 |
|
Work on permitting continues with release of
entrepreneur’s guide
Pioneer Institute, Mayor Lang and the NBEDC announce
step by step guide
New Bedford Economic Development Council Staff
 New
Bedford, Massachusetts- With the recent release of a new
comprehensive guide to small business development in the
city of New Bedford, entrepreneurs have access to a
business friendly guide that will assist them in
navigating through the process of starting or growing
their company in New Bedford. The Pioneer Institute has
published “Navigating Through Regulations and Licensing
Requirements in New Bedford,” a step-by-step guide for
small business owners to meet government regulations.
“Small businesses are essential to New Bedford and we
are doing everything we can to make locating in New
Bedford an attractive option. This city offers many
opportunities for new innovative entrepreneurs looking
to break into the market as well as those existing and
expanding businesses that are looking to relocate to an
urban environment,” New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang
said. He continued, “Economic development is only
successful if you believe in creating employment
opportunities job by job, which means small businesses
are essential to New Bedford’s long term success.”
Mayor Lang presented the new guide, produced by Pioneer
Institute’s Center for Economic Opportunity with the
support of the New Bedford Economic Development Council,
on October 4 at a press conference in the Charles S.
Ashley Civic Meeting Room in New Bedford City Hall.
Pioneer Institute Executive Director Jim Stergios joined
the Mayor in presenting the guide.
“Navigating Through Regulations and Licensing
Requirements” simplifies the regulatory requirements for
more than 20 different types of businesses, from flower
shops to small restaurants to artists’ live/work space.
Local, state and federal requirements are presented in a
logical, concise way. The guide also includes a
comprehensive list of resources for business owners to
help them start or expand their company and hire new
employees.
“Small businesses form the roots of the urban economy,”
said Pioneer Director Stergios. “Are cities doing enough
to help them grow? Too often, government regulation can
be a real obstacle. New Bedford is fighting that by
making it easier for small business to expand.”
Jay Lanagan, invited to speak on behalf of the business
community said, “I would recommend this guide to anyone
starting a business. I wish I had it when we were
getting started – it’s a great tool.” Mr. Lanagan who is
in the process of opening a business downtown, added
“Working as partners to set up the Ale House, we really
could have used this guide as a checklist and for
managing the process. In the beginning we needed to know
which step to take next. The guide would have been a
great help.”
Matthew A. Morrissey, Executive Director of the New
Bedford Economic Development Council, commented, “Small
business makes up 95% of our lending. The NBEDC is doing
everything we can to support businesses and every step
we take is in that direction.”
The New Bedford guide is the latest in a series that
includes Boston, Lawrence, Quincy, Worcester,
Springfield, Lowell, and New Bedford. The Guide series
is part of Pioneer’s Center for Economic Opportunity’s
Middle Cities Initiative, which seeks to promote the
revitalization of Massachusetts’ cities. The initiative
focuses on education, public safety, effective
management, economic development and business creation
in the Commonwealth’s urban centers.
The Guide is presented in partnership with the City of
New Bedford, and the New Bedford Economic Development
Council and was produced by the Pioneer Institute with
support from the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation.
About Pioneer Institute:
Pioneer Institute is a non-partisan public policy
organization that seeks to enhance the quality of policy
debate in Massachusetts through the support,
distribution, and promotion of original research on
issues of urgent public concern.
October 11, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
