Unlock the Possibilities
Revitalizing a downtown or neighborhood commercial district requires focusing on the underlying economic vitality of the district. The work is rooted in harnessing local economic opportunity and creating a supportive business environment for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
The Ohio Secretary of State provides tools to guide you in starting a new business. To start and manage your business online, visit the Secretary of State’s Ohio Business Filings page.
Bringing your idea to market may require additional training. Classes and information ore offered at these area sites:
Defiance Main Street & Visitors Bureau
325 Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-0739
visitdefianceohio.com
Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce
400 Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-7946
defiancechamber.com
Small Business Development Center – Northwest State Community College
22600 OH-34
Archbold, OH 43502
419-267-1361
sba.gov
Defiance College
701 N. Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-4010
defiance.edu
Defiance Public Library
320 Fort St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-1456
defiancelibrary.org
Four County Career Center – Adult Ed
22900 OH-34
Archbold, OH 43502
419-267-3331
fourcounty.net
Ohio Means Jobs – Defiance County
1300 E. Second St. Suite 202
Defiance, Ohio 43512
419-784-3777
Financial Resources
Citizens National Bank
601 E. Second St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-2032
cnbohio.com
Farmer’s & Merchants State Bank
1175 Hotel Drive
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-9421
fm-bank.com
Fifth Third Bank
702 N. Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-1509
53.com
First Federal Bank of the Midwest
601 Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-5130
first-fed.com
Huntington Bank
405 W. Third St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-5050
huntington.com
Key Bank
414 Second St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-785-8431
locations.key.com
Midwest Community Federal Credit Union
08770 OH-66
Defiance, Ohio 43512
419-783-6500
midwestcommunity.org
Sherwood State Bank
400 W. Third St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-0088
sherwoodstatebank.com
State Bank
401 Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-783-8950
yourstatebank.com
Woodforest National Bank
1804 N. Clinton St.
Defiance, Ohio 43512
419-782-4130
woodforest.com
Government Resources:
Special funding and resources are occasionally available.
City of Defiance – City Administrator
City of Defiance Offices
631 Perry St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-2101
cityofdefiance.com
Maumee Valley Planning Organization
1300 E. Second St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-3882
mvpo.org
Real Estate
Butler Real Estate
301 Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-4500
Coldwell Banker/Sigg Realty
840 N. Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-1685
Northwest Real Estate
618 Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-0615
Osborne & Associates
1012 Ralston Ave.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-7916
Realty 5
503 Jefferson Ave.
Defiance, OH 43512
1-888-766-8627
RE/MAX Realty of Defiance
1401 S. Jefferson Ave.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-3029
Sam Switzer Realty
322 Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-4116
Welles Bowen Realtors
905 N. Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-8216
Inspections, Permits, & Licenses
Building Inspection
The City Building Inspection Division is the first stop for anyone purchasing or renting a building for use. You must determine if the building is zoned appropriately for the type of use that will be taking place in the building. Based on that determination, you will either be approved or directed to apply for a zoning change. Upon zoning approval, the Defiance Fire Department should be called for a safety inspection.
Building Inspection Department
419-784-2795
Defiance Fire Department
419-782-2771
cityofdefiance.com
Permits
Permits are required to demolish, alter, or repair any existing structure. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, siding, window replacement, concrete, and paving all require permits. Contractors performing this work within city limits must be registered with the city. Ensuring all permits are obtained is the property owner’s responsibility. Permits for commercial buildings must be acquired through the State of Ohio.
Building Department, City Hall Building
419-784-2195
cityofdefiance.com
Ohio Board of Building Standards
614-544-2613
Board of Building Standards
Sign Permits
Defiance has a sign code for the community and one specific to the Downtown area. An approval and permit for all new signs placed on buildings is required.
Building Department, City Hall Building
419-784-2195
cityofdefiance.com
Vendor’s License
The County Auditor issues the vendor’s license. The vendor’s license is for a business with a permanent location. For each location, a separate license must be obtained. The fee is $25.00.
Defiance County Courthouse
Defiance County Auditor’s Office
419-782-1926
Transient Vendor’s License
A transient vendor’s license is issued directly by the Ohio Department of Taxation to a vendor with no fixed place of business. The fee for a transient vendor’s license is $25.00. Service companies and delivery vendors also need a vendor’s license.
Ohio Department of Taxation
614-466-7350
tax.ohio.gov/business.aspx
Ohio Liquor License
There are three ways to obtain an application for Ohio Liquor License:
Call: 614-644-2431
Write: Licensing Office
6066 Tussing Road
P.O. Box 4005
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Include a self-addressed envelope.
Online: com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/liquor-control/liquor-control
Employer’s Identification Number (EIN):
The Internal Revenue Service requires an EIN for any business with employees. Also known as Federal Tax Identification Number.
Defiance Main Street & Visitors Bureau
(Marketing training materials to loan)
325 Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-0739
Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce
(Networking, training, newsletter, and group rates)
400 Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-7946
defiancechamber.com
Local Publications
Crescent-News
(Local newspaper)
624 Second St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-5441
crescent-news.com
Front Porch Publishing
(Living Today and Boomers Today local magazines)
312 Fourth St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-630-6240
frontporchpublishing.com
The Hubbard Company
(Happenings Defiance magazine)
612 Clinton St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-4455
Local Radio
Utilities and Services
Defiance Utilities Billing Office
631 Perry St. Suite 101
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-1946
cityofdefiance.com
Werlor Waste Control Garbage Pick-up
1420 Ralston Ave.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-784-4285
werlor.com
Toledo Edison
P.O. Box 507
Defiance, OH 43512
800-447-3333
firstenergycorp.com
Ohio Gas Company
200 W. High St.
Bryan, OH 43506
419-636-1117 or 800-331-7396
ohiogas.com
LP Services
Blue Flame/Suburban Propane
2111 Baltimore St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-1412
suburbanpropane.com
Baker’s Propane
1914 Spruce St.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-7906
bakersgas.com
Internet, Phone, & Cable Services
Bright Net – Henry County
N012 County Road 17D
Okolona, OH 43545
419-599-1893 or 800-633-6245
bright.net
Centurylink
877-862-9343
centurylink.com
Frontier Communications
855-289-5944
frontierbundles.com/internet
Metalink
417 Wayne Ave.
Defiance, OH 43512
419-782-3472 or 888-999-8002
metalink.net
Saabright.net, Inc. — Defiance, Paulding, and Williams counties
27932 Watson Road
Defiance, OH 43512
419-395-7766 or 888-438-8436
Spectrum
2010 Jefferson Ave.
Defiance, OH 43512
800-892-2253