New Business Guide to Empower Entrepreneurs
Contact: Louis Canfield, Development Center Coordinator
Pitch:
At the request of the Grand Rapids City Commission and City Manager, a team of staff
members have created an online guide to help entrepreneurs navigate the process of opening or
expanding their business in Grand Rapids. The guide is available at https://www.grcity.us/11893.
The City understands the daunting work needed to start or expand a business. Entrepreneurs
have many tasks to accomplish during a narrow window of time. The business guide helps
entrepreneurs identify resources and requirements, contact the appropriate agency, and minimize
“surprises” during their start-up or expansion phase.
According to City Planning Director Suzanne Schulz, “This on-line resource provides meaningful
information that will allow business owners to understand the opportunities and constraints in their
project planning from the start.” City Economic Development Director Kara Wood adds, “This is one
way we hope to make the process of doing business in Grand Rapids as user friendly as possible.”
The business guide encompasses major themes of interest to small business, including
entrepreneurial assistance, location identification, incentives and financing assistance, licenses and
permits, utilities, and taxes and fees. Web links to online resources and tools are incorporated
throughout, helping to integrate the investments the City has made on a departmental level into a more cohesive whole. A printable checklist is also available to help entrepreneurs track their progress through the guide. This multi-department, customer-focused guide is closely aligned with the City Commission’s 2010 Transformation Resolution.
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