Commerce Director Alba Martinez said that in the first 100 days of the administration, the city “reviewed 96 different permitting processes across 53 industries and identified several issues that need to be addressed.”
Martinez said the initial move will make it easier for small businesses to overcome food service hurdles. This will help “reduce unnecessary red tape, procedures, approvals and delays that businesses and city workers currently face.”
He said the city would “build a central digital platform where businesses can access relevant resources, information and training anytime, anywhere, providing customer-centric services that are responsive and supported by resourceful business advocates. We will provide it,” he added.
The changes include creating a specialized unit within the Mayor's Business Action Team that will focus on accelerating efforts to resolve permit, license, tax and payment issues.
There was applause when she added that one of her goals was to “accept credit cards and digital payments across city platforms.” This has never been done in the past and requires owners to come to City Hall with a check in hand to pay for something as simple as a permit to maintain a business' trash can.
The city is working with businesses to streamline the system, which Martinez said is especially important for small businesses started by disadvantaged groups.
“We know that these complexities disproportionately impact small businesses, independent contractors, minorities, women, and businesses owned by people with disabilities.”
Jennifer Rodriguez with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce said this is something these businesses have been asking for for years.
“If the government makes it easy for people to start and grow businesses, they can work and earn money,” Rodriguez said.
