Posted: | January 25, 2023 02:47 PM |
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From: | Representative Aaron D. Kaufer |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Strengthening the Commonwealth’s Economic Development System |
Please join me as a co-sponsor of legislation to establish a concierge-style economic development service for businesses considering moving to, expanding in, or maintaining operations in this Commonwealth. Under this legislation, the Commonwealth Economic Development Action Team would be established as an office, which would be overseen by an executive director. The Commonwealth Economic Development Action Team would receive a separate appropriation and the Department of Community and Economic Development would provide administrative support. Businesses would be able to apply to receive assistance from the Commonwealth Economic Development Action Team, including site selection assistance, inter-agency coordination, referrals for economic development incentives, and assistance with applications for programs and required permits. The Commonwealth Economic Development Action Team would be authorized to designate permit applications that advance the Commonwealth’s overall economic development strategy for expedited permit review. Further, under the Commonwealth Economic Action Team, regions will be developed to house all of the economic development programs under DCED to have a localized center for businesses to obtain the help they need in finding grants, loans and other economic development assistance. While there are some offices in the executive branch that seek to provide similar services, they are not established in statute. As a result, they have a more limited source of authority to assist businesses seeking to expand or grow in the Commonwealth and are subject to changes in administrations. |
Introduced as HB1838