JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Hundreds of small business owners and entrepreneurs served customers at Jacksonville Beach during this year's 904 Pop Up event. It’s not the only thing happening in Jacksonville meant to help small businesses.
The City of Jacksonville just launched a new system that should speed line the business and contractor permit process.
Over 200 local businesses are set up for the 904 Pop Up event. Many started with a dream and a local entrepreneur.
“Born and raised here we got to experience the growth of Jacksonville and we wanted to help so we started our own thing," Derek Bentley, Co-owner of Bentley Print Co., said.
Bentley Print Co. has been in business for 10 years, but starting a small business and gaining success was no easy task.
“Permitting is def a difficult thing. It’s always very time-consuming. Wait times have been tremendous for permits," Bentley said.
Just this month, the City of Jacksonville launched a new online permitting system meant to reduce wait times for business permits.
Named the Jax Enterprise Permitting Inspections and Compliance System or Jax EPICS, Mayor Donna Deegan called it a game-changer at a press conference earlier this month.
“Solving bottlenecks, especially those that have such a sizeable impact on our business is one of the most important ways we can be fiscally responsible and good stewards of our taxpayer dollars," Mayor Donna Deegan said.
Getting in front of customers as fast as possible is something businesses here say will benefit not only local entrepreneurs but the Jacksonville economy.
“Stepping out, going to these events, it all helps. So anything you can do to get out there and make your brand aware, that’s the best thing you can do," Bentley said.
The next 904 PopUp is set for March 10. Food truck owners have until February 1 to register and the deadline for vendors is February 26.