PROVIDENCE, RI -- Tomorrow, Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis will unveil a plan to cut the amount of time and paperwork it takes to start a business in Rhode Island. Governor Carcieri, Speaker of the House Gordon Fox, Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed, a local businessman and Northern RI Chamber of Commerce CEO John Gregory are expected to join Mollis for the State House announcement at 2 p.m.
The centerpiece of his "Quick Start" initiative is an on-line master application that will enable entrepreneurs to enter their contact and business information just once no matter how many forms they are required to submit to state agencies in order to start a business. The data can be used to complete all of the 307 separate forms that state agencies require.
The initiative includes an on-line library where entrepreneurs can find in one place all the forms necessary to start 270 types of businesses ranging from bait shops to restaurants. In addition, Mollis will ask every state agency to consider shortening, consolidating or eliminating some forms.
"Quick Start not only will make it easier to do business in Rhode Island, it will help change the perception that Rhode Island is not business friendly. This will create jobs and get the economy moving again,” said Mollis, whose office helped 6,900 companies get started last year.
#####