The City of Morgan Hill has launched OpenCounter, a new computer station in the front lobby at City Hall, where the city’s business community can quickly access city government services.
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“Small businesses play a vital role in the Morgan Hill economy,” said Mayor Steve Tate. “A high priority in the City’s Economic Blueprint is to grow business investment in Morgan Hill. Small businesses contribute to local charities and community efforts along with providing jobs and revenue to our City. OpenCounter provides clarity about the City entitlement process and fees for the business community.”
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The web-based tool is designed to help small business owners easily access information regarding fees, permits, approval processes and available locations—and it’s a place where they can pay fees such as water bills.
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The city hosted a ribbon cutting April 11 to commemorate the service’s launch, but OpenCounter can be accessed anytime over the internet, from any location.
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“OpenCounter has been designed for those individuals starting a business who need to learn basic city regulations (zoning), potential permitting requirements (building permit, use permit, business license), fees, and other departmental and agency requirements,” reads a press release issued by the city’s Economic Development Department. “The online tool interacts with users by asking questions, in the right order, so business owners see the requirements and fees specific to their use and location.”
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OpenCounter will also incorporate data it collects to help city officials collect information regarding what kind of businesses are started, where they wish to be located and what kind of questions the business community is asking.
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The City of Santa Cruz, in a partnership with Code For America, a nonprofit organization that works to streamline government services through technology, developed OpenCounter in 2012.
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OpenCounter is valuable in shaping Morgan Hill’s new economic development policies and programs,” said Assistant City Manager Leslie Little.
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OpenCounter offers services in both English and Spanish.
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Residents, business owners, developers and other users can access OpenCounter at https://openforbusiness.morgan-hill.ca.gov.
