NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The New Orleans Chamber of Commerce has asked local businesses for feedback on the city’s permits and licensing process, after a report found the system to be slow, burdensome and costly.
A local market research firm found recently that New Orleans business owners are frustrated with the city’s permitting process. Among them is Keiyanah Ratleff, who owns Cinnaholic on Freret Street with her husband.
“It’s on the tenant to go the extra mile. So you’re investing thousands more into getting a permit for a total renovation. That was the hardest part,” she said.
New Orleans Chamber of Commerce CEO Sandra Lombana Lindquist says the chamber partnered with Market Dynamics Research Group to advocate for local business owners. The firm recently released a report after a May City Council meeting revealed business owners were often being held up by city departments.
“Here they are, sitting on a mortgage or they’re having to pay rent, but there’s no revenue coming in the door,” Lindquist said. “And for a small business, that’s incredibly difficult, especially in the economy that we have right now.”
Lindquist said the results of that initial report prompted the chamber and the firm to launch a survey to gain a comprehensive view of city processes.
“What we’re trying to do is get that survey completed by as many sectors, across all industries,” Lindquist said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a single employee or if you have 50 employees working for you.”
Ratleff said she hopes any survey report recommendations could eventually lead to better communication and efficiency between business owners and city departments.
Lindquist said the survey will be open until at least July 11. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration did not respond to a request for comment.
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