New Ways to Navigate Bureaucracy

Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what services the government provides, given the byzantine nature of the bureaucracy. One can drown in the red tape. Well, the U.S. Commerce department is trying to do something about that, one city at a time.

Following the launch of its Michigan office last September, the U.S. Commerce Department’s CommerceConnect is expanding into Boston – one of 16 regions where the service is being launched this year.

Announced in 2009, CommerceConnect is a one-stop-shop initiative in which Commerce Department employees are cross-trained so that they have the ability to connect firms to the full menu of Commerce programs and can link business owners with other federal, state, local and nonprofit resources. The effort is designed to cut through red tape and simplify access to services and resources that can help companies grow, create jobs and become more efficient.

Newly cross-trained Commerce staff working in existing local department offices are beginning to assist Boston area businesses – no matter where they are in their life cycle, whether just getting off the ground or looking to expand into overseas markets – in collaboration with state and local partners.

“We are excited to expand CommerceConnect to cities across the country so we can help even more U.S. businesses grow and create jobs in their communities,” CommerceConnect Executive Director Dennis Alvord said. “We look forward to working with companies in the Boston area and leveraging our extensive resources to assist them in reaching their business objectives.”

Hopefully, some other department might follow the commerce department’s lead.

By Marie Larsen