Business Resources

The City of Garland promotes the unique character of the district through redevelopment and revitalization of Downtown, historic preservation, and community involvement. The Downtown Historic District Revitalization Program (DHDRP) serves to promote investment and local economic development, stimulate business and commercial activity, help attract visitors and tourists to the district and Garland as a whole, and benefit the City and its citizens. 

To learn more about DHDRP and how it can support your business, reach out to the DDO to schedule a meeting. 

Ready to apply to the program? Click here. 

The district hosts a variety of celebrations throughout the year, providing the perfect platform to showcase your products and services. Engage with the community through exciting events such as:

• MLK Parade and March
  • Limited street closures
• Big Art Day- Traditionally held in the Spring
• “Music Made Here” Concert Series- First Friday of every month
• 4th of July Celebrations on the Square
  • Full downtown street closures during event
• A Garland Christmas on the Square
  • Attendance: 10,000
  • Full downtown street closures before, during and after event

Garland’s Central Library is currently undergoing construction. In the interim, the Central Library is serving the community from a temporary location at 713 Austin Street in downtown. Here you can find a wide array of resources and tools to assist you and your business.

Services & Facilities

Garland Libraries provide crucial technology small businesses and entrepreneurs can employ. All services are free to cardholders except as indicated:

• Networked computers with Internet and Microsoft Office access
• Printer (B&W 15₵/page, Color 50₵/page)
• Copy machines (15₵/page)
• Laptop computers for in-house use
• Mobile Internet hotspots available for checkout and use in home or business
• Document scanning for print or email
• Fax service at South Garland Branch ($1.75 1^st page, $1.00/ page thereafter)

Study rooms

• South Garland and North Garland Library offer 4-6 person study rooms suitable for meetings and interviews.
• Central Library and the new West Garland Library will also offer study rooms when open starting in 2025.

Central Library, when reopened in 2025, will feature lots of unique useful space and technology for small businesses:

• Makerspace, including 3D Printing and other exciting new technology;
• Recording studio; and
• Small Business Incubator space, including dedicated computers and networked TV for online meetings.

Print Resources

The Garland Libraries offers a variety of books to help you start and run your small business. Most of these books can be checked out and used in your home or office. Topics include:

• Accounting: bookkeeping, handbooks, QuickBooks manuals
• Advice for women entrepreneurs
• Branding
• Business math
• Business plans
• Business writing
• Computing for your business
• Productivity software: Windows, MS Office, Photoshop
• Programming: C++, Python, Java, SQL, Perl, and others
• Web programming: HTML5, JavaScript, WordPress
• Social media: Facebook, Twitter
• Devices: iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, PC setup & troubleshooting
• Certification guides: CCNA, CompTIA, Network+
• Legal Forms: business tax guides, legal guides for managers and employees, including issues such as discrimination/harassment and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)      
• Financing: grants and fundraising
• General Business
• Human Resources: hiring and firing, creating employee handbooks, conducting interviews, addressing problem employees
• Internet Marketing: Facebook advertising, Google AdWords, Twitter, Pinterest
• Marketing and public relations
• Mentoring and leadership manuals
• Project management
• Sales and customer service
• Starting a home-based business
• Starting and running nonprofits
• Time management

Online Resources

• Go to Library.GarlandTX.gov
• Click on Online Resources
• Click on Business & Legal Resources
• Click on the resource you need
• Enter your library card number and your PIN

A to Z Databases

A to Z databases are ideal for sales leads, mailing lists, market research, employment opportunities, background searches, and more.

Adult Learning Center

Obtain assistance with career goals, business writing, resumes, and Microsoft Office software. Service includes tutors to assist you from 3 to 10 p.m.

Business Plans Handbook (Gale Virtual Reference Library) 

Actual business plans compiled by and aimed at entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses. Provides sample plans taken from businesses in several industries. 

Gale Business: Entrepreneurship

Provides resources for start-ups, small business owners, and entrepreneurs.

Gale Business: Insights Global

Provides news, articles, and research on global business.

Universal Class

Take a self-paced, continuing education course online. These instructor-led courses include MS Office applications, Small Business Guide, How to Start and Run an Online Business, How to Write a Business Plan, Marketing for Small Business, and many others.

Legal Forms (Gale)

Downloadable/printable Texas and federal legal forms.

Mango Languages

Online language learning tool with practical, real conversations in over 60 languages.

The Downtown Development Office (DDO) is committed to seeing your business succeed as part of our district. Throughout the year, DDO invites businesses to participate in marketing efforts, downtown events and offers incentives aimed at driving traffic to downtown. 

Want to learn more? Contact us directly at: downtown@garlandtx.gov or call (972) 205-2324.

Have an event you want promoted? Add your event to our Downtown Garland calendar here. 

Don’t forget to follow us @DowntownGarlandDistrict on Facebook, tag us in your posts and use #DowntownGarland so we can share your info/posts. 

The City of Garland aims to make operating a business as easy as possible. Below you will find links to city departments who can assist you with questions you may have concerning power and utilities, waste management, commercial services and more. 

Economic Development

Garland Chamber of Commerce

Commercial Services

Ordinances and Enforcement

Garland Power and Light

Garland City Services Map