Michigan:
FYI, from the Governor’s office.
-----Original Message-----
From: gov_office@MICHIGAN.GOV
[mailto:gov_office@MICHIGAN.GOV]
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004
10:42 AM
To: GOV-NL@LISTSERV.MICHIGAN.GOV
Subject: New permitting programs
Granholm Showcases Trailblazing Permitting Programs
MiTAPS,
PLEDGE Streamline Business and Air Quality Permitting
LANSING
– Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today showcased Michigan’s new
online permitting programs that are cutting red tape and helping Michigan
businesses process and receive state permits in record time. Joining the
Governor for today’s event were Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Director Steve Chester, Department of Information Technology (DIT) Director
Teri Takai, and Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) Director David
C. Hollister.
“These first of a kind, streamlined permitting programs are
helping to grow Michigan’s economy by removing barriers that businesses
face when they do business with the State,” said Granholm.
“Both MiTAPS and PLEDGE allow us to create a better business environment
in Michigan – encouraging the retention of existing jobs and the creation
of new ones.”
The Michigan Timely Application & Permit Service (MiTAPS) is a
web-based, one-stop shop open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for businesses
to apply for a host of permits from State agencies.
Promoting Leadership in Environmental Decision-making to Grow our
Economy (PLEDGE) is a two-year pilot program designed to ensure timely issuance
of environmentally sound air quality permits for major manufacturing
facilities. Up to five projects per year will be considered eligible for
PLEDGE, and participation requires a commitment by the DEQ and the applicant to
participate in a cooperative, transparent manner.
The benefits of PLEDGE include the use of project teams to insure prompt
review and turn around time, early involvement, and education of the
public. Many businesses will receive permits in less than 100 days, in
comparison to the 18 months it has taken in the past.
The three department directors, Chester, Takai, and Hollister, stressed
that close cooperation between State agencies and hard work by a number of
committed State employees enabled Michigan to develop these programs in record
time. It took just over six months for Michigan to streamline and
consolidate the permitting process across all areas of State government.
“We rolled out the MiTAPS pilot application in June, and we are
now operational, ready for business, so that Michigan businesses and citizens
can reap the benefits,” said Takai.
According to Chester, these programs are a key part of Michigan’s
quest to have both a healthy environment and a healthy economy.
“MiTAPS ensures that businesses know from the outset what permits they
will need from the State, while the PLEDGE pilot program will help us ensure
timely and environmentally sound air quality permits for major manufacturing
facilities in Michigan,” said Chester.
Currently, MiTAPS offers three DEQ web-based, interactive permits and
has links to 32 others from DLEG and DEQ. Another 10 permits are
scheduled to come online in September, including seven DEQ permits and three
DLEG permits. Ultimately, up to 150 permits and features will be
available through the MiTAPS program.
DLEG Director Dave Hollister pointed out that MiTAPS benefits a wide
range of customers including municipalities, businesses, construction trades,
and consumers.
“Government shouldn’t be a barrier to business development
in Michigan,” Hollister said. “MiTAPS will allow us to
fulfill our role in creating a better business environment in Michigan,
encourage the retention of existing jobs, and foster the creation of new jobs
as well.”
Since its silent launch earlier this summer, there have been more than
19,000 hits to the www.michigan.gov/mitaps website,
including 90 registered users and more than 2,300 visits to the Apply for
Permits section of the website.
# #
#