Wareham is open for business.

That’s the message Selectmen and town planning officials want to send with a new, business-friendly permitting program.

On Tuesday, Town Administrator Derek Sullivan announced that the town was awarded a $20,000 grant from the state’s District Local Technical Assistance program. Specifically, the grant will be used to create an expedited permitting program under state law chapter 43D and identify land suitable for commercial or industrial development.

Director of Planning & Community Development Kenneth Buckland said the grant will help streamline permitting regulations. The idea is to simplify the permit application process, making the town attractive to businesses.

“The focus of this study will be on filling out the industrial zoned land in West Wareham with high value projects that provide good jobs,” said Buckland.

Sullivan reeled off for Selectmen a long list of benefits the grant will provide, which included giving Wareham priority when applying for MassWorks Infrastructure Program grants. That program provides funds for communities seeking to improve infrastructure with the goal of fostering economic development.

Most importantly, according to Sullivan, the grant will help the town “improve the tax base.”

Selectmen Chair Judith Whiteside offered Sullivan congratulations for helping to land the grant.

“You’re bringing us into the 21st century, excellent,” she said.