Otterview Commercial Capital, a small-business funding service in Canton, Ohio, helps owners across Stark County, OH. This page gathers public Census figures on the county's businesses: 8,181 employer establishments in 2023, 46.8% of them with fewer than five employees, retail the largest sector by establishments and manufacturing the largest by payroll. It also shows where funding questions about licenses, permits and buying a business lead.
| Employer establishments, Stark County, OH | 8,181 (CBP 2023) |
|---|---|
| Under 5 employees | 46.8% |
| Nonemployer businesses | 29,520 (NES 2024) |
| Largest payroll sector | Manufacturing, about $1.50 billion |
Small business in Stark County, OH by the numbers
Stark County, OH counted 8,181 employer establishments in 2023, employing 139,706 people with an annual payroll of about $7.10 billion (U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023). Small firms are the norm: 3,825 establishments (46.8%) had fewer than five employees, and another 1,677 had five to nine. Only 17 had 500 or more (14 with 500 to 999 plus 3 with 1,000 or more, our arithmetic).
Many more businesses have no payroll at all. The county had 29,520 nonemployer businesses in 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau, Nonemployer Statistics 2024), led by Transportation and Warehousing (3,810), Other Services (3,412), Construction (3,238) and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (3,192). Nonemployer and employer counts come from different programs and years, so they are shown side by side here, not added together.
Which sectors carry the county
| Sector | Establishments | Paid employees | Share under 5 employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Trade | 1,179 | 20,169 | 32.7% |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 1,011 | 27,612 | 34.3% |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 980 | 7,338 | 57.1% |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 818 | 15,771 | 22.4% |
| Construction | 747 | 6,361 | 67.5% |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 636 | 4,881 | 67.9% |
| Manufacturing | 465 | 23,609 | 24.9% |
Manufacturing has fewer locations than retail but the biggest paychecks: about $1.50 billion in annual payroll, ahead of health care at about $1.45 billion (U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023). The sector pages for restaurants and cafes, auto repair shops and medical practices show how the largest local industries use funding; all fourteen are on the industries page.
Self-employment in Canton, OH compared with the county
About 5.7% of employed Canton, OH residents (margin of error 1.2 points) are self-employed, compared with 8.0% (margin 0.5) across Stark County, OH and 8.1% statewide (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates). The city and county ranges do not overlap, so the city share is lower. In the county, 3.4% of employed residents run incorporated businesses and 4.6% unincorporated ones.
Downtown ZIP 44702 at a glance
ZIP 44702, which lies wholly inside Canton, OH, had 239 employer establishments in 2023 with 3,139 paid employees and about $172.5 million in annual payroll (U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns 2023). Professional, scientific and technical firms (40) and health care providers (37) were the largest groups, and 33 establishments were legal services, which is why our law firm page and law firm financing post look closely at downtown practices. ZIP figures describe a postal area, not the whole city: Canton, OH spans a dozen ZIP codes.
Building activity that contractors feel
Residential building permits in Stark County, OH authorized 509 new housing units in 2023, 528 in 2024 and 643 in 2025 (U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey). For builders and trades, more permitted units mean more jobs to staff and supply before the draws arrive. The contractor page covers that cash cycle, and the Canton, OH zoning and permits guide explains which office to ask before a lease or build-out.
Do you need a business license in Ohio?
What a business license in Ohio is, how much one costs and how to look up an Ohio business license number depend on the activity and the issuing office. We do not give legal answers on registrations or licenses; confirm with each office, starting with the city of Canton, OH website (cantonohio.gov) for local requirements.
Buying a Canton, Ohio business that is for sale
Owners searching for a Canton, Ohio business for sale may need acquisition funding next. A purchase is financed like any term loan, but the partner studies the target's tax returns and cash flow as closely as yours. Ask the seller for three years of financials early.
Otterview's address
Otterview Commercial Capital, 401 Dewalt Ave NW, Canton, OH 44702. Phone (330) 208-9750. Requests are handled by phone and online; see the contact page for details. Owners in nearby towns can start from the service-area list.
Who Otterview Commercial Capital works with in Canton, OH
Otterview Commercial Capital works with Canton, OH businesses of most kinds; contractors and construction trades, restaurants and food service, medical and dental practices and retailers and wholesalers that carry stock are common examples. The partner, not the industry, makes the decision.
Paperwork partners commonly ask for
- Recent business bank statements (partners often ask for three to six months)
- A year-to-date profit and loss statement and balance sheet
- A driver's license or passport for each owner
- Your articles of organization or incorporation and the EIN letter
- A list of existing business debts and payments
- The equipment quote, contract or purchase order the funding is for
Each lending partner sets its own list, so treat this as a starting point.
The steps after your first call
- You call (330) 208-9750 or send the short request form. When we speak, we go over what the money is for, how long you have been in business and roughly what the business brings in.
- We explain which funding types fit that use and what partners usually need to see. Nothing is submitted without your go-ahead.
- Once you agree, the request goes to partners that provide that type of funding. The credit decision belongs to each partner.
- When an offer arrives, weigh its full cost, how payments are scheduled and the conditions. Accepting is entirely your choice.
Everything can be handled by phone or online from Canton, OH.
By Otterview Commercial Capital · Updated