GRESHAM LAUNCHES SMALL-BUSINESS INCENTIVES, ONLINE HELP CENTER, TO BOOST LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS
Posted: February 17th, 2010 4:26 PM
GRESHAM – New or expanding small businesses in Gresham's key commercial districts could qualify for a yearlong "fee holiday" as part of a package of new City initiatives aimed at filling empty storefronts and helping small businesses survive tough economic times.
The small-business assistance package – unveiled by Mayor Shane Bemis in his State of the City speech Wednesday – also features:
• A new Small Business Center website, chock full of helpful resources and tips, including a How-to-Start-a-Business Guide, information on licensing and fees, and a business-needs survey. Find it at www.GreshamOregon.gov/SmallBusiness
• A new Small Business Coordinator who will be available by phone, or at the City's Permit Services area, to help facilitate small-business start-up or expansion.
• Reduced first-time business license fees citywide, to be considered by the City Council in March.
To encourage small businesses to open or expand in the Downtown, Civic Neighborhood and central Rockwood areas, the city has proposed waiving all development-related fees and first-year business-license fees for qualifying owners – and paying applicable system development charges on behalf of those businesses.
To qualify under the proposal, owners would have to receive certificates of occupancy for existing vacant commercial space before March 31, 2011, among other requirements. New or expanded businesses of up to 4,000-square-feet of space would be eligible. Other restrictions would apply.
"If you have the next great idea and are ready to bring it to market, we are here today to tell you that we are going to get out of your way," Bemis told the business community in his speech.
The City already offers same-day, "fast-track" permits for certain simple commercial tenant improvements, as well as other programs designed to keep and attract new industry.
Now, by offering more small-business relief and assistance, City officials hope to encourage owners to open or expand in areas where vacancies are perceived to be higher, said Eric Schmidt, the City's Community Development Director. That means helping them get licensed, permitted and open as quickly and easily as possible.
"We are trying to encourage anyone who is on the fence about opening or expanding a business to make that leap of faith," Schmidt said. "We are looking for ways in which the city can help small businesses survive and thrive in the community."
The City plans to cover the cost of the incentive programs by making other reductions in City budgets. "We see it as a strategic short-term potential loss for the city, in exchange for a longer-term gain" of a stronger small-business sector, Schmidt said.
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