The state’s new “Certified Business Friendly Community” program apparently is getting some traction.
There have been more than 550 hits to the “Business Friendly” website, 142 applications have been downloaded and nearly two dozen Maine communities have contacted the DECD to learn more, according to information released Tuesday by the Department of Economic and Community Development.
“We are very encouraged by the amount of interest the program has generated in just a week’s time,” said DECD Commissioner George Gervais in the release. “These communities are following the governor’s lead and understand the importance of being business friendly, reducing red tape and promoting job creation. Working together at the state and local level will make Maine prosperous.”
The proposal is an outgrowth of a series of sessions Gov. Paul LePage held around the state last fall with business leaders. Businesses told administration officials that state agencies were becoming more business friendly, but challenges still existed in many local communities.
In the Certified Business Friendly Community program, communities, chambers of commerce, trade organizations and others can apply to be registered. Any application has to have a community’s imprimatur.
A review team of seven people will look at the applications quarterly, with the first review scheduled for May. They will look at criteria such as customer service, collaboration between communities and the business community, licensing, permitting and other areas. Reference letters from local businesses will be part of the process. And the community will have to post public notices notifying people that it is applying for the certification and noting that the state is looking for public comment.
Communities in the program can use the “Business Friendly” designation in their marketing efforts, will be recognized on the state DECD website, will get an “Open for Business” road sign and will be a “key part of Maine’s business attraction strategy,” according to a release on the program. Certification is for two years.
Now if we can only keep LePages nose out of it, it might mean something, but I predict he’ll pressure the board to remove any communities that have disagreed with him in some manner.
Poliquins Crooked Tree farm is Buisness Friendly!
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Another excellent program instituted by the finest executive administration the state of Maine has seen in at least 40 yrs .Thank you for your hard work and dedication Gov Lepage.
I’ll be right back……after I throw up!
Ahhh music to my ears. Any form of agreement at this point from you would definitely send up red flags as to my judgement.
Lol…how do those boots taste anyway ?
I think this “program” is a big waste of time. Aren’t ALL Maine communities supposed to be included in the State’s agenda ? Now they have to jump through hoops to get “certified” business friendly ? I wonder how much the campaign donation is to get certified ?