Kiosk unveiled to improve business licensing experience in Prov.

MAYOR Jorge O. Elorza unveiled a new kiosk at City Hall on Thursday that is designed to improve the business licensing process.  / PBN FILE PHOTO/STEPHANIE ALVAREZ EWENS
MAYOR Jorge O. Elorza unveiled a new kiosk at City Hall on Thursday that is designed to improve the business licensing process. / PBN FILE PHOTO/STEPHANIE ALVAREZ EWENS

PROVIDENCE – In an ongoing effort to improve the business licensing experience in Providence, the city has unveiled a new “licensing kiosk,” designed to streamline the process.
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza on Thursday introduced the new kiosk, located in the Licensing Office in City Hall, saying it would expedite and digitize licensing by using a new tool called “Viewpoint.”
“With the new licensing kiosk, our business owners can spend more time growing their businesses and less time waiting in line,” Elorza said in prepared remarks.
City business owners have long bemoaned the process of obtaining a license from the city, saying the processes associated with applying, obtaining and maintaining a license can be time consuming and difficult to understand. Also, the Board of Licenses has been the subject of past corruption.
Elorza made improving the licensing process a priority while in office. His administration will collect feedback until Jan. 1, after which business owners should be able to apply and pay for all licenses online, according to a city spokesman. Between now and Jan. 1, the licensing kiosk will only be working with liquor licenses.
The kiosk will remain open for walk-ins.
The City Council on Thursday also passed a resolution asking the Licensing Office to upgrade its forms and applications to include such information as security plans, ownership information and background checks. The council earlier this year hired former R.I. Attorney General Jeffrey Pine for $10,000 to investigate the Board of Licenses. Pine’s report detailed abject procedures, inefficiencies and inconsistencies and was similar to a report done in 2012.

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