Work on Permitting Continues with Release of Entrepreneur’s Guide

Pioneer Institute, Mayor Lang and the NBEDC Announce Step by Step Guide
New Bedford Economic Development Council Staff

New Bedford, Massachusetts- With the recent release of a new comprehensive guide to small business development in the city of New Bedford, entrepreneurs have access to a business friendly guide that will assist them in navigating through the process of starting or growing their company in New Bedford. The Pioneer Institute has published “Navigating Through Regulations and Licensing Requirements in New Bedford,” a step-by-step guide for small business owners to meet government regulations.
“Small businesses are essential to New Bedford and we are doing everything we can to make locating in New Bedford an attractive option. This city offers many opportunities for new innovative entrepreneurs looking to break into the market as well as those existing and expanding businesses that are looking to relocate to an urban environment,” New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang said. He continued, “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.”
Mayor Lang presented the new guide, produced by Pioneer Institute’s Center for Economic Opportunity with the support of the New Bedford Economic Development Council, on October 4 at a press conference in the Charles S. Ashley Civic Meeting Room in New Bedford City Hall. Pioneer Institute Executive Director Jim Stergios joined the Mayor in presenting the guide.
“Navigating Through Regulations and Licensing Requirements” simplifies the regulatory requirements for more than 20 different types of businesses, from flower shops to small restaurants to artists’ live/work space. Local, state and federal requirements are presented in a logical, concise way. The guide also includes a comprehensive list of resources for business owners to help them start or expand their company and hire new employees.
“Small businesses form the roots of the urban economy,” said Pioneer Director Stergios. “Are cities doing enough to help them grow? Too often, government regulation can be a real obstacle. New Bedford is fighting that by making it easier for small business to expand.”
Jay Lanagan, invited to speak on behalf of the business community said, “I would recommend this guide to anyone starting a business. I wish I had it when we were getting started – it’s a great tool.” Mr. Lanagan who is in the process of opening a business downtown, added “Working as partners to set up the Ale House, we really could have used this guide as a checklist and for managing the process. In the beginning we needed to know which step to take next. The guide would have been a great help.”
Matthew A. Morrissey, Executive Director of the New Bedford Economic Development Council, commented, “Small business makes up 95% of our lending. The NBEDC is doing everything we can to support businesses and every step we take is in that direction.”
The New Bedford guide is the latest in a series that includes Boston, Lawrence, Quincy, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, and New Bedford. The Guide series is part of Pioneer’s Center for Economic Opportunity’s Middle Cities Initiative, which seeks to promote the revitalization of Massachusetts’ cities. The initiative focuses on education, public safety, effective management, economic development and business creation in the Commonwealth’s urban centers.
The Guide is presented in partnership with the City of New Bedford, and the New Bedford Economic Development Council and was produced by the Pioneer Institute with support from the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation.
About Pioneer Institute:
Pioneer Institute is a non-partisan public policy organization that seeks to enhance the quality of policy debate in Massachusetts through the support, distribution, and promotion of original research on issues of urgent public concern.
October 11, 2007

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