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The Miami Downtown Development Authority (Miami DDA) has announced a milestone for its Small Business Permit Clinic in Downtown Miami.
Following the launch of the program in February, more than 150 small businesses have now received assistance to move their operation forward. In addition, of those businesses assisted, 20 have been issued a formal Certificate of Use and/or Business Tax Receipt, with another 25 in the pipeline, helping more small businesses open their doors in downtown.
Developed to address the main challenges reported by new business owners filing for permits, the free program is available to any business registered with the State of Florida on Sunbiz and operating in the Brickell, area, Central Business District or Arts and Entertainment District. Participants receive assistance from volunteer lawyers and law school students.
“Small businesses are truly the heartbeat of downtown Miami, and the Permit Clinic has become an established success in keeping the pipeline of new businesses flowing,” said Christina Crespi, CEO of the Miami DDA. “The permitting process can be complex, and we are able to give local entrepreneurs the assistance they need so they can focus on creating jobs and growing our base of businesses.”
Participation by the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) and the City of Miami Fire Department have been an especially important resource to the business owners of our community. Representatives are at the Permit Clinic weekly to provide one-on-one assistance to business owners.
“The permit clinic provided by the Miami DDA has helped us see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Jamil Jebai, manager, Flagler Galleria. “Being able to meet with representatives from the various city departments in one place has helped streamline the permitting process, and we now recommend the clinic as the first step to all of our future tenants.”
Once registered with the Permit Clinic, business owners can receive up to 10 hours of assistance with a variety of issues, including:
• Navigating the City of Miami’s ePlan permitting infrastructure’
• Applying for new business permits and special permits;
• Obtaining a certificate of use, business tax receipt and fire safety permits;
• Understanding if the business use being sought is permitted;
• Determining if a demolition permit is necessary to open or expand a business;
• Applying for a zoning verification letter,and
• Guiding business owners on how to appropriately respond to feedback, open the permitting processes and schedule inspections.
Small business owners can visit the free Permit Clinic on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Flagler Street Construction Office.
Visit www.MiamiDDA.com for more information.
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