Invitingly reminiscent of a small town in a Rockwell painting, Lititz offers the prefect balance between tradition and progressiveness.  Blessed with a heritage of hard work, an abundance of skilled labor, and an economic vibrancy, Lititz provides the ideal mix of resources and market diversity to ensure the success of your business.  This guide, Lititz:  Open for Business, is reflective of the larger effort by Venture Lititz, the community’s non-profit economic growth organization, to provide leadership and support to existing and potential businesses within the downtown and beyond.  

It is our hope that this publication will provide general guidance as to the process of business start-up, expansion, or relocation to the Borough.  In providing an outline of process, Lititz:  Open for Business highlights services and opportunities offered by Venture Lititz, the Lititz Borough government, and other state and local organizations that may prove helpful to realizing your current and/or future business goals.

Your success and satisfaction matters to us and we look forward to working with you to realize our collective dream for Lititz.  For additional information, contact Venture Lititz at (717) 626-6332.

Best wishes,
Venture Lititz Board of Directors

About Lititz Borough Municipal Government

The Borough of Lititz is a Pennsylvania municipal corporation with a Council / Manager / Mayor form of government.  The six-member Council is elected by wards and serves as the legislative body for Borough affairs.  The Mayor is elected at large and is responsible for maintaining the preservation of order, issuing directions to the police force, and participating in community celebrations.  The Borough Council appoints the Borough Manager as the chief administrative officer responsible for day-to-day operations.  
 
The following is the schedule of municipal meetings:

Borough Council  Last Tuesday of the Month 7:00 p.m.

Planning Commission  First Tuesday of the Month 7:00 p.m.

Zoning Hearing Board Third Monday of the Month 7:00 p.m.  

*All meetings are held at the Lititz Borough Office at 7 South Broad Street, Lititz, PA.  Additional information can be obtained by visiting the  Borough’s website at www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lititz.  

Business Development Checklist: 

1) Develop a written business plan.  Guidance on how to write a business plan can be obtained by contacting any of the following organizations:
 

Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE)
(717) 397-3092
Lancaster Chapter
www.scorelancaster.org
      
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry
(717) 397-3531
www.lcci.com

Duke Street Business Center
(717) 239-2131
Lancaster Public Library 
       
Family Business Center
Elizabethtown College
(717) 361-1275
www.etown.edu/FBC
 
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
(610) 683-4644
Kutztown University
www.kutztownsbdc.org
         
Center for Entrepreneurial Assistance  
PA Department of Community & Economic Development
(800) 280-3801

US Small Business Administration   
Philadelphia District Office
(215) 580-2722

2) Obtain demographic information, commercial real estate availability, and other informational assistance by contacting:

Research & Information Specialist
Lancaster County Planning Commission
Phone- (717) 299-8333
Fax- (717) 295-3659
www.co.lancaster.pa.us/planning
 

3) Determine zoning regulations, change of use requirements, accessibility requirements, building and sign permit requirements, and subdivision and land development regulations and processes. 

Lititz Zoning and Code Enforcement Office (Lititz Borough Office)
 
Lititz Borough Zoning Officer (initial contact)
Phone- (717) 626-2044
Fax- (717) 626-1329
www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lititz

4) Decide upon your business structure - sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or PA S corporation.   Contact the Pennsylvania Department of State at (717) 787-1057 for additional information concerning specific steps to be taken once a business structure has been selected 

5) Determine if you must register your fictitious name with the Pennsylvania Department of State.   A fictitious name is any assumed name, style, or designation other than the proper name of the person and / or entity using the name.  Contact the Pennsylvania Department of State at (717) 787-1057 for additional information.  Registration of a fictitious name can be completed on-line at www.paopenforbusiness.state.pa.us.

6) Obtain a federal employer identification number (EIN).  Every employer subject to employment taxes is required to obtain an EIN to identify his or her business with the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration.  Application for a federal EIN can be filed by telephone, fax, or mail.  The appropriate form can be downloaded from the IRS website, www.irs.gov, or obtained by calling the IRS Form Hotline at (800) 829-3676.  Telephone registration can be completed by calling (866) 816-2065.

7) Determine whether you are liable for the state unemployment compensation tax.  If you employ one or more persons, you may be liable for the state unemployment compensation tax and must register with the Bureau of Employer Tax Operations by completing a Pennsylvania Enterprise Registration Form and Instruction (PA-100).  This form can be obtained by contacting the PA Form Ordering Service at (800) 362-2050.  General questions can be directed to Lancaster Bureau of Employer Operations Field Accounting Service Office at (717) 299-7606.  

8) Contact the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau at (717) 569-4521 to determine any required registration requirements for local taxes.

9) Determine all applicable state tax liabilities.  Various taxes are imposed upon individuals, employers, businesses, and certain products. As a result of specific tax liabilities being dependent on the type and structure of the business, questions should be directed to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue at (717) 787-1064.

10) Obtain workers’ compensation insurance coverage for your employees.  In Pennsylvania, workers’ compensation insurance coverage is required if a person, company, or corporation has any full or part-time employees.  This includes family members, one-person corporations, and corporate officers.  For additional information, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry at (717) 772-3702 or visit their website at www.dli.state.pa.us.  

11) Work hard, prosper, and enjoy all the benefits of doing business in the Lititz community.

Services Offered by Venture Lititz:  

Given that Venture Lititz is an evolving organization, the list of services provided is continually expanding.  Please contact us at (717) 626-6332 to inquiry how we can be of assistance.  

Common Business-Related Pennsylvania State Licensing and Regulatory Agencies: 

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture 
www.pda.state.pa.us

Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services - 717-787-4315

Applicable Businesses

Food manufacturing firms

Warehouses storing food products

Retail food stores

Public eating and drinking establishments

Frozen dessert operations

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
www.lcb.state.pa.us

Brand registration - 717-787-5776

Liquor license - 717-787-8250

Malt beverage license (sell only) - 717-787-8250

Wholesale license (manufacture & sell) - 717-787-8250

Pennsylvania Department of State 
www.dos.state.pa.us
 

Professional and Occupational Affairs Bureau
717-787-8503
www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/site/default.asp

The Professional and Occupational Affairs Bureau is the professional and occupational licensing board for the state of Pennsylvania.  Visit the above website or call the above telephone number to determine the licensing requirements for your profession or occupation.   
 

Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners
717-795-7270
www.pabarexam.org

Closing- A Dream for Lititz:

On a lovely evening, I gather up my family for a short walk.  We head downtown.  The smell of chocolate and pretzels still linger in the air.  Many businesses are open and we stop to visit, to buy a gift for dad’s birthday, and just to window shop.  We love the new stores and galleries, but we also count on our old favorites.
 
A group of tourists just finished with dinner and returning to their lodgings, pause to chat with some local residents.  They marvel at our town.
 
After feeding the ducks at the park, we stroll along the creek and admire the new construction and the recent renovations.  We’re proud of how our expanded commercial area blends with the history and scale of our town.
 
Back on Main Street, the lights on the second floors begin to shine as residents settle in.  We run into neighbors who invite us to join them on Saturday for the community event that will fill this space.  Our walk almost over, I smile as I understand the essence of small town living.  This downtown in the heart of my community and holds a special place in my heart.

Our Mission:

To make the dream reality.  To enhance and sustain the social and commercial vibrancy of our downtown.