NCET

I’d like to applaud the new Nevada Business Portal for its focus on the small business person. This new tool is unique in that the entire system is designed with the end user – the small business start-up – in mind. It’s not so much about what works best for government, but what works best for business. Let me tell you why that is of such vital importance.

Over the years, I have found one of the most common frustrations of start-up businesses is the “red tape factor” – the myriad of sometimes confusing and frustrating steps one must go through in order to fully launch their businesses in Nevada. I have seen people come to our annual NCET Entrepreneur Expos with little or no understanding of which license or permit they need to get from which entity, and in what order forms need to be filled out, paid for and processed. So onerous has the process been in the past that many small business owners simply gave up before they got started, or perhaps worse, launched operations without the necessary licenses and permits they need. These business owners operate under the radar, depriving themselves of the opportunity to operate legitimately and expand their businesses, and depriving the state of much–needed revenue.

The new state business portal not only makes it easier for Nevada entrepreneurs to access all of the information they need online in an easy-to-understand, streamlined format; it also makes Nevada that much more attractive as a business relocation destination. The easier it is to do business, the more business we’ll attract. It’s basic human nature, and it’s a reflection of our high-tech society. We want everything at our fingertips, whether it’s networking through social media, advertising our businesses through e-commerce promotions or applying for our business licenses and paying business fees. We’re all about convenience, and the new business portal gives us all that and more.

In addition to the fact that this new tool eliminates a lot of red tape for small business start-ups, the streamlined system is expected to improve the accuracy of the processes, reduce costs and generate additional revenue for the state to the tune of more than $32 million over five years in anticipated “returned value.” It is also hoped the portal will enhance communication among state and local agencies and ensure adaptable technology systems for the future.

The bottom line for small business start-ups: Easy access, a streamlined, well-defined process and clearly outlined business licensing requirements translate to more businesses operating legitimately in the mainstream. That’s a business plan that works for everyone. To learn more, visit http://whynevada.com/newbusinessportal/checklist.asp