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Pennsylvania Launches Permit Fast Track Program

Workers are actively engaged on a construction site in Pennsylvania, illustrating the impact of the new Permit Fast Track Program.

News Summary

Governor Josh Shapiro has introduced the Pennsylvania Permit Fast Track Program to expedite the state’s permitting process for major economic and infrastructure projects. This initiative aims to enhance competitiveness, reduce wait times, and promote job creation through projects like the significant Project Hazelnut, which is expected to generate over 900 jobs. The program will enhance transparency and collaboration among stakeholders and is backed by local government leaders. The Fast Track initiative reflects a commitment to fostering a more efficient government infrastructure to attract investment in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania has launched the Pennsylvania Permit Fast Track Program aimed at expediting the state’s permitting process for key economic development and infrastructure projects. Governor Josh Shapiro announced the initiative during an executive order signing event at NorthPoint Development’s Hazleton Logistics project site in Hazle Township on Wednesday.

The Fast Track Program is designed to streamline the permitting process for complex and high-impact projects, marking Pennsylvania as the first state to implement a project-based permitting fast track initiative. The goal is to reduce wait times, enhance transparency, and boost the state’s competitiveness in attracting business investments.

A notable project under this new program is Project Hazelnut, a transformative technology campus set to be developed in Luzerne County. This project is expected to create more than 900 jobs, demonstrating the potential impact of the Fast Track Program on local economies and job markets.

The program will be led by the Office of Transformation & Opportunity (OTO), which is responsible for coordinating agency meetings and facilitating the permitting process for significant development projects. To ensure accountability, the Fast Track Program will include a publicly accessible online dashboard for both state agencies and project sponsors.

The initiative is modeled after the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council’s FAST-41 Program, which has successfully improved project coordination and transparency at the federal level. Key objectives of the Pennsylvania Permit Fast Track Program include enhancing project collaboration, supporting critical infrastructure projects, and increasing the transparency of the permitting process for all stakeholders.

Local government leaders have expressed strong support for the program. Mayor Jeff Cusat of Hazleton emphasized that reducing unnecessary red tape will help attract more businesses and create job opportunities in the region. Additionally, Brian Stahl, vice president of development for NorthPoint Development, highlighted the initiative as a beneficial tool for fostering collaboration between developers and state agencies.

This executive order falls under Governor Shapiro’s broader strategy to revamp Pennsylvania’s economic development framework, which also includes a budget increase of over $1 billion dedicated to economic incentives. Local leaders, including Dr. Anthony Griguoli, chairman of the Hazle Township Board of Supervisors, have called the initiative a significant advancement for the state’s economic landscape.

Through this new permit fast-tracking initiative, the Governor aims to demonstrate a commitment to operating government at the “speed of business,” ultimately enhancing Pennsylvania’s appeal as a destination for investment and economic growth.

As the state begins implementing the Fast Track Program, it is anticipated that future infrastructure projects will see reduced delays, benefiting local communities and economies throughout Pennsylvania.