OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Dayne Walling’s Proposal to Create a Positive Environment for All Businesses
Dayne Walling has a vision for Flint’s economic future that focuses on creating an environment where businesses of all sizes are supported. As Mayor, Dayne Walling will streamline and fairly enforce regulations, create a “First Stop” shop for entrepreneurs, and support neighborhood businesses. Combined with his innovative redevelopment plan that will work for, not against, the needs of new businesses and a Campus Commons that will integrate Flint’s three colleges into a powerful new opportunity zone, Dayne Walling’s Open for Business plan will start the diversification and revitalization Flint’s economy.
ENDING FLINT’S ANTI-BUSINESS CLIMATE
The difficulties of doing business in Flint are widely known, whether deserved or not. It is time for a change. For economic opportunities to return for Flint’s residents, the private sector has to see the city as a great place to do business. Today’s enterprises need to be able to get established in months or weeks, not years. This requires zoning, permits, and licenses to be available predictably and for code enforcement to be consistent. It is not the role of government to pick winners and losers. All legal, viable enterprises deserve support from City Hall. THE WALLING PLAN Dayne Walling is running for Mayor to bring opportunity back to this city. In order to rebuild a city that has jobs—jobs that support a family, Dayne Walling will support business of all sizes locating and expanding in all parts of the city. Businesses provide jobs, and they also offer services to residents. Neighborhood businesses will be a focus of the Walling administration. Dayne Walling has a three-point plan. He will: 1: Streamline regulatory burdens and permitting processes and fairly enforce codes with a warning system. 2: Create a First Stop shop for entrepreneurs that offers guidance on the local requirements for starting a business, and for all companies to access possibilities for City government contracting. 3: Support neighborhood businesses so that residents have access to nearby basic services.
Dayne Walling for Mayor, Road Map to Opportunity: Open for Business Proposal Page 1 of 3 www.votewalling.com
STREAMLINING REGULATIONS
Local regulations on businesses should be tailored to advance the public interest. There currently exist numerous unnecessary restrictions and burdens on small businesses and residents attempting to earn a living. Instead of demoralizing and burdening these entrepreneurs with unnecessary requirements, a Walling Administration will: • •
Review existing regulatory burdens falling on small businesses and eliminate regulations that fail to advance the public interest today. Improve collaboration among the Fire Inspector, the Building and Safety Inspectors, and the Planning and Zoning Commission to ensure an efficient start-up process and to offer a warning to out of compliance establishments that precedes any penalties. Convert the time-consuming rezoning procedures into a predictable process governed by flexible zoning regulations.
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CREATING A FIRST STOP SHOP
Taking the first step is always hard, no matter what the project. However, in the interest of making Flint more prosperous and business-friendly, it should be easier to work with the City to make progress towards creating a successful business inside our boundaries. As Mayor, Dayne Walling will: • Institute a First Stop Phone Call program, where knowledgeable city employees will be able to answer the questions of people trying to redevelop properties and begin businesses in the city. Help new entrepreneurs and minority and women-owned small businesses better compete for city contracts, and offer preferences in purchasing policies for union contractors with Project Labor Agreements.
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Dayne Walling for Mayor, Road Map to Opportunity: Open for Business Proposal Page 2 of 3 www.votewalling.com
SUPPORTING NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESSES
Flint’s residents deserve access to basic consumer establishments such as grocery stores. Neighborhood small businesses are a good source of jobs, plus they can be a step for entrepreneurs in developing larger companies. In a Walling administration, Flint’s neighborhoods will receive the same attention that the downtown area receives. To begin this process, a Walling administration will: • • Clean neighborhood business corridors and enforcing standards for signage and use. Define “Safe Routes to Shop” so that pedestrians and bicyclists are able to reach nearby establishments.
Feedback on the Road Map to Opportunity proposals is welcome and encouraged. For more information on Dayne Walling’s campaign to bring opportunity back to Flint, please visit www.votewalling.com or call his campaign headquarters at (810) 233-9190.
Dayne Walling for Mayor, Road Map to Opportunity: Open for Business Proposal Page 3 of 3 www.votewalling.com