October 06, 2009
October 6, 2009
U.S. Department of Commerce launches first one-stop shop in Michigan
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today applauded U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke's announcement on the launch of the Commerce Department's business one-stop shop in Michigan. Locke announced the opening of the new facility, named CommerceConnect, at the Midwestern Governors Association Jobs and Energy Forum this morning and later held a ribbon- cutting ceremony at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center in Plymouth.
"Together, the state of Michigan and the Commerce Department are partnering to make it easier for businesses to tap into the information they need and the help we can provide to grow the economy and create new jobs," Granholm said. "We applaud Secretary Locke and are thrilled he's chosen Michigan for this pilot."
The state of Michigan partnered with businesses a year ago to launch a One-Stop Shop Web site for business. This tool provides quick information about permitting, start-ups, financing, taxes and other critical services and support for businesses. Now, Michigan will be linked to the Commerce Department as well. The new CommerceConnect office will help make the department's services more accessible and Michigan businesses more competitive - putting all the department's services under one roof with specialists trained on the broad range of programs Commerce offers. The one-stop initiative, first proposed in June, is focused on integrating Commerce Department programs to help businesses at every point of their life cycle, and the staff there will act as case workers for individual businesses that seek assistance.
Manufacturers from around Michigan met with government officials in July to discuss industry needs and work with officials as they developed the one-stop shop initiative aimed at streamlining government and bringing services directly to businesses and entrepreneurs that are creating and sustaining jobs in Michigan. The Commerce Department hosted representatives of 12 Michigan companies in the roundtable discussion held at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, now the site for CommerceConnect.
"This connection makes Michigan's one-stop shop an even more powerful tool for businesses," Granholm said. "The Commerce Department will be more accessible to Michigan business and our businesses will be more successful."
# # #
