“Business Made Easy' gets qualified response” |
Business Made Easy' gets qualified response Posted: 01 Feb 2011 03:54 PM PST Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011
Local authorities key in permitting, but O'Malley plan 'sets a good tone'A new state initiative to streamline the permitting process and simplify regulations is a good idea, but it might not help some small companies right off the bat, some business leaders said this week. "I'm encouraged by it. It sets a good tone for us," said Thomas M. Farasy, president of real estate development business Terra Verde Communities and past president of the Maryland State Builders Association. "But one problem is that a lot of our permits come from local authorities, not state government." Other permits come from the Maryland Department of the Environment, where much of the process is delegated by the federal government, Farasy said. But the state program could influence local and federal entities to expedite their processes, he said. The program, Business in Maryland Made Easy, was unveiled Friday by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) as he introduced members of the newly formed Governor's Commission on Small Business. Because the permitting process can sometimes cause cost overruns and expensive delays for projects, greater coordination of permits and a focus on eliminating and reducing barriers are most welcome, said Jorge A. Restrepo, CEO of Rockville marketing research and analysis firm EurekaFacts. He was one of four Montgomery County residents named to the 17-member panel. "For small businesses, this is a process that is difficult to navigate, so any progress in this area is big progress," Restrepo said. While the permitting issue is not currently affecting EurekaFacts, it could as the company grows, he said. The last time the company moved, one of the permits was incomplete, resulting in a delay of the move day, Restrepo said. "That did generate additional costs for us," he said. Some changes on the state level already have occurred, such as the State Highway Administration's recent change of its permit review process. Among the plans: The Department of Business and Economic Development and the Department of Information Technology will form a centralized online system for business permits and licenses. "One of the core strategies of the Department of Business and Economic Development is to make it easier for business to do business," Christian Johansson, the agency's secretary, said in a state video. "Obviously, it's critical as a state that we coordinate across agencies." Streamlining access permits for development and construction often came up during discussions with Maryland business owners, he said. Foreclosures and financing are other big issues to many developers, said Farasy, whose company specializes in transit-related, multifamily and green projects. One current project is the Mosaic at Turtle Creek, a condominium complex adjacent to the University of Maryland, College Park. The other three Montgomery County residents on the commission are Barbara I. Berschler, a lawyer with Press, Potter & Dozier; Manuel Hidalgo, executive director of the Latino Economic Development Corp.; and Wonro Lee, CEO of JG Merchant Sales and Services and JG Telecommunications. Two are from Prince George's County: Riche Holmes Grant, president of Innovative Study Techniques; and retired Air Force Maj. James A. Dula, executive director of Image Consulting Group. Two are Howard County residents: Deborah Stallings, CEO of HR Anew, who represents the state on the President's Commission on Small Business and chairs the Maryland Chamber of Commerce's small-business committee; and Annie Geiermann, senior vice president for community business banking with The Columbia Bank, an affiliate of Fulton Financial with headquarters in Columbia. Frederick Mayor Randy McClement, co-owner of The Market Bagel and Deli and past president of the Frederick Chamber of Commerce, also is on the panel. The commission plans to hold meetings across Maryland to meet with as many small-business owners as possible, Chairman Ackneil Muldrow II of Baltimore, CEO of Parker Muldrow and Associates, said in a state video interview. "Our focus is to come up with ideas and mechanisms and suggestions of how we can grow small businesses in Maryland," Muldrow said. "They are a critical part of our economy." Other commission members: Karen Barbour of Carroll County, president of The Barbour Group, an independent insurance agency. Marilyn Blandford of Queen Anne's County, president and CEO of Miltec Corp., which distributes and manufactures ultraviolet equipment and components. Roland O. Campbell of Baltimore County, president and CEO of ROC Inc., a real estate company. Edward L. Dopkin, owner and president of Classic Catering People and Miss Shirley's Cafés, and owner of Roland Park Bagel Co. and S'ghetti Eddie's. Jay A. Steinmetz of Baltimore, CEO and founder of Barcoding Inc. Wayne Strausburg of Wicomico County, president of Hall Consulting and Management and the English Co., a restaurant and real estate investment company. William L. Yerman of Baltimore, founding member of Real Estate Title and Escrow. kshay@gazette.net This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
You are subscribed to email updates from Content Keyword RSS To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 |
No comments:
Post a Comment