Lodgehollow Funding Group compiled this list of public business resources for owners in New Bern, NC and Craven County: the state's small business advising network, the Secretary of State and Department of Revenue for registration, the SBA's North Carolina district office and Craven County government. Each entry says what it is for and whether its link was verified for this guide.
Advising: NC SBTDC
The North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center is the state's SBA-funded advising network. Its locations page lists the offices that serve each part of the state; use it to find the one assigned to Craven County. Ask the center what advising it offers and whether any fee applies; Lodgehollow has no affiliation with it.
Registering a Business: NC Secretary of State
For forming an LLC or corporation, filing annual reports and updating a registered agent, ask the Business Registration Division of the North Carolina Secretary of State. The annual report guide explains why funding partners check this record.
Sales Tax and Withholding Accounts With the NC Department of Revenue
For sales and use tax, withholding and other state tax accounts, ask the Department of Revenue; its business registration page is the starting point. Partners may ask for state tax filings on larger requests, so keep account numbers handy.
Federal Help: SBA North Carolina District Office
The U.S. Small Business Administration's North Carolina District Office page lists SBA programs, events and resource partners across the state. Lodgehollow does not arrange SBA loans, but the district office can explain them.
Craven County, NC Government
County services, including the tax office and planning for unincorporated areas, are reached through the Craven County website. For a Craven County business license or Craven County business personal property tax listing, start there and ask which applies to you.
Inside the Limits of New Bern, NC
For zoning, building permits and any city license questions on a property inside the city limits, ask the City of New Bern. The zoning and permits guide lists the questions to ask.
Community College and Local Business Groups
For the "Craven Community College business center" or a "small business center New Bern NC", contact the college directly to confirm what business services it offers; this guide does not describe them because they were not verified.
Which Office to Call First
- Forming or changing an LLC or corporation: the Secretary of State
- Collecting sales tax or withholding from employees: the Department of Revenue
- Writing a business plan or financial projections: the SBTDC
- Zoning or permits for a property: the city or county where the property sits
- A funding request for an operating business: Lodgehollow, by phone or form
Starting with the right office can save a round of referrals. When in doubt, ask the office directly whether the question belongs to them.
Link Status for This Guide
| Resource | Use it for | Link status |
|---|---|---|
| NC SBTDC locations | Advising and planning | Verified |
| Secretary of State filings (entity records) | Entity formation and annual reports | Verified |
| NC Department of Revenue, register a business | State tax accounts | Verified |
| SBA North Carolina District Office | Federal programs and partners | Verified |
| Craven County government | County tax and planning | Verified |
| City of New Bern | Zoning, permits, city questions | Pending human check |
| Nearest SBDC center, chamber, county EDO | Local advising and networking | Pending human check |
Employer Counts Behind These Offices in New Bern, NC
ZIP Code Business Patterns counted 664 employer establishments in ZIP 28560 in 2023, and County Business Patterns 2,224 across Craven County. The New Bern, NC data page breaks those down by sector, and the four-step request process explains how funding requests are handled once you are ready.
By Lodgehollow Funding Group · Updated