The City of Wilton Manors has been named the latest Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance “Platinum Cities” after city commissioners approved a permitting excellence processes recommended by the Alliance. Sixteen Broward County cities have now been named “Platinum Cities.” Other cities, in the order that permitting excellence ordinances or resolutions were passed include Tamarac, Davie, Oakland Park, Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, Coconut Creek, Plantation, Cooper City, Deerfield Beach, Coral Springs Hollywood, Dania Beach, Pompano, Margate and Lauderhill.

The purpose of the permitting excellence process, which is intended to be available to high-impact, targeted industry businesses that are relocating or expanding in Broward County, is to provide businesses with a streamlined, first-rate experience when going through the development, permitting and inspection process for office and industrial properties.

To qualify for streamlined permitting, businesses must be part of an identified targeted industry cluster and hiring new employees with salaries at least 15 percent higher than the average wage in Broward County. These businesses must also show that the property is properly zoned, platted and ready for the type of business being proposed.

Steps communities are taking to provide an excellent permitting experience include pre-development meetings and designating a city staff member as a single point of contact to assist the company through the permitting process. An online permitting system also allows applicants to review the status of their permits on a real-time basis throughout the process. Cities that adopt the new process are promoted and marketed on the Alliance website (www.gflalliance.org), in Alliance promotional materials, on social media sites and in other ways.

If you are a member or partner of the Alliance and would like to be involved in the Platinum Cities Action Team, please contact Gail Bulfin at gbulfin@gflalliance.org or at 954-627-0127.