Sparky,
Unfortunately, if you're waiting on NCC, they also handle (or used to handle) all the renewals which have to be completed by oh... crap. My brain is failing me LOL. I want to say June 30th.. but could be May 31st. So, on top of all the new permits they're running, they're also issuing the renewals which I've always heard took priority.
Hang in there. One day you'll open your mail box and be very happy to have your permit in hand. With no warning LOL.
Moosie