A new state office is reinventing Pennsylvania’s approach to attracting, growing and supporting businesses, and the initial efforts are already making a difference. 
Economic development leaders from across the Lehigh Valley gathered recently to learn how to tap resources of the Office of Transformation & Opportunity, and to brainstorm how the office can make a bigger impact.
Officials from the cities of Allentown and Bethlehem, Allentown Economic Development Corporation, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC), and the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development held the discussion at LVEDC’s offices on Dec. 5.
The listening session was the twelfth held across the state this year by the Office of Transformation & Opportunity as it gears up for its fourth year. “Part of our Office’s role is to hear directly from the business community and economic development leaders and then act on their feedback by changing how Commonwealth agencies operate,” said OTO Chief of Staff David Wade.
The office sought frank feedback on how the state could be a better partner in economic development projects, and to identify the biggest challenges encountered by local and regional economic development officials.
Gov. Josh Shapiro created the Office of Transformation & Opportunity in 2023 to improve permitting and licensing processes, interagency coordination, and other government touchpoints to expedite approvals so businesses can open or expand sooner, creating jobs and supporting communities.
The goal: to enact cultural changes that make Pennsylvania one of the Top 10 business-friendly states.
Initial efforts are paying off.
In the latest rankings by Site Selection magazine, a leading industry publication, Pennsylvania ranks No. 11 – the top state in the Northeast, and seven spots higher than last year.
The Office of Transformation & Opportunity has been working directly with municipalities and developers to identify and overcome challenges to speedy development and offer appropriate resources including grant opportunities.
Initiatives so far include:
Fast Track: Rolled out late last year, the program prioritizes large, high-impact projects that involve multiple state agencies. The Office of Transformation & Opportunity acts as a concierge, walking the project through the necessary approvals and coordinating solutions to any challenges that arise.
Project owners and municipalities can apply for the free program. If accepted, details of the project’s progression are shared publicly on an online dashboard, to ensure accountability. There currently are seven projects underway across Pennsylvania, with others pending.
Permit Accelerator: Recruits front-line workers at state agencies to identify solutions to recognized challenges, or proactively suggest improvements to responsiveness, engagement, and customer service. If accepted, the Office of Transformation & Opportunity works with Penn State Harrisburg to fund a pilot program to implement changes.
Pilot programs have occurred at multiple agencies, including the departments of Labor & Industry, Environmental Protection, Transportation, Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Governor’s Office.
Permit, License, and Certification Catalogue: Collects data on permit processing from all state agencies and shares results internally with those agencies to drive improvement. Recently passed legislation will require all agencies to publish data publicly and create a tracking system for all permit applications.
The program drives the state’s PAyback program, which offers refunds if permits are not processed on time.
(Photos by Rick Kintzel)