Running a business in Tallmadge shouldn’t mean figuring it out alone.
There is a whole network of people across Summit County whose actual job is helping businesses like yours, and most of what they do costs nothing. Free one on one advising. Free mentoring. Training, hiring help, and money you may not know you qualify for.
We put it in one place so you don’t have to go looking for it. It starts right here in Tallmadge, then widens out to the region and the state.
You do not have to be a Chamber member to use anything on this page.
Doing Business in Tallmadge
Opening, moving, or expanding in Tallmadge? Start here, and start before you sign anything.
Opening a business in Tallmadge, step by step
Talk to Planning & Zoning first
An informal conversation before you sign a lease, buy property, or file anything. They will confirm your business is allowed at that location and flag any building or fire questions early.
Submit a Use & Compliance Application
This is the step that has to happen before you schedule a grand opening or ribbon cutting. Once a complete application is in, review usually takes about 14 days. It confirms your use is permitted, covers the sign rules, and tells you who else you need to see.
Get your Fire Department inspection
Every new business in Tallmadge needs a Tallmadge Fire Department inspection. If your space needs building permits or occupancy approval, you will also work with the Summit County Department of Building Standards.
Celebrate your opening
Once zoning and any other approvals are finished, the City coordinates your ribbon cutting and points you to the Chamber, where we help you get the word out with promotion, community outreach, and grand opening marketing.
The one mistake to avoid: signing a lease or buying property before zoning confirms your business is allowed there. A fifteen minute phone call to Planning & Zoning can save you a very expensive surprise.
City of Tallmadge Planning & Zoning
Your first call, for the zoning conversation and the Use & Compliance Application. Running a business from home? They handle home occupation registrations too.
46 North Ave | 330-633-0090 | [email protected]
Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Planning & Zoning online
Tallmadge Fire Department
Every new business in Tallmadge needs a Fire Department inspection. Call to schedule yours, and ask about any operational requirements for your space.
85 West Overdale Drive | 330-633-0970 | Fire Prevention online
City of Tallmadge, Economic Development
Samantha Poole is the city’s economic developer and is genuinely helpful. If your question involves the city in any way, she is a great person to know.
330-633-5127 | tallmadgeoh.gov
Already a Chamber member?
Start with what you’re already paying for
Your membership includes cost saving programs through NOACC that a lot of members never get around to using. Health insurance, workers’ compensation savings, payroll and HR, shipping, energy and payment processing.
Across the Region
Summit County and Northeast Ohio, where most of the free help lives.
Greater Akron Business NavigatorNo cost
Not sure who handles your question? Describe what your business needs and it points you to the right organization. Built by nine partners including Summit County, the City of Akron, Bounce Innovation Hub and the Greater Akron Chamber.
Free advice from someone who has done it
All three of these are free. That is not a typo.
Ohio SBDC at Summit Medina Business AllianceNo cost
Confidential one on one advising for businesses in Summit, Medina and Portage counties. Business planning, financial projections, market research, access to capital. Their advisors are certified, and you can see them as many times as you need. Offices inside Bounce Innovation Hub in Akron, and in Kent.
330.375.2111 | akronsbdc.org
SCORE Akron & CantonNo cost
Confidential mentoring from volunteer executives who have run businesses themselves, plus free and low cost workshops. Serves Summit County and ten others.
330.379.3163 | score.org/akron
U.S. Small Business Administration, Cleveland District OfficeNo cost
The SBA office covering our 28 county region. Funding programs, counseling, and federal contracting certifications. The 7(a) loan, the 504 loan and microloans each do a different job, and they will tell you which one fits before you ever talk to a bank.
216-522-4180 | sba.gov/district/cleveland
Permits, space and startup support
Summit County Department of Building Standards
Building permits, commercial plan review, inspections, and certificates of occupancy for Tallmadge and 22 other communities. Step 3 above, if your space needs it.
1030 East Tallmadge Ave, Akron | 330-630-7280
Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Building Standards online
Hiring and training
OhioMeansJobs Summit CountyNo cost
Recruiting help, job postings, training dollars for the employees you already have, and on site hiring events they will run for you. Their office is on East Tallmadge Avenue in Akron.
330-630-4644 | summitmedinaomj.org
Kent State Corporate University
Supervision and management certificates at two levels. Each has a required core plus electives you choose, so you can build it around what your team actually needs.
Kent State career and internship fairs
All majors, open industry, several times a year. A ten person business gets access to the same candidates as a large employer.
Statewide Resources
Ohio programs every business should know about.
Ohio Department of Development
State grants, loans and incentive programs for small business.
Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
Group rating and safety councils can return real money to any business with payroll, and safety councils are operated by chambers like ours. Rebates and deadlines change each year, so check the current program.
Registering a business in Ohio
Filing with the Secretary of State, getting an EIN, and a vendor’s license if you sell anything.
Where to find what is coming up
These calendars are kept by the organizations themselves, so they are always current. Bookmark the ones that fit your business.
SCORE workshops and webinarsNo cost
Free and low cost sessions most weeks, on everything from sales and marketing to succession planning.
Kent State professional development
Certificate programs and open enrollment courses for you and your team, with dates published a term ahead.
Kent State career fairs
Recruiting events across the year, all majors and open industry.
Happening soon
Updated September 10, 2026
Wednesday, September 23 • 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. • Online
Building Your Sales Process Using The Heart Sell
Building a sales process around trust instead of pressure, and leaving with a plan you can use.
Find it on the SCORE workshop calendar
Tuesday, October 6 • 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Kent State Fall Internship and Job Fair
All majors, open to any employer recruiting students or alumni.
Fall 2026
Kent State Supervision and Management Certificates
Both the Fundamentals and Advanced certificates are open for fall.
Not sure which one you need?
Call us. Knowing who to send you to is a good part of what a Chamber is for.
330-633-5417 | [email protected]
Don’t just join. Get connected.