EPHRATA - The City of Ephrata partnered with the state for its business licensing management for a faster and easier process for license applications.

The partnership with the state Department of Business Licensing Service will allow for "one-stop shopping for business license holders maintaining or renewing many state and city licenses," according to Ken Penrose with the city.

In addition to filing on paper, most organizations will have the option to renew city licenses online as part of the agreement, according to Penrose. New or expanding businesses will also be able to apply for their city license online along with other state and local licenses that are included in the system.

The partnership becomes effective Nov. 6.

As part of the process, current license holders will receive a letter six weeks before the current license expiration date. The letter will contain instructions about how to proceed and a list of fees required.

The first renewal may be prorated for less than a year in order to change a current city license expiration date to match the expiration date with the Business Licensing Service.

If the renewal is prorated for less than a full year, there will likely be no other fees on that renewal. If a renewal is for more than one year, a $11 renewal process fee will be included to help cover the cost of the system, which includes staff for data entry as well as the printing and mailing of renewals.

For more information on the updated process, contact Penrose at 509-754-4601 ext. 123 or Terri Moncrief at ext. 110.