At the State of the City address on January 20, 2010, the Mayor announced, in partnership with the City Council, the launch of a new pilot program to assist entrepreneurs to open new businesses. The program would make new restaurants, bars, bakeries and butcher shops eligible for a new, streamlined program from the New Business Acceleration Team (NBAT). This program makes it possible for entrepreneurs to open their doors more quickly and help businesses get the answers and services they need from City government.

As part of the program, NBAT works with qualifying businesses to schedule and coordinate most plan review appointments and required inspections. Such inspections include, but are not limited to, those conducted by:

• The New York City Fire Department
• The Department of Environmental Protection
• The Department of Buildings
• The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene