_{e-government solution to help start businesses, create jobs}

Alexandria, Va. – House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran is proud to announce the launch of the Business One Stop Portal, a single electronic clearinghouse of resources for starting a new business. The portal provides one-stop access to all of the information, advice and regulations that entrepreneurs need to have before starting a new business. Delegate Moran authored the Business One Stop program during the 2007 General Assembly Session (HB3164). The Business One Stop was launched as part of Business Appreciation Week 2008 by Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick O. Gottschalk.

"It can take weeks to collect all of the information and paperwork to start a business in Virginia. We expect this system will cut that time in half," said Delegate Moran. "New businesses will form the foundation of our economic recovery, so I've worked hard to streamline government and make it easier for small businesses to get their start. Virginia is already the best state in the country for business – we need to keep it that way."

Small businesses are responsible for three quarters of all of this country's net new jobs. However, in April 2008 alone, the U.S. economy lost 20,000 jobs.

"This is one of the best resources the Commonwealth has ever produced for helping its new and existing small businesses," said Julia Ciarlo Hammond, Virginia Director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. "This new site will save countless hours of leg work for potential business owners and existing companies. Delegate Moran, members of the General Assembly and Governor Kaine are to be commended for putting together such a valuable tool for the Virginia business community."

Today's launch is the first step in a multi-phase program that will allow the system to expand to additional online services. The portal will be available to entrepreneurs "free of charge" for the first 90 days. For more information, please visit: business.virginia.gov.

"We believe this will keep Virginia competitive as a preferred place to start a business and help entrepreneurs reduce their transaction costs with government so they can instead focus on hiring talented employees, bringing their products to market and growing their bottom lines," said Bobbie Kilberg, President & CEO, Northern Virginia Technology Council. The NVTC was a strong supporter of the Business One Stop legislation. "We applaud Delegate Brian Moran for sponsoring the legislation and Governor Kaine for ensuring its successful implementation."

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance sponsored the project working with the Secretariat of Commerce and Trade, the Virginia Enterprise Applications Program, Virginia Information Technology Agency, State Corporation Commission, Virginia Employment Commission, DPOR and the Arlington and Franklin County local governments.

Brian Moran is Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and a delegate representing Alexandria City and Fairfax County. He is a former Arlington County prosecutor. Moran has been named a "Friend of Business" by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce and received the "Tech-10" award from the Northern Virginia Technology Council. He was recently named "Child Advocate of the Year" by the Virginia PTA.