In a bold move to accelerate economic development, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro unveiled the PA Permit Fast Track Program in 2024, aiming to reform the state’s sluggish permitting process. This initiative, announced amidst the industrial backdrop of Hazleton, seeks to streamline project approvals and attract business, but not without raising local concerns.
Standing in a once-vacant industrial space, Shapiro remarked, “We recognize that time is money, and we recognize that it took too damn long to get projects done in the past.” He emphasized that lengthy approval times often deter developers from investing in the state, prompting them to seek opportunities elsewhere.
The Fast Track initiative quickly caught the attention of developers and residents alike. One of the program’s pilot projects is Project Hazlenut, a significant data center development in Hazle Township. Two years following its launch, the program has received a slew of data center proposals, inciting queries from residents in Archbald, Lackawanna County, about the program’s operations. Concerns were particularly vocal regarding the inclusion of Archbald 25 Developer LLC’s Project Gravity in the Fast Track.
The Office of Transformation and Opportunity (OTO), responsible for the program, confirmed Project Gravity’s acceptance on September 22, though it was not initially listed on the program’s website, which aims for project transparency. “You can’t preach transparency and not be transparent,” stated Tamara Misewicz-Healey, a local resident who co-founded the Stop Archbald Data Centers group.
The governor’s vision for transparency includes an online dashboard, allowing the public to track project progress. “You’ll be able to know what permits are needed, you’ll be able to know how long those permits are taking, and you’ll be able to know the date, certain that those permits will be issued if they are warranted,” Shapiro assured.
Currently, nine projects populate the Fast Track dashboard, with five being data center developments, including several in Northeast Pennsylvania. OTO is updating its website to reflect all projects, even those lacking a Coordinated Project Plan.
Fast Track is designed to expedite, not bypass, the existing permitting process, while maintaining the law’s requirements. Established by an executive order in 2024, OTO, led by Ben Krishner, coordinates this initiative, which is a key component of Governor Shapiro’s strategy to lure businesses to the state. This approach has resulted in over $1 billion in contracts with small and diverse businesses, along with more than $40.4 billion in private-sector investment.
Who qualifies for Fast Track?
Governor Shapiro’s administration has prioritized the attraction of complex, large-scale projects that require coordination across multiple agencies. “But what it is are complex, large scale projects that are going to require a lot of different agencies to be involved, that’s going to require a lot of different permits along the way,” Shapiro explained, addressing project qualification criteria.
Project Gravity, a proposed seven-building data center campus on 186 acres, represents one such complex undertaking. The New York City-based developer anticipates a $5 billion investment, potentially creating 300 permanent jobs and 1,200 construction jobs over five years. However, community concerns have intensified over environmental and local impacts, with notable discontent over tree clearing on the site, adjacent to residential areas.
Local approval or nothing
Both Project Gravity and Project Hazlenut require local approvals to proceed within the Fast Track framework. Archbald Borough has granted preliminary land development approval to Project Gravity, but final consent is still pending. Local leaders emphasize that the project must adhere to the borough’s zoning laws and obtain necessary permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Despite regulatory assurances, some residents remain unconvinced, lamenting potential environmental impacts and lack of transparency. Misewicz-Healey expressed frustration, stating, “Not that it’s a done deal, but it feels like a betrayal to the people.”
State Senator Rosemary Brown, representing a district with numerous proposed data centers, supports a temporary moratorium on such developments to address unresolved concerns. She advocates for thorough vetting to ensure infrastructure projects align with community needs and environmental standards.
Governor Shapiro’s GRID (Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development) program sets new benchmarks for data center projects, demanding developers adhere to stringent environmental and community engagement standards. “The Shapiro Administration strongly encourages all data center developers who want to build in Pennsylvania to meet the Governor’s GRID standards,” stated spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky.
‘Betrayal to the people’
Misewicz-Healey criticized the perceived disconnect between government rhetoric and actions, particularly regarding project transparency and community benefit. “So they should not qualify to be fast-tracked,” she asserted, questioning Project Gravity’s alignment with community interests.
The project also faces opposition from those fearing displacement and environmental injustice. The state, however, does not classify the affected mobile-home park as an environmental justice area, adding another layer of contention to the dialogue surrounding this ambitious development.
