Word games....for instance in residential construction, the home and site are approved/permitted first based on the builder's info submitted. Then on site inspections occur throughout the construction and APPROVED before the next construction step is taken.. The FINAL inspection, if OK, results in the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy and the final power, natural gas, can be connected by the utility companies. It's not unusual for 2-3 trips by the inspector for each stage before he/she gives approval to continue.
I agree John probably has all that "under control", my point being it all takes time (and money) especially with industrial operations...... I'd guess a minimum of a year before operations start even with a small operation like this one....
"Final inspection = last stage of permitting. If it were "done" then no final inspection would be needed. :) "