When the Sterling Heights City Hall is dedicated on Sunday, Feb. 18, visitors will be able to access services and information from kiosks sponsored by the city of Sterling Heights, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the Secretary of State's Office.

Secretary of State Candice Miller stopped by city hall on Thursday to get a first hand look at staff preparing the Secretary of State's SMART LINK kiosk for its new home in city hall.

"Sterling Heights is a progressive city that is committed to providing outstanding services to its residents, which is why we chose it as the first city in the state to partner with on our SMART LINK project," Secretary Miller said today.  "The Sterling Heights City Hall will be a centerpiece for the community, and we wanted to be a part of an exciting concept that focuses on technology and customer service."

Secretary Miller explained that in addition to being part of an exciting new project, having SMART LINK in the city hall will help the department measure the effectiveness in making services and information readily available through a kiosk.  The Sterling Heights City Hall site marks the first time SMART LINK has been placed in a government building.

"Sterling Heights is pleased to be the first municipality in the state to offer a Michigan Secretary of State kiosk," Sterling Heights City Manager Steve Duchane said today.  "Visitors to city hall will now be able to renew license plates, enroll their name on the organ donor registry and access Secretary of State information while taking care of city business."

The Sterling Heights City Hall is the third site offering SMART LINK.  Kiosks are also located at the Wonderland Mall in Livonia and the Macomb Mall in Roseville.

SMART LINK combines the convenience of instant access in a public location with the ability to conduct Secretary of State business over the Internet.  It features a touch-screen so people can easily navigate through the easy-to-use menus. The system has two main features: on-line electronic processing and information.

SMART LINK provides all of the e-commerce options available on the Department of State's web site, allowing customers to:  Renew license plates or watercraft registrations; subscribe to Michigan History Magazine; and request forms and documents be sent through the mail, including a voter registration application.

In addition to the on-line processing option, SMART LINK offers instant access to Secretary of State information including: branch office locations, hours and special services; Graduated Driver License Program; Michigan history, including museum sites, state symbols, state archives; consumer tips, buying and leasing a vehicle, repair tips; and frequently asked questions, driver licenses, disabled plates and placards.