Rural Business Nest
Get the support your business needs!
Starting your small business can be hard, and it’s difficult to know where to start! With the Rural Business Nest below, we are here to provide you with the tools and trusted resources made for everyday business challenges. We’ve built this space to prepare and support you so your business can grow and be successful.
Our Rural Business Nest is your go-to hub for building, operating, and growing a rural business with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re a local foods producer, a hands-on entrepreneur, or a seasoned small business owner, the Nest offers practical tools, ready-to-use templates, and a reliable system to get your policies in place and your paperwork organized. Built for the unique challenges and opportunities of rural North Dakota, the Rural Business Nest helps you stay on track, meet requirements, and move your business forward—no fluff, just what works.
Inside the Rural Business Nest, you will find templates, checklists and step-by-step guides that make it easier to stay on track, meet local requirements, and focus on what matters most—growing your business with confidence!
Rural Business Nest
Employees
Gather current contact information for all of your employees
You must be able to contact and communicate with all of your employees in an emergency.
Develop and store human resources documentation
This includes things like an employee handbook, I-9 forms, and medical files. It is important that sensitive information is stored securely.
Store up-to-date payroll information
Ensure you have information about your payroll obligations on hand.
Permits and Licenses
Most businesses, vocations, and occupations operating within city, county, and state are required to have some form of a business license.
Apply for and store your
The topics addressed within this site will assist you in planning and establishing your business. You can get information about what you should do and what you need to do. This includes business planning, licensing, registering your business name, sales tax requirements, protecting your business, and other state requirements. This site will lead you to information on external sites, so you may want to bookmark this page. If you need further information about a specific topic, please contact the appropriate agency. North Dakota State Agencies are available to assist you.
Identify, apply for, and store necessary federal and state permits and licenses specific to your industry
An out-of-date or missing permit can be what keeps you from getting the help you need. Review the resources below to see if any of these special cases might apply to you.
Apply for and store your food handler’s permit
Make sure your business adheres to state food service guidelines. To be eligible for aid, you must be able to demonstrate proof of licensure in the food and personal care industries.
ND Child Care Services
- Establish contact with the health department and apply for all required licenses.
To be eligible for aid, you must be able to demonstrate proof of licensure in the food and personal care industries.
Acquire and store all necessary childcare licensing and documentation
To be eligible for aid, you must be able to demonstrate proof of licensure in the childcare industry.
Apply for and store your alcoholic beverage license
Obtain a North Dakota license for selling and/or serving alcoholic beverages. Ensure that your city and county licensing requirements are met.
Partners and Other Essential Relationships
Gather current contact information for all of the partners your business works with.
You need to be able to contact your partners when an emergency disrupts your relationship with them.
Save an up-to-date list of board members
Required non-profit documentation for grants and aid.
Gather current contact information for all governance and operational leadership
Establish a relationship with a lawyer or law firm
Having a relationship already established means you will not need to find legal assistance in the middle of a crisis.
Establish a relationship with a bank or banker
Having a relationship already established means you will not need to develop one in the middle of a crisis; loan programs like PPP, for example, were managed directly by banks.
Establish a relationship with a mortgage lender or landlord
Having a relationship already established makes applying or asking for relief simpler.
Establish a relationship with a bookkeeper or accountant
Whether it is you, a staff member, or an external contractor, someone must be able to provide accurate, up-to-date financial information.
Establish a relationship with an insurance agent
Having a relationship already established can help expedite any claims, as well as in producing documentation required for other relief programs.
Join a professional association and/or attend informal meetups
Develop relationships with your peers. You may have questions someone else in your industry can answer – a network is crucial, especially in an emergency.
Join the North Dakota Tourism Company as a member organization
The North Dakota Tourism Company provides support for businesses that have an impact on tourism.
Sign up for updates from Strong Farm Incubator
Online Assets
Ensure you can access your online platforms — from email to social media — securely from anywhere, not just at one physical location (like a computer in your office).
Create a website or social media presence for your organization, and register it via Google
Ensure clients, customers, or congregants can find you online.
