By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
THE One-Stop Business Permitting Center on Capital Hill has processed registrations for about 30 new businesses and more than 100 renewals since opening more than a month ago.
Department of Commerce Registrar of Corporations John David “JD” Reyes said the office is still completing its 45-day report, but since the center opened its doors on Dec. 29, 2025, applications for new business registrations have continued to come in.
Reyes estimated that around 30 new businesses have registered and will soon receive their business licenses.
“We have that entrepreneurial spirit, which is very good to see,” he said.
Reyes noted that the deadline for business license renewals is March 1, 2026, making this a particularly busy time for the center. He said the first two months of the year are typically the “peak” period for renewals.
“Right now, it’s the annual report filing period for the Registrar’s Office,” Reyes said. “Businesses come in to register or renew their annual reports.”
On Monday, Reyes pointed to a high stack of paperwork related to new business registrations.
“We have new businesses registering every day, and they have been processed,” he said. “We have already registered a good number of businesses since we’ve been here.”
Reyes explained that registering a new business usually takes five to 10 days for review and for all required documents to be entered into the system.
He added that one of the key issues the center has addressed is convenience for business owners renewing licenses. Instead of visiting multiple offices across the island, applicants can now complete all renewals at the center in one visit.
Likewise, entrepreneurs starting new businesses can obtain all required information and guidance at the center. Applicants with questions can speak directly with staff from the Business License Office and other permitting agencies.
“Personally speaking, I’m happy to see the progress we’re making,” Reyes said. “It’s more reason to keep working harder, keep improving, and make things better.”
Larry Lee, who was applying to renew his business license, said the centralized setup has made the process easier.
“It’s great because every agency is in one building,” Lee said. “You don’t have to go around to different buildings.”
Asked how long the process took, Lee replied, “Very fast.”
“It took about 10 minutes,” he said. “Now I just need to pay at Treasury and get clearance from Zoning, and that’s it.”
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
