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Starting a Business/Business Resources

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Page Guide

Starting a Business in Woonsocket

1.) Before signing a lease for a potential location, please contact the Zoning Office at 401-597-5359, to determine if the type of business is allowed at the possible location and obtain a zoning certificate.

2.) Contact the Building Inspection Division at 401-767-9238, to determine what is required to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy/ Change of Tenancy form. 

• The current use of the building/unit will determine what will be required to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy/Change of Tenancy form.

• An existing and proposed floor plan will be the minimum required document to be submitted.

• All trade permits (building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical) will need final passed inspections before the Certificate of Occupancy/Change of Tenancy forms will be issued.

3.) Contact the Woonsocket Fire Marshall's Office at 401-597-6660, to determine what is needed for their approval process to acquire a Certificate of Occupancy.

4.) Contact the City Clerk's Office to determine if a license is required at 401-767-9249.

5.) Contact the City Planner and the Zoning Official to obtain a sign permit.

Local and State Incentives

The City of Woonsocket has the following incentives available dependent on funding and location:

  • Tax Incremental Financing - Elgible projects within the Downtown Overlay District may qualify for a tax stabilization program.
  • Small Business Facade Program - Closed (03/2024)

Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is the state economic development organization that administers state-level incentives that include:

  • Qualified Job Incentive Program - Employers that relocate jobs from out of state may be eligible to receive annual, redeemable tax credits for up to 10 years with the Qualified Jobs Incentive program. Credits can equal up to $7,500 per job per year, depending on the wage level and other criteria. The minimum number of new jobs needed to qualify varies by industry and company size, but can be as few as 10. 
  • Rebuild Rhode Island Tax Credit - If your real estate project cannot raise sufficient funding, Rebuild Rhode Island can fill the financing gap with redeemable tax credits covering up to 20% – and, in some cases, 30% – of project costs. Commercial office, industrial, residential, mixed-use development, ground-up construction, and historic rehab can qualify. A minimum project cost of $5 million and certain square footage/project size minimums may apply. Approved projects can also be exempted from sales tax on construction materials, furnishings, and equipment.
  • Tax Incremental Financing - Eligible projects may be qualify for a rebate of a portion of the new state tax revenue generated by the project. An eligible project must demonstrate need through a “financing gap.” The tax revenue rebate may not exceed 30% of total project costs (there’s an exemption for public infrastructure/utilities) or 75% of incremental revenue generated.
  • RI Rebounds: Energy Efficiency Program - RI Businesses making less than $2,000,000 per year in gross annual revenue are eligible for up to $10,000 in energy efficiency upgrades such as insulation, roof top unit controls, electric panel upgrades and ventilation improvements.

Staff Contacts for Businesses

Mike Debroisse, Director of Planning and Development

  • Oversees the Planning Department

John Ahumada, Business Growth & Recovery Administrator

  • Responsible for economic development strategy

Emily Haining-Sheehan, Small Business Outreach Coordinator

  • Main point of contact for small businesses, available properties, and business resources

Joseph Rollins, Zoning Official

  • Questions about zoning
  • Zoning certificates
  • Sign permits

June Mousseau, Building Inspection Office Manager

  • Scheduling of inspections

Joan LeFrancois, Zoning & Building Inspections Clerk

  • Scheduling of inspections

Annette Garrepy, Licensing Aide

  • Confirm license requirements
  • File for a business and liquor license

Business Resources

Community Partners

 

Commerce

 

WOC

 

Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

 

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is the state-level economic development organization responsible for administering incentives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woonsocket Education Center

 

The Woonsocket Education Center of the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner brings together higher education, business, industry, and community partners to provide high-quality educational programs to meet projected workforce growth in the region.

 

The center delivers workforce training and postsecondary courses for credits, credentials, and industry-recognized certifications. Additionally, the center is available to any business wishing to rent classrooms or the multi-use room for training sessions, meetings, webinars, and more. If desired, businesses can opt to engage with the center’s higher education partners to develop customized courses. Whether training new hires or offering professional development for current staff, the center is ideal for off-site programming.

 

 

DWC

SEG

 

Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative

 

Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteer board members dedicated to improving and promoting downtown Woonsocket. The DWC assists and advocates for revitalization in the Main Street area through building community support, encouraging investment, improving the reputation and appearance of downtown, and increasing economic growth through the retention and recruitment of the arts, culture, business, and tourism.

 

 

Social Enterprise Greenhouse

 

Social Enterprise Greenhouse is an entrepreneurship non-profit that envisions a more just, equitable and resilient economy achieved through social purpose business by providing inclusive support and networks for entrepreneurs and businesses committed to positive societal and economic change. SEG offers free support services in both English and Spanish. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NRCC

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce

 

 

The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy & professional networking organization working to  to promote and protect the interests of its members & the greater business community in Rhode Island.

 

 

 

 
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