Targeted economic development projects in Pennsylvania can now be “fast tracked” through the state permitting process under a new program unveiled by Gov. Josh Shapiro. 

Shapiro signed an executive order Nov. 19 directing the Office of Transformation & Opportunity to identify major projects that require permits from multiple agencies, and to coordinate those approvals.

“By streamlining permitting processes and focusing on results, we're not just creating jobs and driving economic growth - we're getting stuff done for the people of Pennsylvania," Shapiro said.

Pennsylvania is the first state to create a project-based permitting fast track program for complex and impactful economic development and infrastructure projects, according to the Shapiro administration.

“Gov. Shapiro is following through on his pledge to make Pennsylvania a leader in business expansion and job creation,” said Don Cunningham, President and CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC).

“Streamlining regulatory reviews will deliver for communities in the Lehigh Valley and across Pennsylvania sooner,” he said. “Speed to market is a driving factor in location decision-making, and expediting construction timelines will make Pennsylvania more competitive to land key projects.”

Eligible projects include those aligned with Pennsylvania’s new statewide economic development strategy, which Shapiro unveiled in the Lehigh Valley earlier this year.

The strategy focuses on five key industry sectors: life sciences, robotics and technology, manufacturing, agriculture, and energy.

"The PA Permit Fast Track Program is a game-changer that enhances coordination and communication between the project sponsor and state agencies to cut through red tape, streamline critical projects, and give businesses the confidence to invest and create jobs here in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said. “We're proving that government can move at the speed of business and we're building a stronger, more competitive Commonwealth where folks want to live, work, and build their future.”

The quality of reviews will not be sacrificed for the sake of speed, as applications must satisfy all state requirements to protect public safety and the environment.

The Fast Track Program assists with permitting processes by organizing agency meetings and coordinating key parts of the project. The Pennsylvania Office of Transformation & Opportunity will be responsible for developing, managing, and coordinating permitting across government agencies and private partners in order to get project sponsors answers in a timely manner.

The permitting progress for all Fast Track projects can be viewed on a publicly accessible online dashboard to ensure accountability by state agencies and project sponsors.

The program builds on Gov. Shapiro’s pledge for Pennsylvania government to “move at the speed of business” and reduce wait times and improve permitting, licensing, and certification processes.

Recent progress includes:

• The Department of Environmental Protection has reduced its permit backlog by 75% since November 1, 2023, and has eliminated the backlog for oil and gas permits. 
• The Department of Agriculture has substantially reduced license-renewal times. Renewals for food manufacturers and processors, retailers, and restaurants now occur in three days, a decrease in wait time by 85%.
• The Department of State has improved processing times for occupational licensing, with Pennsylvania now ranking among the top 10 states in the nation for efficiency. 

(Photo courtesy of PA Governor's Office)