BATH — City officials hope to hang an “Open for Business” sign near those that announce Bath as a “Cool Little City” and National Main Street.

City Planner Andrew Deci and Community Development Coordinator Justin Poirier will seek council support on Wednesday to apply to the state for official designation as a “Business Friendly Community” under a new program announced in March by Gov. Paul LePage.

If successful, Bath could receive perks that include bonus points when applying for economic development grants beginning in 2013, according to the DECD.

Announcing the program in March, LePage described it as “another step toward partnering with business, to ensure they have the tools and environment they need to expand and create jobs in Maine.”

“What a business looks for is stability, reliability and consistency,” he said at the time. “That’s what we need to bring to the forefront. Businesses face many obstacles. They do not need — nor should they be focusing on — dealing with local, state and federal government.”

The first communities to hang the signs will be announced in May.

If Bath is among them, Deci said Friday, there would be several benefits.

“First of all, recognition of our city as a place where we promote business expansion and relocation,” he said. “Second is the added bonus of being able to rank higher in Community Development Block Grant applications.”

Community Development Block Grants ( CDBGs) are federal funds administered by the Maine DECD for such projects as infrastructure, downtown revitalization, public facilities and economic development.

The Certified Business-Friendly Community program, according to Maine Economic and Community Development Commissioner George Gervais, is designed to “challenge communities to reduce red tape and promote job creation.”

Communities will be certified quarterly, will receive an award from LePage and will “become a key part of Maine’s Business Attraction strategy,” according to the DECD website. They also will receive “bonus points” when applying for CDBG grants, according to the DECD website, although the site notes that the program is “pending.”

Calls and emails to DECD Development Program Manager Andrea Smith seeking further information were not returned.

Applications will be ranked, in part, on a municipality’s efforts and resources to attract and retain businesses and to “promote ‘an openfor business’ business-friendly attitude,” according to the application.

Collaboration with the community to encourage such business opportunities as a skilled work force; the community’s licensing and permitting process; and letters of support from local businesses also will be considered.

In one of several letters from Bath businesses, David Packhem, president of Hodgdon Defense Composites, wrote that when his company began looking for space to manufacture rescue vessels for the U.S. Air Force, the city “quickly” found a building and retrofitted it for his manufacturing facility “ and promptly approved a lease agreement.”

“We have found the city very interested in our success and continue to be willing partners in our growth,” he continued.

Bath will submit a “strong” application, City Manager Bill Giroux said Friday.

The City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.

Bath City Council agenda

¦ The Bath City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in City Hall.

Among other agenda items, the council will:

— Make a presentation to Bath Police Detective James Montz for his years of service.

— Hold a public hearing on a Bath Farmers Market application for a liquor license.

— Consider second passage of a proposed ordinance regarding parking for people with disabilities on Front Street.

— Appoint election clerks for two-year terms.

— Hear a presentation by Hyde School on a request for taxexempt qualified 501(k) bond financing.

— Consider Bath Development Corp. bylaw changes.

— Hear a report from City Manager Bill Giroux on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Plan updates.

— Appoint one member to the Bath Development Corp.

Following the regular meeting, the council will hold a workshop to discuss improvements to the storm drainage system on Willow Street.

The council will then meet in executive session to discuss real estate matters and a personnel matter.

[email protected]