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City streamlines permitting process
New Bedford is making its permitting process faster and
more efficient in order to expand and attract businesses
New Bedford Economic Development Council
 Cumbersome
permitting processes frequently delay or permanently
halt development projects. States and municipalities
throughout the nation have taken measures to lessen the
impediments that have long constrained development. In
Massachusetts, an Act Relative to Streamlining and
Expediting the Permitting Process was passed in 2006.
To emphasize the importance of streamlining permitting
in Massachusetts, Governor Duval Patrick’s FY 2008
budget contains funding for permitting assistance with
$4 million earmarked for streamlining permitting through
the new Mass Permit Regulatory Office.
In October, New Bedford began weekly “First Stop”
meetings which give citizens seeking a permit the
opportunity to receive advice from relevant department
representatives at the start of the process.
Each citizen is allowed 20 minutes to present their
project and ask questions.
Providing the answers and other advice are members of
the newly formed Permitting Task Force, comprised of
representatives from city departments and boards
involved in the permit approval process. These include
city planning, inspectional services, public
infrastructure, fire department, health department, and
the offices of city solicitor and community development.
The task force is charged with determining methods to
improve the city’s permitting process including studying
other municipalities in order to learn of best
practices.
Mayor Scott W. Lang gives this two-pronged, streamlining
initiative high praise.
“This will allow us to simplify a sometimes cumbersome
process that everyone from the average citizen to the
major developer must adhere to in order to build or
relocate. A streamlined process benefits both the city
and developers, saving time and energy for city
employees and for businesses and potential investors in
New Bedford’s economy,” he said.
“A comprehensive meeting at the beginning of the process
helps to alleviate some of the common misunderstandings
that can occur with any permitting process,” said City
Planner David Kennedy.
Citizens interested in presenting their projects to the
Permitting Task Force at a First Stop meeting should
call (508) 979-1488 to schedule an appointment.
Another helpful tool in the city’s permitting process is
“Navigating Through Regulations and Licensing
Requirements in New Bedford,” a newly published guide
produced by The Pioneer Institute’s Center for Economic
Opportunity with the support of the New Bedford Economic
Development Council.
The guide simplifies the regulatory requirements for
more than 20 types of businesses and presents local,
state and federal requirements in a concise and logical
way.
Resources are also listed in the book to help business
owners start or expand a company as well as hire
employees.
“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,” said Matthew A. Morrissey, NBEDC
executive director at a press conference to announce the
guide’s release.
Added Jim Stergios, the Pioneer Institute’s director,
“Too often government regulations can be a real
obstacle. New Bedford is fighting that by making it
easier for small businesses to expand.”
The guide is available on the home page of the NBEDC
website at www.nbedc.org.
Since the release of the Guide, the Mayor’s office and
the NBEDC have received many requests for the Guide
including real estate agents, bankers, business
counselors, and entrepreneurs. |
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