization and physical enhancements while preserving the historical character of the Downtown Business district. DOEDC offers several incentives for businesses specifically interested in locating within Oxford’s Downtown Business District. All applications are reviewed for completeness prior to submitting to the Design Committee of the DOEDC/City of Oxford Downtown Development Director. In 2018 the City of Oxford was approved for accreditation with The National Main Street Program established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 2015 the DOEDC and The City of Oxford, in partnership with several stake-holders began the process of creating a Downtown Oxford Master Plan. The goals include becoming a regional destination, a walkable community, being Granville County’s premier community gathering place with a historic and vibrant downtown with a variety of shops, restaurants, housing and entertainment, and the County's only Brewery! The Downtown Master Plan was adopted by the City of Oxford in March 2016. This is the document used to guide the development of the downtown core. Click here for the Downtown Master Plan

The Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation offers the following incentives and programs specifically located in the Historic Downtown Business District.
The Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation offers several incentives to new businesses specifically interested in the Downtown area. Current building and business owners interested in making upgrades to the façade or upper story development of their building can apply for FREE through a partnership with DOEDC, the NC Main Street Program, and UNC Greensboro. If interested, please contact: Alyssa Blair at 919-603-1102 

Business accountant (Optional)
Make this selection early and choose someone whom you like and trust. An accountant can start the process of applying for federal and state employer identification numbers required for all businesses, as well as provide information on selecting the best Business Entity Requirements for different businesses. . Processing and forms can take several weeks, so you want to start the process early.

City Planning Department - Cheryl Hart - 919-603-1117
Planning Director Hart can tell you if the business you propose is within the guidelines of the zoning ordinances, and whether any proposed alterations to your building are appropriate. She can also inform you about parking ordinances.
Granville County Planning & Inspections Department (Developmental Services) - 919-603-1326
Granville County Planning Department will inspect your facility and advise you of any ways that your building does not meet building code specifications.

City Privilege License –  919-603-1126
Based on recent NC legislation, as of July 1, 2015, only businesses selling beer or wine (on or off-premise), and taxicabs will be required to obtain a Privilege License and the cost of those fees have remained the same. The full Privilege License Fee Schedule will be updated soon.
North Carolina Department of Revenue
This site will assist you with registering your business for NC state sales tax, business withholdings, and business identification (Tax I.D).

Granville County Tax Collections Department - 919-693-4181
This department issues the county privilege license.

Granville County Inspections - 919-603-1326

Granville County Register of Deeds – 919-693-6314
Bring your certificate of the assumed business name to this office located in the Granville County Courthouse. The certificate is issued through Vance Granville Community College, (252-492-2061).

Granville - Vance County Public Health Department 

City Finance Department – 919-603-1120
Any business located in the City, contact the Oxford Finance Department in regards to water, sewer, and garbage service.
City Fire Department - Chief David Cottrell - 919-603-1140
Fire Chief Cottrell and the Oxford Fire Department will advise you of the services available to you from the Fire Department, as well as inform you of fire code as it relates to any building alterations.

City Police Department - 919-693-3161
Police Chief Pat Ford and the Oxford Police Department will advise you of the protection and other services afforded to you by the Oxford Police Department.

Duke Energy Progress - 1-800-452-2777
Duke Energy Progress is the primary provider of electrical power for the City of Oxford. The business office can put you in contact with a local agent if necessary.

PSNC Energy of North Carolina - 1-877-776-2427
All businesses in the downtown business district have access to natural gas lines and most other areas in the City also have access.

In addition to conventional bank financing, the Kerr-Tar COG maintains a revolving loan fund that offers small businesses financing at very affordable rates. Call the KTRCOG for full details.

If you are going into business for the first time, or if you are starting a new business that you have never undertaken before, or if you simply need to acquire new skills because of advancing technology or methods, VGCC Small Business Center can let you know what courses are available to assist you.

Business Link North Carolina - Business Link North Carolina (BLNC) is a division of the Economic Development Partnership of NC and offers a central source for consultations, information, and referrals.

CodeRED notifications - In the event of an emergency or a non-emergency but important situation, the best way to get notified is through the City of Oxford's CodeRED system. After arranging your business and getting started, make sure to stay alert and aware by signing up for CodeRED.