Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signs an Executive Order Jan. 24, establishing the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity within the Governor’s Office. (Courtesy of the Governor’s Office)

In his first week in office, new Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has taken an executive action that significantly reshapes the Commonwealth’s approach to economic development.

The governor signed an order on Jan. 24 that establishes an Office of Transformation and Opportunity and creates an Economic Development Strategy Group that he will chair.

“I’ve heard from business and labor leaders across the Commonwealth. Government needs to work more quickly and figure out a way to get to ‘yes,’” he said in announcing this new approach to economic development.

“A new day has dawned for economic development in Pennsylvania,” said Don Cunningham, President and CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC). “The new governor has shown an impressive level of personal commitment to economic development, job creation, and driving change in state government.”

The Office of Transformation and Opportunity is intended to be a one-stop shop that helps new and expanding businesses cut through red tape. It also is charged with creating and executing a unified strategy for economic growth and development.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announces the create of an Office of Transformation and Opportunity to support a new approach to economic development.

To lead the new office, Shapiro selected business leader and entrepreneur Ben Kirshner of Philadelphia as Chief Transformation Officer. In 2004, Kirshner founded and was Chief Executive Officer of Elite SEM (now Tinuiti), a digital marketing agency.

Kirshner also will drive the governor’s new Economic Development Strategy Group, which also includes the secretaries of Community and Economic Development, Labor & Industry, Education, Transportation, Agriculture, and Environmental Protection. The strategy group will advise Shapiro on economic development projects and processes to attract and retain businesses, recruit entrepreneurs and innovators, and create good-paying jobs in Pennsylvania.

Shapiro said his focus is to connect private-sector businesses, educational institutions, and state government to spur economic growth and job creation, particularly in communities that have too often been left behind.

“If you want to grow your business or invest in Pennsylvania, you’re not going to need to go to five different agencies anymore,” Shapiro said.

“By helping businesses that are already here, encouraging new ones to move to Pennsylvania, and investing in our workforce, we can create real opportunity and build an economy that works for everyone,” he said.

Cunningham said the governor’s approach will provide a much-needed boost for economic development in Pennsylvania that supports ongoing efforts of regional organizations like LVEDC.

“With this new direction, the governor is using a partnership approach to economic development that has proven to be very successful in the Lehigh Valley,” Cunningham said. “We look forward to working with the governor’s new team in Harrisburg to spur growth, job creation, innovation, and workforce development.”