* Fast Track Licensing became a reality in 2001! By significantly reducing the background investigations and financial details that are required for new licensees, previous licensees who have already established a responsible operating record as a license holder can transfer a license in less than 30 days. A special email address was created to enable licensees in the Fast Track process to communicate quickly and easily with the LCC Licensing staff. The service will be expanded in 2002 to bring additional types of applications under this system.

* In March of 2001 the LCC reintroduced a program to allow price reductions on certain liquor products in the state, helping retailers clear their shelves of products to make room for new items. Off-premises liquor license holders can request approval over the Internet from the Commission to reduce prices, by as much as 50% on some items.

* The MLCC Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) project sucessfully transferred more that $46 million in 2001 (including Dec. 1999) making liquor orders more efficient for retailers.

* Credit cards payments became an option for license application fees, and other services. At this time only Visa and Master Card are accepted but the service saves many customers critical processing time.

* In July 2001, the Liquor Commission made lists of Michigan liquor license holders by county available for free on the Internet. Customers with spreadsheet experience can download the license data and filter it to meet their needs. Previously, these lists were only generated by LCC staff and customers were charged a fee for the service.

* Thanks to the help of the Office of Technology Resources (OTR) a searchable version of the Liquor Price Book became available December 8, 2000 on the MLCC Website. This searchable database (which includes prices and UPC codes for easy and accurate updating for Michigan liquor license holders) was the first searchable database of it's kind for the Department of Consumer & Industry Services! Users can also download a text version of the entire database and convert it into Excel or a similar spreadsheet program to customize the data specifically for their business. This is "ultimate customer service" one happy licensee reported!

* On June 30, 2000 the Commission implemented an invoice signature sheet process which eliminates microfiching of 1.5 million pieces of paper every year, at a cost savings to the taxpayers of the state of $250,000 every year! Liquor invoices are created, used and stored electronically by the Commission, an e-business solution in keeping with Governor Engler's goals.

* In February, 2000 the State reached a landmark agreement with the United Parcel Service on delivery of liquor to Michigan residents. UPS now refuses to make inter-state deliveries of spirit products to Internet purchasers. This agreement combats delivery of spirits in Michigan from unlicensed, out of state retailers. The agreement is a method the Commission is using to alleviate the problem of sales to minors who may use the Internet to make illegal purchases.

* On January 30, 2000 the Commission began two new services: Fax Back and Automated Information. The Fax Back Service allows licensees to call a toll free 800 number and have ADA and product information faxed to them by keying in their fax number. Gradually the number of items available for fax back is increasing as more and more documents become available electronically.

* The Automated Product Information Line is like Fax Back in that anyone can call the toll free number and obtain spoken information about any product sold by the Commission or can obtain Authorized Distribution Agent information. This option works particularly well for those seeking a small amount of information or for those who do not have a fax machine available. Access to both the Fax Back Service and the Automated Product Information Line at 1-800-473-1487.