Remote Access Permitting Terminal (RAPT)

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

The Remote Access Permitting Terminal (RAPT), begun in October 2012, provides real-time interaction between a customer located in Hickory City Hall and a Permit Center Specialist located in the Catawba County Government Center in Newton and has been utilized by 1,620 customers since inception (October 2012 through February 2014). RAPT gives customers the ability to apply for and obtain residential and trade permits, or ask questions and receive answers about the permitting process from a remote location. RAPT utilizes video conferencing technology to allow citizens and contractors seamless interaction with Permit Center staff without the added time and expense of traveling from Hickory to Newton to conduct business. This new system has allowed Catawba County’s permitting process to evolve and maintain a high level of customer service without hiring additional staff to physically operate a second office. Since the implementation of this program has been a success in Hickory, Catawba County is contemplating the addition of a second RAPT station in the southeastern part of the county for added convenience to those citizens.