IfG.CC - The Institute for eGovernment

Registering a new business in the state of Tennessee just got easier, thanks to an innovative online service now available through the state's official Web site at www.Tennessee.gov. The Tennessee One-Stop Business Resource allows new businesses to complete all required paperwork electronically with state agencies through a single Web site.

Tennessee's One-Stop Business Resource combines Governor Phil Bredesen's focus on technology innovation with enhanced customer service features that will reduce time and costs and allow agencies to more effectively share information.

"More than 16,000 new businesses are started in Tennessee each year," said Bredesen. "The One-Stop Business Resource was created to help simplify the process of obtaining all of the required documents. I want new business owners to have a trouble-free application process so they can focus their efforts on opening their doors and providing new jobs and economic growth in Tennessee communities."

The One-Stop Business Resource currently provides several online services, including:

• Obtaining a permit, license, certificate, and tax number
• Searching and selecting a business name
• Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express payment processing through Tennessee.gov's secure payment server

The Tennessee One-Stop Business Resource also provides business owners with a secure user name and password that allows information to be saved and updated as needed as well as the flexibility to login and work on new business set-up when it's most convenient for the business community. The new service automates the new business forms issued by various state agencies, generates online confirmation numbers for record keeping at every stage of the new business set-up process, and delivers quality customer support 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

The Tennessee One-Stop Business Resource was developed through the cooperative efforts of:

• The Office of Governor Phil Bredesen
• Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
• Tennessee Secretary of State
• Tennessee Department of Revenue
• Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
• Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
• Tennessee Department of Agriculture
• Tennessee Department of Health
• Tennessee Office of Information Resources

"Prior to introducing the Tennessee One-Stop Business Resource, there was no single Web site, agency, or resource available that provided comprehensive new business set-up information," said Matthew Kisber, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. "Businesses are demanding eGovernment services, which makes this online tool a priority for Tennessee. We are excited to lead the charge to expedite state processes so businesses can get on their feet and start selling their products and services."

Tennessee has been recognized consistently for its progressive eGovernment efforts. The portal was ranked second among all state Web sites in the Center for Digital Government's 2005 Best of the Web competition and was a finalist in 2001 and 2004. Tennessee.gov was also named the best state Web site in 2002 and 2004 by Brown University's Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions.

Tennessee.gov currently offers more than 150 interactive services, including income tax filings, driver's license renewals, state park reservations, and professional license renewals. In 2004, the state portal processed nearly 10 million eGovernment transactions.

About Tennessee.gov

Tennessee.gov is the state of Tennessee's official Web portal (www.Tennessee.gov) and is a collaborative effort between the state of Tennessee and eGovernment firm NIC (Nasdaq: EGOV).

Quelle: Business Wire, 22.11.2005