Sherrill launches NJ permitting dashboard pilot

The basics:

• Sherrill unveils first public-facing NJ Permitting Dashboard pilot
• Tool allows tracking of permits across multiple state agencies
• Pilot selects up to 10 projects in housing, energy, commercial sectors
• Initiative aims to cut delays, reduce costs, improve transparency

On her 100th day in office, Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced the launch of a pilot application for New Jersey’s first public-facing Permitting Dashboard. The tool aims to streamline approvals and increase transparency across state government.

The pilot will accept applications through May 21. It will select up to 10 projects spanning energy, commercial and multifamily housing.

Selections will come from recently submitted projects or those preparing to submit permits to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Transportation and Department of Community Affairs. The dashboard will allow projects to track the status of cross-agency approvals in a single place.

“On Day One, I committed to cutting permitting times and delivering real accountability to make it easier and faster to build in New Jersey. Since then, we’ve laid the groundwork. And on our 100th day, we are proud to announce a call for submissions to the Permitting Dashboard pilot,” said Sherrill in Trenton April 30. “This is a critical step toward a more streamlined system, saving New Jerseyans time and money and making it easier to build more housing, open businesses, and deliver critical infrastructure across our state.

“That will drive affordability, job creation, economic growth, and opportunities for New Jersey families.”

‘Essential’ to the mission

The New Jersey Innovation Authority powers and helped develop the dashboard in coordination with multiple agencies. The platform employs a scalable design and “whole-of-government” approach.

It will ultimately allow applicants and the public to track permit timelines, target due dates, next steps and status updates across departments.

The initiative builds on Executive Order 5, signed on Sherrill’s first day in office. It also adds to early actions from the administration. Highlights also include the creation of a cross-agency Permitting Governing Council, the completion of agency-wide permit catalogs as well as outreach to more than 350 business stakeholders across a 21-county tour.

Watch Gov. Sherrill’s announcement here:

Chief Operating Officer Kellie Doucette said the tool is central to improving accountability and efficiency.

“Gov. Sherrill signed Executive Order 5 on her first day in office to ensure that state government operates more effectively, more transparently, and more responsively for the people it serves. The Permitting Dashboard is essential to this mission,” said Doucette.

Love from the Legislature

Legislative leaders applauded the announcement, emphasizing the importance of improving efficiency while maintaining standards.

“I’m encouraged to see the Administration continuing efforts to expedite the permitting process in our state as a way to improve efficiency and help move important projects forward,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District. “The Assembly has long been focused on cutting unnecessary red tape, supporting small businesses, and finding ways to make government processes more transparent and accessible, and I look forward to continuing those efforts in this legislative session and working with Gov. Sherrill.”

“This is an important step forward in making government work more efficiently and more effectively,” said Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo, D-36th District. “It will bring greater transparency and predictability to the permitting process. Cutting red tape and streamlining the bureaucracy will help advance the construction of housing, power generation and other priorities that are so important to the state’s economy and our quality of life.”

Creating ‘real’ opportunity

Business leaders also welcomed the move, pointing to its potential economic impact.

“For too long, businesses in New Jersey have faced unnecessary delays getting projects off the ground … These barriers have made it harder to invest, expand, and compete,” said Michael Egenton, executive vice president of government relations, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. “We commend Governor Sherrill and her administration for the work they have done in the first 100 days towards streamlining permitting, reducing delays, and modernizing state operations.

“Creating a faster, more transparent, and predictable regulatory environment is essential to keeping New Jersey competitive and open for business. These reforms will help unlock stalled projects, accelerate capital investment, and support job creation across the state — sending a clear signal that New Jersey is serious about growth and economic opportunity.”

Interim Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey President John Lucas said the permitting dashboard is the kind of solutions-driven tool that creates real economic opportunity.

[A] single platform that tracks applications across agencies in real time brings long-needed transparency to a process that has often been challenging to business owners …
—John Lucas, interim president, SHCCNJ

“For Hispanic-owned and other small businesses, as well as our partners, a single platform that tracks applications across agencies in real time brings long-needed transparency to a process that has often been challenging to business owners,” said Lucas. “It means faster approvals, lower costs and a clearer path to grow and compete in New Jersey. We are grateful to have a seat at the table.”

More information, the application, and a preview of the dashboard is available here.