Information on
Starting, Operating, and Growing
Your Business in Hickman County

Starting, operating, and growing a business can seem like a huge task. Having a guide of how to get started and where to go can make it easier. Below is a list of some things to consider for operating most businesses. Certain types of businesses may be required to meet additional requirements. Don’t be afraid to ask about any special requirements for your business as you go.

HICKMAN COUNTY ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSN.
HCECDA has a small business resource library (that was funded in part by a generous grant from USDA-RD) with books on starting a business, developing a business plan, marketing, bookkeeping, finance, etc.  Staff can provide some one-on-one direction on business assistance and refer you to other resources for help.
www.hickmantn.org and www.business.hickmantn.org 

BUSINESS LICENSE (TENNESSEE BUSINESS TAX)
Registering your business to comply with the Tennessee Business Tax regulations has recently changed.  Instead of going to the Hickman County Clerk's office in Centerville, your business applies directly with the State of Tennessee Department of Revenue online at www.tennesseeanytime.org/bizreg/ .

Tennessee Department of Revenue
Online business registration:  www.tennesseeanytime.org/bizreg/

Should you be required to contact the county for registration:

Hickman County Clerk
Hickman County Administrative Building
114 N Central Ave
Centerville, TN 37033
931.729.2621
www.hickmanco.com/departments.htm

IRS IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Most businesses need an IRS identification number. Obtain a Form SS-4 (application for Employer Identification Number) from:

Internal Revenue Service
801 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
615.250.5670
www.irs.ustreas.gov

TENNESSEE EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
You must obtain a Tennessee Employer Identification Number if (1) you are liable under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act; (2) the business has a total payroll of $1,500 or more in any quarter of the tax year; or (3) the business has at least one employee, full- or part-time, on any day during 20 different weeks of the tax year. Obtain your number from:

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Employer Services
500 James Robertson Parkway
Davy Crockett Tower, Eighth Floor
Nashville, TN 37245-3555
615.741.2486
tn.gov/labor-wfd/esdiv.html

SALES TAX NUMBER
Any business liable for collection and payment of the sales and use tax is required to register with the Department of Revenue. Obtain a Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration from this department.

Tennessee Department of Revenue
500 Deaderick Street
Andrew Jackson State Office Building, Room 1200
Nashville, TN 37242-1099
615.253.0600 or 1.800.342.1003 (in state)
tn.gov/revenue
revenue@tn.gov

WORKERS' COMPENSATION
If you have five or more full- or part-time employees and are not exempt from the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act, you must obtain Workers' Compensation coverage for all eligible employees immediately. You can obtain this insurance from your local business insurance agent. For more information, contact:

Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division of Workers' Compensation
610 James Robertson Parkway
Andrew Johnson Building, Eighth Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0655
615.741.2395
tn.gov/labor-wfd/wcomp

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Every Tennessee employer is required to pay unemployment insurance. Contact:

Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division of Employment Security
500 James Robertson Parkway
Davy Crockett Tower, Eighth Floor
Nashville, TN 37245-3555
615.741.2386
tn.gov/labor-wfd/esdiv.html
　
SOCIAL SECURITY (FICA)
If you have one or more employees, you must deduct the employees' part of Social Security taxes (FICA) from their wages and report these deductions, along with payment of your part of these taxes and all deductions of income taxes made from employees' wages on Form 941. Each employee must fill out a form W-4. Obtain these forms from the IRS.

Internal Revenue Service
801 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
615.259.5656 or
Free Federal Tax Assistance: 1.800.829.1040
Free Federal Tax Forms or Publications: 1.800.829.3676
www.irs.ustreas.gov

CORPORATE CHARTER APPLICATION (IF you decide to incorporate)
To apply for incorporation of your business, contact:

Tennessee Secretary of State
312 Eighth Ave. North
William Snodgrass Building, Sixth Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-3795
615.741.2286
tn.gov/sos/

ZONING AND CODE REQUIREMENTS
Where your business can legally be located and operated is a matter subject to zoning and code requirements. Before you make a substantial investment of time and money, you should check to see if you will comply with the zoning and code requirements related to your business. Failure to obtain proper permits prior to opening a business could result in fines, or even the relocation of a business, if standards cannot be met at the current location.

In Hickman County:
Hickman County Planning & Zoning Office
Mike Stewart, Building Commissioner
#14 Hickman County Courthouse
Centerville, TN 37033
931.729.5534
E-mail: planning@hickmanco.com
www.hickmanco.com/planning/

In Centerville:
Stanley Gordon
Centerville City Hall
102 E Swan Street
Centerville, TN 37033
931.729.4246

FOR FOOD SERVICE, BED & BREAKFAST, CHILD CARE BUSINESSES
Tennessee Department of Health
General Environmental Health
425 Fifth Avenue, North
Cordell Hull Building, 6th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
615.741.7206
health.state.tn.us/GEH/index.htm

CoverTN
Affordable, basic health insurance for small businesses, their employees, individuals and the self-employed
1-866-COVERTN
www.covertn.gov

UTILITIES
Electricity
MLEC (Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative)
1625 Highway 100
Centerville, TN  37033
931.729.3558
www.mlec.com

Dickson Electric (East Hickman area)
236 Cowan Street
Dickson, TN  37055
615.446.9051
www.dicksonelectric.com

UTILITIES
Water
Town of Centerville
102 E Swan Street
Centerville, TN  37033
931.729.5146

Bon Aqua & Lyles Utility District (East Hickman)
7964 Spot Light Rd
Lyles, TN  
931.670.3957

UTILITIES
Sewer
Town of Centerville
102 E Swan Street
Centerville, TN  37033
931.729.5146

Water Authority of Dickson County (Hwy 46/7 corridor)
101 Cowan Rd
Dickson, TN 37055
615.441.4188
www.wadc.us

UTILITIES
Natural Gas
Town of Centerville Gas Department
102 E Swan Street
Centerville, TN  37033
931.729.5146

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Joining the chamber of commerce will increase the visibility of your business, provide networking opportunities, and help improve the local economic environment in which your business operates.

Hickman County Chamber of Commerce
Nancy Roland, Executive Director
405 W Public Square
PO Box 126
Centerville, TN 37033
931.729.5774
www.hickmanco.org

Local Banks

Community First Bank & Trust
Centerville Location
314 N Public Square
P.O. Box 9
Centerville, 37033
931.729.5181

Lyles Location
5200 Hwy 100
Lyles, TN 37098
931.729.5181

First Farmers Bank
Centerville Location
116 Church Street
Centerville, TN 37033
931.729.3522

East Hickman Location
9512 Highway 46
Bon Aqua, TN 37025
931.670.0090

First Federal Bank
737 Hwy 100
Centerville, TN 37033
931-729-4252