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.
You do not have to be a Chamber member to use anything on this page.
Not sure where to start?
Greater Akron Business Navigator
Describe what your business needs and it points you to the organization that handles it. Free to use, built by nine partners including Summit County, the City of Akron, Bounce Innovation Hub and the Greater Akron Chamber.
greaterakronbusinessnavigator.org
Talk it through with someone who has done it before
All three of these are free. That is not a typo.
Ohio SBDC at Summit Medina Business Alliance
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 & Canton
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 Office
The SBA office covering our 28 county region. Funding programs, counseling, and federal contracting certifications.
216-522-4180 | sba.gov/district/cleveland
Finding the money
SBA lending programs
The 7(a) loan, the 504 loan and microloans each do a different job. The SBA office above will tell you which one fits before you ever talk to a bank.
Ohio Department of Development
State grants, loans and incentive programs for small business.
development.ohio.gov/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.
bwc.ohio.gov
Bounce Innovation Hub
Space, programming and startup support in Akron.
bouncehub.org
Already a 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.
See Member Savings and Benefits
Hiring and training
Kent State Corporate University
Supervision and management certificates at two levels, Fundamentals and Advanced. Each has a required core plus electives you choose, so you can build it around what your team actually needs.
kent.edu/yourtrainingpartner
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.
kent.edu/career
OhioMeansJobs Summit County
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
Right here in Tallmadge
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, start with her.
330-633-5127 | tallmadgeoh.gov
Zoning, permits and signage
The three things that catch new businesses off guard. Check before you sign a lease, not after.
tallmadgeoh.gov
Registering a business in Ohio
Filing with the Secretary of State, getting an EIN, and a vendor’s license if you sell anything.
Happening soon
Last updated: September 3, 2026
Building Your Sales Process and Cycle Using The Heart Sell
Wednesday, September 23, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Online.
Building a sales process around trust instead of pressure, and leaving with a plan you can use.
Kent State Fall Internship and Job Fair
Tuesday, October 6, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
All majors, open to any employer recruiting students or alumni.
Kent State Supervision and Management Certificates, Fall 2026
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.