JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Hundreds of small business owners and entrepreneurs served customers in Jacksonville Beach at this year's 904 Pop-Up event. What's happening in Jacksonville isn't just about supporting small businesses.
The City of Jacksonville just launched a new system to speed up the permitting process for businesses and contractors.
The 904 Pop-Up event will feature over 200 local businesses. Many started with a dream and a local entrepreneur.
“Being born and raised here, we experienced the growth of Jacksonville and wanted to help, so we started something of our own,” said Derek Bentley, co-owner of Bentley Print Company.
Bentley Print Co. has been in business for 10 years, but building a successful small business hasn't been easy.
“It's definitely difficult to get permission. It always takes a very long time. The wait time to get permission was huge,” Bentley said.
Just this month, the City of Jacksonville launched a new online permitting system aimed at reducing wait times for business permits.
The system, called the Jax Enterprise Permitting Inspections and Compliance System (Jax EPICS), is a game-changer, Mayor Donna Deegan said at a press conference earlier this month.
Mayor Donna Deegan said, “Resolving bottlenecks, especially those that have a significant impact on our businesses, is the best way we can be fiscally responsible and properly steward taxpayers' money.” This is one of the important ways.”
Businesses here argue that getting in front of customers as quickly as possible will benefit not only local entrepreneurs but also the Jacksonville economy.
“Going out and participating in these events all helps. So anything you can do to go out and get your brand known, that's the best thing to do,” Bentley said. .
The next 904 PopUp is scheduled for March 10th. Food truck owners must register by February 1st, and the deadline for vendors is February 26th.
