Just over three weeks have passed since Richmond Hill launched its "Open for Business" initiative and according to Mayor Harold Fowler, businesses are seeking more information about the program.

"We’ve had a number of inquiries but I don’t know of anybody per se that has taken advantage of it," Fowler said. "There is a lot of interest there, but it is still kind of early into the process."

Announced in early March and officially launched April 15, the program suspends all commercial water and sewer connection fees for one year.

Fowler said "a number" of local and regional businesses have inquired about the program, including some restaurants and various small businesses, though he gave no specifics. At a city planning retreat in March, planning and zoning director Steve Scholar said Huddle House was among the first to ask about the program.

Tuesday, Fowler said it is hard to predict when businesses would begin taking advantage of the program.

"I think as word continues to spread there will be more interest into it," he said. "It is a wait and see type of thing."

Read full story in Wednesday's Bryan County News.