Texas Local Business, Insurance, and Government Resources

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Business Resources - Anything from getting a business license to finding funding

Local Insurance directory - Find local insurance brokers, agents, or companies

Government Contacts - Get in contact with each level of local government

Texas Local Business Resources

For new businesses planning to open its doors to Texas, you must fulfill the business registration process first so you can operate legally.

The first step is to determine your business' legal structure. Your options include sole proprietorship, LLCs, partnerships, and corporations. There are also specialized structures but these are the basic options. You can seek a legal counsel's advice on the best option for you if you wish to enjoy tax benefits and other implications.

Upon choosing your type of business structure, you must also register a business name. Make sure to do a search of existing trade names to ensure that your registered name is available. You can file the registration at the Secretary of State Office or website.

When you file your business registration, it is also important to check with your county or city for any other licenses and permits you need to secure. Your type of business and specific location of your business will require additional permits before you can operate. For example, businesses offering professional services need to secure a license under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations policies.

The final step is to secure insurance for your business. There are various types of insurances that could apply to your business so be sure to check the state and city regulations on that.

Local Insurance Info, Agents, & Companies in Texas


Government Contacts

The constitution of Texas admits complete autonomy to its local government units. There are 254 counties that comprise the state of Texas and has been that way since 1931. It is also made up of 1,196 municipalities, 1,089 public school districts, and 2,245 special districts.

The number of counties in Texas is the largest out of any state in the US. Each county is governed by a 5-member Commissioner's Court. Four of these commissioners were elected by a commissioner precincts and the final member is the county judge.

In smaller counties of Texas, the county judge performs judicial duties but their role is limited in larger counties to certifying elections. Other officials that govern the county are elected into position are the sheriff, treasurer, county clerk, attorney and tax collector. The budget for each county will be determined by the commissioner's court.

Texas is different from other states because it does not allow consolidated county-city governments. These two local government units may enter into an "interlocal agreement" to provide services to citizens.

See the main Texas Page for county links.

Anderson

Andrews

Angelina

Aransas

Austin

Bailey

Bastrop

Baylor

Bell

Bexar

Bowie

Brazoria

Brazos

Brewster

Brooks

Brown

Burnet

Caldwell

Calhoun

Cameron

Cass

Cherokee

Collin

Colorado

Comal

Comanche

Cooke

Coryell

Dallas

Dawson

Denton

Ector

El Paso

Ellis

Erath

Fayette

Fort Bend

Frio

Galveston

Gillespie

Gonzales

Gray

Grayson

Gregg

Grimes

Guadalupe

Hale

Hamilton

Hardin

Harris

Harrison

Hays

Hidalgo

Hill

Hockley

Hood

Hopkins

Houston

Howard

Hunt

Jasper

Jefferson

Jim Wells

Johnson

Kaufman

Kendall

Kerr

Kleberg

Lamar

Lamb

Lampasas

Lavaca

Liberty

Lubbock

Lynn

Matagorda

Maverick

Mclennan

Medina

Midland

Montgomery

Moore

Nacogdoches

Navarro

Newton

Nueces

Ochiltree

Orange

Panola

Parker

Pecos

Polk

Potter

Randall

Robertson

Rockwall

Rusk

Sabine

San Patricio

San Saba

Scurry

Smith

Starr

Sutton

Tarrant

Taylor

Terry

Titus

Tom Green

Travis

Val Verde

Victoria

Walker

Washington

Webb

Wharton

Wichita

Williamson

Wise

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