NYC Business Solutions

WHERE LESS IS MORE: 90 Days of Regulatory Reform, and How You Can Contribute

By Tokumbo Shobowale, Chief Business Operations Officer, City Hall, NYC

We are working to make government regulation easier, clearer, and faster for businesses. Our efforts are described in the first 90-day report of Mayor Bloomberg’s Business Customer Service Initiative. In June 2012, the Mayor began this initiative to make permanent his efforts to make New York City open for business.

Over the last two weeks, I’ve shared with you some of the things we’ve already done. Though developed to help businesses in fair weather, we’ve already seen how accelerating the regulatory process can be especially helpful in the wake of a devastating storm. As businesses continue to work hard to open, whether for the first time or after having been shut down by Sandy, we know that we have more work yet to do.

Here’s a summary of where we’re headed and how you can help us do more to help NYC businesses.

Where We’re Headed

The Business Customer Service Initiative promotes the goals of regulation while reducing its unintended consequences. We are lifting administrative burdens

Opening a New Restaurant or Other Food Retailer, or Reopening it after Sandy? Accelerate Inspections.

By Tokumbo Shobowale, Chief Business Operations Officer, City Hall, NYC

The New Business Acceleration Team (NBAT) offers new restaurants, grocery stores and other food establishments one point of contact for a half dozen agencies, and an accelerated, coordinated schedule of reviews and inspections.

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, the Team is offering its services to food-related businesses affected by the storm. An NBAT client manager can quicken the review and approval process as you rebuild and reopen your doors.

The New Business Acceleration Team is part of Mayor Bloomberg’s Business Customer Service Initiative, which aims to improve government from a business-centered perspective. Please let us know how we can make government easier, clearer, and faster for you.

Consider this column a new pair of scissors to help you cut red tape

Business owners often cite complying with government oversight as a difficult and “fraught with peril” process. Multiple mistakes, overlooked obligations, scheduling snafus, and red tape wrangling can all contribute to the time and expense of obtaining the required licenses, permits, certifications, and inspections.

New York City government knows

Posts tagged New Business Acceleration Team