Selling a Business in Alpena County
Alpena County has 822 employer businesses, and 86% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows the local mix of industries and how a sale is handled here. The largest industries here are retail and repair, personal care and other services.
Areas in Michigan
LOCAL SNAPSHOT
Alpena County by the numbers
822
822
EMPLOYER BUSINESSES
86%
86%
SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE
1,849
1,849
BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES
10,141
10,141
EMPLOYMENT
$477 million
$477 million
ANNUAL PAYROLL
399
399
BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES
U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.
How Alpena County compares
Alpena County ranks 45th of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 1.0% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 11% of employer businesses in Alpena County, compared with 5% in Michigan.
399 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Alpena County ranks 45th of 83 Michigan counties and county equivalents for employer businesses.
The number of employer businesses grew 1.0% between 2018 and 2023.
Manufacturing makes up 11% of employer businesses in Alpena County, compared with 5% in Michigan.
399 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.
Industry mix
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 133 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 104 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 94 employer businesses
Manufacturing: 93 employer businesses
Construction: 92 employer businesses
The largest industries by number of employer businesses:
Retail: 133 employer businesses
Repair, personal care and other services: 104 employer businesses
Health care and social assistance: 94 employer businesses
Manufacturing: 93 employer businesses
Construction: 92 employer businesses
INDUSTRIES
What sells in Alpena County
Retail, repair, personal care and other services, health care and social assistance, manufacturing
Every kind of business we sell in Alpena County
These are the industries in Alpena County and the number of employer businesses in each. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Construction & Engineering
86 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
General Contracting: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
56 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Medical Practices
46 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Primary & Family Care: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Labs & Imaging: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
43 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Auto Repair: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
41 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Manufacturing
38 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
26 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Insurance Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Wealth Management: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
21 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
General Freight Trucking: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
20 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
18 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Gas Stations: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Entertainment & Recreation
12 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Bars & Pubs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
10 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Home Infusion: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Compounding Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
8 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Day Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Hair Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
8 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Education & Childcare
6 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Daycare Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
4 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Pet Services
4 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Home Services
3 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Residential Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Hospitality & Travel
3 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
These are the industries in Alpena County and the number of employer businesses in each. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Construction & Engineering
86 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
General Contracting: 41 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.
Plumbing: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.
HVAC Services: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Interior Finishing: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.
Electrical: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Landscaping: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Foundation & Site Prep: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.
Civil Engineering: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.
Roofing & Siding: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Restaurants & Food
56 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Full-Service Restaurants: 25 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Quick-Service & Fast Food: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Grocery Stores & Markets: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE + Inventory.
Coffee Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Medical Practices
46 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Primary & Family Care: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE.
Dental Practices: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Home Health & Hospice: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Medical Labs & Imaging: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Vision & Eye Care: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Veterinary Medicine: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 9.0x EBITDA.
Automotive & Boat
43 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Auto Repair: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.
Car Dealerships: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.
Collision Repair: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Auto Parts: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Car Washes: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.
Retail Stores
41 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Hardware, Garden & Building: 16 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE + Inventory.
Fashion, Apparel & Jewelry: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Health, Beauty & Pharmacy: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 4.2x EBITDA.
Home Decor & Furniture: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.2x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.
Sporting Goods & Firearms: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.4x SDE.
Manufacturing
38 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.8x SDE.
Metal Fabrication: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.2x - 4.2x SDE.
Construction Materials Manufacturing: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.1x - 4.5x SDE.
Printing & Plastics: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.9x - 4.9x SDE.
Financial & Professional Services
26 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Insurance Agencies: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 6.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.
Wealth Management: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.7x - 4.0x Recurring Revenue.
Accounting & Tax Practices: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.
Real Estate Brokerages: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Logistics & Transportation
21 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
General Freight Trucking: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.44x - 3.45x SDE.
Last-Mile & Courier: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.76x - 3.32x SDE.
Heavy Haul Transport: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x SDE.
Wholesale & Distribution
20 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Industrial & Construction Supply: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Food & Beverage Distribution: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE.
Gas Stations & Convenience
18 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Gas Stations: 15 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Convenience Stores: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.5x SDE + Inventory.
Entertainment & Recreation
12 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Bars & Pubs: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Clubs & Lounges: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.
Outdoor Recreation: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.
Pharmacies & Medical Supply
10 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Home Infusion: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Compounding Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.5x EBITDA.
Specialty Pharmacies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 6.5x EBITDA.
Beauty & Personal Care
8 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Day Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.
Tattoo Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Massage Parlors: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.
Hair Salons: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.
Senior Care & Living
8 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Non-Medical Home Care: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.
Assisted Living Facilities: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Real Estate.
Education & Childcare
6 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Daycare Centers: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.
Energy & Utilities
4 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Propane & Fuel Distribution: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA + Assets.
Pet Services
4 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Pet Grooming & Spas: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.0x SDE.
Boarding, Daycare & Training: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x EBITDA.
Home Services
3 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Residential Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.6x SDE.
Commercial Cleaning: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.47x - 4.11x EBITDA.
Hospitality & Travel
3 related employer businesses in Alpena County.
Working with owners in Alpena County
Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Alpena County. Contact us to talk about a sale.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions owners in Alpena County ask
How long does it take to sell a business in Alpena County?
The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers.
How is a business valued in Alpena County?
Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.
Is the sale confidential?
Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.
FROM OUR BLOG
Guides for owners in Alpena County
October 3, 2025
Business Owners
Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On
Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.
Read article
October 3, 2025
Business Owners
Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On
Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.
Read article
March 5, 2026
Business Owners
Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close
Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.
Read article
March 5, 2026
Business Owners
Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close
Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.
Read article
February 9, 2026
Business Owners
The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why
The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.
Read article
February 9, 2026
Business Owners
The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why
The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.
Read article