City Highlighted for Pro-Business Push

At this week's City Council meeting, Mayor Michael Heitzler said the city is working to attract new business to Goose Creek.

More businesses help put take some of the tax burden off of homeowners and it will be important in developing the city's dream of a thriving downtown district.

An article published this week by the S.C. Municipal Association noted that the Goose Creek is already getting a step ahead of other cities in its attempt to make permitting simple.

In the Lowcountry, the City of Goose Creek offers an express business license process for new home construction that allows a contractor to pay a fee that covers subcontractors based on the number of houses built. This saves time for the builder, and doesn’t stall the construction project if one subcontractor has failed to get a business license, said Finance Director Ron Faretra. 

Goose Creek officials also hold preconstruction meetings for new business construction. Departments such as planning, public works, police, fire and finance meet with the builder and go over all the procedures and rules, and provide necessary paperwork and checklists, Faretra said. 

"The more information we’re able to convey early in the process saves us time down the road," explained Assistant City Administrator Jeff Molinari. 

Read more in the Municipal Association's magazine, Cities Mean Business.