November 20 – HAZLE TWP. – Governor Josh Shapiro said Wednesday that Pennsylvania is proving that government can move “at the speed of business” and that he and his administration are building a stronger, more competitive Commonwealth where people want to live, work and build their future.
Governor Shapiro visited a major development project in Hazle Township to announce the PA Permit Fast Track Program to accelerate government – streamline approvals, stimulate economic growth and make Pennsylvania more competitive.
Shapiro highlighted Project Hazelnut in Luzerne County as he hosted an event to sign ceremonial Executive Order 2024-2004 – launching the Pennsylvania (PA) Permit Fast Track Program to streamline the Commonwealth’s permitting process for critical economic development and infrastructure projects , increase transparency and shorten timelines and ensure that government delivers results efficiently.
Shapiro said Pennsylvania is the first state to establish a project-based expedited permitting program for complex, high-impact economic development and infrastructure projects. This furthers the Governor’s efforts to streamline wait times and improve permitting, licensing and certification processes across the Commonwealth.
Shapiro said Project Hazelnut is a transformative technology campus in northeastern Pennsylvania that exemplifies the Governor’s commitment to growing Pennsylvania’s economy across the Commonwealth by improving permitting processes, reducing delays and increasing competitiveness by ensuring that government operates at the speed of business.
The Executive Order directs the Office of Transformation & Opportunity (OTO) to lead the PA Permit Fast Track Program (Fast Track) – making OTO responsible for developing, managing and coordinating the program in support of complex and impactful projects with government agencies and private partners – to get timely answers from project sponsors.
The agency will also work closely with project sponsors and monitor updates to the Fast Track dashboard – a publicly accessible online tool designed to ensure accountability of both government agencies and project sponsors. You can view the dashboard here.
“When I became governor, I pledged to make state government work better for Pennsylvanians by removing barriers and creating real opportunities for the people of our Commonwealth,” Shapiro said. “By simplifying the permitting process and focusing on results, we’re not just driving economic growth and creating jobs – we’re delivering results for Pennsylvanians, putting points on the board and making real progress.”
Shapiro said the PA Permit Fast Track Program is a game-changer that strengthens both coordination and communication between project sponsors and government agencies, reducing red tape to expedite critical projects. He said the program gives businesses the confidence to invest and create jobs here, proving the government can keep pace with the business community.
“Together, we are building a stronger, more competitive Pennsylvania where people want to live, work and build their future,” Shapiro said.
OTO’s Chief Transformation Officer Ben Kirshner said Shapiro knows that to attract and retain competition for businesses and jobs, we need a government that moves at the speed of business.
“That’s why he made responsive government a core goal of his economic development strategy,” Kirshner said. “The PA Permit Fast Track program is aligned with the Governor’s vision and gives us a new tool to provide coordination, accountability and transparency in permitting large, complex projects here in the Commonwealth, increasing the competitiveness of Pennsylvania is enlarged.”
How FastTrack works
The Fast Track program identifies key economic development projects and assists with permitting processes by organizing agency meetings, coordinating key portions of the project, and increasing transparency and accountability through a public online dashboard. Using interagency collaboration and streamlined processes, the program aims to:
— Enhancing Project Coordination: RTD will oversee the program and work closely with project sponsors to manage timelines, milestones, and interagency collaboration.
—Support for Critical Projects: Eligible projects include major economic development and infrastructure projects that align with the Governor’s economic development strategy.
—Create Transparency: Modeled after the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council’s FAST-41 program, the dashboard tracks project progress, enables timelines and feedback from project sponsors, and provides accountability for both government agencies and project sponsors.
“We proudly stand with Governor Shapiro and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in advancing economic growth and opportunity,” said Brian Stahl, vice president of development at NorthPoint Development. “Today’s Executive Order strengthens the critical partnership between economic development projects and permitting agencies, promoting a streamlined, transparent and effective process. This partnership accelerates investment, creates meaningful jobs, generates critical tax revenue, and further strengthens the economy for all Pennsylvanians.”
Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat added, “When we cut unnecessary red tape, we will attract more businesses, create jobs and help Pennsylvanians get the licenses and certifications they need to succeed. Gov. Shapiro and I are on the same page: government must work for the people and not delay economic development projects that benefit our communities.”
Mary Malone, president and CEO of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, said the Fast Track Program is a dynamic tool that highlights the transformational potential of projects like Hazelnut.
“With the Executive Order, we are taking public-private partnerships to a new level,” said Malone. “The next phase will be all about the three Cs: connection, collaboration and community.”
In signing the Executive Order, Shapiro said, “Everyone is working together and pulling in the same direction. I’m really proud of what’s happening in this community – good things are happening here.”
The event was held at NorthPoint Development’s Hazleton Logistics, 450 E. Arthur Gardner Parkway.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
