March 04, 2009
March 4, 2009
New program provides single point of entry for business services
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today unveiled Michigan Business One Stop, a one-of-its-kind program that reforms the way companies will now do business with the state of Michigan. As the governor called for in her 2008 State of the State address, the program provides more than 650,000 businesses across Michigan with a single source for government information and services they need.
"Our one-stop-shop for business represents a significant reform in how we are serving the business community," Granholm said. "We've streamlined our operations and created a single point of entry to state government for businesses that call Michigan home or those looking to establish a presence in our state."
Michigan Business One Stop is an online service that guides users who want to start, operate or expand a business in Michigan. Business owners can apply for or renew permits and licenses, file annual reports and pay unemployment taxes, or any other fees they are subject to under state law. Information is shared across state departments with one, easy e-payment system, and the site provides businesses information about transaction status in a new, paperless environment. In addition to the new web site, the program offers:
Michigan Business One Stop has been under development for more than a year with the help
of Michigan's business community. More than 100 business owners and representatives from business associations assisted in identifying needs and ensuring that the final program addressed those needs.
Among the business people who participated in the focus groups is Debra (Levantrosser) Setman, executive director for business improvement with Johnson and Johnson who spoke on behalf of the program.
"I believe the Michigan Business One Stop may be one of the factors when people are deciding where to start or move a business," Setman said. "The one-stop-shop is a win-win for taxpayers and businesses alike."
Chuck Hadden, president and CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, said his members will benefit from the new program, which is superior to any other state-run business web site in the country.
"We like the idea of having one place businesses can go to get the answers they need," said Hadden. "Secondly, this business portal will give Michigan businesses the ability to easily track their permits and hopefully reduce the length of time it takes for those permits to be issued."
Michigan Business One Stop can be found at www.michigan.gov/business
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Testimonials from Businesses on Michigan Business One Stop
Michigan One Stop will be the benchmark in the community for all who want to automate their business dealings. The amount of information available to assist both established and new start-up businesses in Michigan is worth its weight in gold. The tools contained on the Web site will also increase efficiency for current business owners by providing status readily and helping to maintain compliance with state requirements. As a consultant, I will be proud to introduce my clients to the Web site, and happy to encourage its use.
Dana Lynn Cleveland, President
Cleveland Business Consulting, Inc.
I think it is great that once again, the state of Michigan has taken the leading role in optimizing technology in government by making it easier for companies to establish and operate their businesses effortlessly online. The Michigan Business One Stop demonstrates that the state of Michigan is open for business 24/7.
Ronia Kruse, President/CEO
OpTech, LLC
As founder and CEO of Management Business Solutions, Inc., a professional staffing solutions company, it would have been great to have the resources Michigan Business One Stop provided when I started the business 2 ½ years ago. It would have streamlined the process, and I could have established the company a lot sooner without worrying if I missed anything. The information that took countless hours and phones calls to acquire is now readily available in one place. It was great to get to know other businesses during the discovery and testing phase of the Beta program. I discovered the process (and pain!) they have to go through while operating their business - from getting permits, licenses, etc. It is great to know that your site now exists, making business owners' lives much easier. Having a "single sign on" (SSO) system is great; you don't have to worry about multiple accounts and passwords. Also, having the "shopping cart" of what you need to establish and continue operation of your business and the time frames for processing permits and licenses is truly a great resource for planning your time line. Great job and continued success to the program.
Floriza F. Genautis, CEO
Management Business Solutions, Inc.
The Michigan Business One Stop portal has just made starting-up and operating a business in Michigan as painless as possible. As the assistant to Michigan's small business advocate, I talk with Michigan entrepreneurs and small business owners on a daily basis. I hear firsthand their concerns, issues and frustrations. After testing the site out myself, I can tell you this portal successfully provides all government processes information, business services, resources and support tools in a convenient one-stop-shop style. Michigan small businesses are extremely important to our economy. It is great that such an easy-to-use tool has been created to assist and encourage our state's entrepreneurs.
Joanne Jansz, Small Business Advocate Assistant
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
As a business owner, I am thrilled with the ease and simplicity of the new one stop Web site. When I set up my companies in the system, it was a straight forward process. As a business coach, the new Web site will be a great resource for new businesses
Christi Pentecost
TheELoft.com
I work with business owners every day, and there has always been some confusion dealing with so many different state agencies. After testing the new Michigan Business One Stop, I am thrilled to see how much easier it'll be for businesses to interact with state government as well as connect to other resources to help them grow. This is a big plus for Michigan businesses.
Tom Donaldson, Regional Director
Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center
