A Guide to Starting a Business in Midland, Texas

Plenty of businesses here started as somebody’s side project with no idea where to file the paperwork. Midland has more free help for that than most people realize, and this is where it lives.

There is no single office that handles everything about starting a business in Midland. The work is split across a few organizations, and most of them will help you for free. Knowing which one does what saves the first month of guesswork.

Where to Get Free Advising

Two Small Business Development Centers serve Midland. Both are part of the Texas SBDC network, which means one-on-one business advising is offered at no cost and workshops are low-cost.

The Midland College Business & Economic Development Center is at 201 West Florida Street. It is the closest option for anyone working downtown or on the north side, and it runs advising alongside a schedule of workshops.

The UTPB Small Business Development Center is at 1400 North FM 1788, in CEED 1304. It sits west of town toward the airport corridor and serves the broader Permian Basin.

Advisors at both work with people at every stage: someone testing an idea, someone who has a business and needs help reading their own numbers, and someone preparing a loan package. Bring whatever you have, even if it is rough.

The Midland Chamber of Commerce

The Midland Chamber of Commerce has been operating since 1924 and is membership-based. What it offers a new owner is mostly access: networking events, training programs, ribbon cuttings, and a member directory that puts your business in front of other local businesses. The Chamber also manages the Barbara & George H.W. Bush Convention Center downtown, which is where a lot of its larger events happen.

Membership is a real line item, so it is worth talking to them about what tier makes sense at your stage rather than assuming you need the largest one. Their business resources section is a reasonable place to start reading before you commit.

Economic Development and Workforce

Midland Development Corporation maintains a small business resources section covering local programs, available property, and data about the local economy. If your plans involve a physical location, their site is a useful place to understand what is being built and where.

Workforce Solutions Permian Basin at 3510 North A Street, Building A, is the resource most new owners forget about until they need to hire. They handle job postings, applicant screening, labor market data, and in some cases training funds for new employees. Talking to them before you post your first job usually saves money.

The Statewide Steps

A few pieces of this are handled at the state and federal level rather than locally, and they are the same wherever in Texas you are:

• Business structure and registration goes through the Texas Secretary of State for an LLC or corporation. Sole proprietors operating under a name other than their own file an assumed name certificate at the county level.
• Sales tax is handled by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, which issues the sales and use tax permit most retail and service businesses need.
• Federal EIN comes from the IRS and is free to obtain directly.
• Local permits, including certificates of occupancy, sign permits, and health permits for food businesses, come through the City of Midland. Requirements depend on what you are doing and where, so call before you sign a lease on a space.

Your SBDC advisor can walk you through which of these actually apply to your situation, which is a good reason to book that appointment before you start filing anything.

Where to Actually Work From

Not every business needs a storefront on day one. If you are starting out solo or with a small team, our guide to coworking spaces in Midland covers the desks, offices, and meeting rooms available around town without a long lease.

If your plan is retail or food, it helps to see how other local owners here have set things up. Our guide to local makers and small brands in Midland is full of small, locally owned operations working at different scales.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there free help for starting a business in Midland, Texas?
Yes. Both the Midland College Business & Economic Development Center and the UTPB Small Business Development Center offer one-on-one business advising at no cost, plus low-cost workshops. Both are part of the Texas SBDC network.

Do I need to join the Midland Chamber of Commerce to start a business?
No. The Chamber is a voluntary membership organization. It offers networking, training, and directory visibility, but it is not a licensing or registration body and membership is not required to operate.

What permits do I need to open a business in Midland?
It depends on the business and the location. State-level items include registering the business entity with the Texas Secretary of State and getting a sales tax permit from the Texas Comptroller. Local items like a certificate of occupancy, sign permits, and food service permits go through the City of Midland. Confirm requirements before signing a lease.

Where do I get help hiring in Midland?
Workforce Solutions Permian Basin, at 3510 North A Street, Building A, handles job postings, applicant screening, and labor market information for employers in the region.

How do I register a business name in Texas?
An LLC or corporation is registered through the Texas Secretary of State. A sole proprietor or partnership operating under a name other than the owner’s legal name files an assumed name certificate with the county clerk.

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