What doesn’t the city get Applebee’s to come here?

I get this question so much from our citizens. While most of our citizens would love for the city to bring in a great chain, sit-down restaurant, it is not the city’s place to open private businesses. While we can encourage businesses to locate here through things like good customer service at City Hall, Bainbridge operates under a free enterprise system and each investor must decide for himself whether or not Bainbridge would be a good place for business.

We certainly encourage new business in our town. If you’re interested in opening a business in the City of Bainbridge, there are a few steps that you must take.

First, and most importantly, you must find out if the location where you’d like to open your business is in the correct zone. Then, you need to check setback requirements. You can do both of these through the City’s Planning and Zoning director.

After you’ve checked this, contact the Building Inspector to get any permits you may need.

Finally, you’ll need to apply for your Occupational Tax Certificate. For more detailed information on how to open a business in Bainbridge, please contact the city’s Community Development Division at 248-2000.

Sincerely,
Mayor Edward Reynolds