Create an online payment or donation platform
Make it easy for community members to support your organization through a crisis.
Create a Facebook page or register for another online platform for broadcasting faith-based services
Even something as easy as Facebook Live can help you reach and stay in contact with congregants and continue worship services.
Important Records
Establish a plan for sustainability and take steps toward furthering your business or non-profit.
Collect and store mortgage or lease information
Secure up-to-date insurance information
Protect your organization with the right type of insurance.
Collect and save your IRS Determination Letter
Collect and store your 501(c)(3) annual reports
Collect and store proof of annual report submission
Document and store approved articles of organization
Document and store LLC Operating Agreement, if applicable.
An operating agreement is not a requirement, but, if you do have one, make sure a copy is accessible.
Document and store approved organizational bylaws
Establish the legal framework of your business or non-profit.
Disclaimer: Check your local city and county government to identify business basics, to meet local business regulations, and FAQs for North Dakota communities, as well as COVID-19 specific resources that may be available in your community.
Financial Records
This means securely storing company records, links, and passwords.
Secure your online banking and bank account information
Make sure you have access to your bank 24/7, especially if you cannot go in-person. In addition to online access, make sure you have secure, ready access to other bank account details.
Apply for and save your Employer ID number, or EIN
Store your organization’s W9
Learn how long you must retain your financial records
You need to maintain old financial records – in general, for at least 3 years – but the length of time can depend on different factors. Learn from the IRS how long you should maintain yours.
Collect and store copies of tax returns
Collect and store copies of non-profit 990s
You must be able to demonstrate you are a non-profit. Ensure that you file annually to protect your nonprofit status with the IRS.
Collect and store current and past financial statements
Record and save your organization’s annual budget
Collect and store copies of any recent audit reports
Store and regularly update both accounts payable and receivable information
Ensure you have easy access and up-to-date information on any financial liabilities, as well as to information on anything you are owed (but remember, depending on the crisis, that others may also be navigating financial challenges).
Regularly update and store profit and loss statements
You must have a profit and loss statement to be eligible for numerous types of financial aid.
Founder and Donor Information
You need to be able to contact your funders and donors when an emergency disrupts your relationship with them.
Store active grant documents and information
In addition to knowing up-to-date funding information and any expenditures, ensure you have contact information for a program officer and are aware of any deadlines or grant requirements which may be impacted by a crisis.
Save and store copies of your yearly charitable organization registration, renewal, or exemption request.
Nonprofits are required to refile every year in order to solicit donations.
Vendor and Contract Information
Save up-to-date contact information for vendors
You need to be able to contact your vendors when an emergency disrupts your relationship with them.
Save up-to-date account and contact information for utility providers
Securely store copies of signed contracts
It is important to store both a physical copy somewhere safe, as well as a backup copy in a digital location.
Customer or Client Information
You need to be able to contact your customers and clients when an emergency disrupts your relationship with them.
Cybersecurity
Ensure information you store or share online is secure.
Conduct a cybersecurity training for staff
You should ensure everyone with access to important information knows how to keep it secure.
Identify your organization’s tech support contact
The world has moved increasingly online; it is vital to know who will help you navigate any technical challenges, especially during a crisis.
Additional Emergency Preparation
Create an evacuation plan in case of fire, flood, tornado, or other sudden disaster
Being resilient means having a plan; ensure you and your team know what to do in case of an acute emergency.
Review other disaster preparedness toolkits
Completed your checklist? Check out these additional disaster and crisis preparedness resources. Resiliency is an ongoing process!
There is a community of support here for you in North Dakota!
For more information, contact:
Nancy Heskin Rakness
Director of Nonprofit Education
Other Helpful Resources
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Social & Business Enterprise (Maddock Opera House): A Rural Solution
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Entrepreneurship & Community (Nome Schoolhouse): A Rural Solution
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Resilient Communities Reflection Toolkit
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Strengthen ND’s Grant Writing Manual
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Strengthen ND’s Employee Handbook Template
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Grant Reference Book
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