The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) has expressed support for two executive orders issued by Governor Mikie Sherrill following her inauguration. The measures, Executive Order No. 4 and Executive Order No. 5, are intended to improve efficiency and accountability in state government operations.
Executive Order No. 4 establishes the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) within the Office of the Governor. This role is designed “to drive efficiency, transparency, and accountability across state government,” according to the order. The COO will serve as the governor’s main advisor on strategic initiatives, operational performance, and organizational effectiveness, with a focus on improving customer service and streamlining permitting and regulatory processes.
Governor Sherrill previously named Kellie Doucette as New Jersey’s first COO late last year.
Executive Order No. 5 creates a Cross-Agency Permitting Team within the COO office to streamline and expedite state permitting processes, aiming to reduce project delays and costs while improving customer service for permit applicants. The team will develop a Permitting Dashboard that displays the status of permit applications for projects in New Jersey and sets timeframes to reduce review and approval delays. A Regulatory Simplification Team is also established under this order to reform regulatory structures with similar goals.
NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka commented on these developments: “We thank Governor Sherrill and her administration for moving so quickly on both EOs to drive efficiencies and reduce permitting delays and costs, as promised.”
Siekerka added: “Both initiatives send a strong message that help is on the way for businesses, their customers and residents of the state. These are very positive developments that we look forward to helping with and seeing the results of.”
She further stated: “As Governor Sherrill campaigned on, this EO should bring a more robust structure within all departments to bring about more organization and support for the state’s economic opportunities.”
On Executive Order No. 5 specifically, Siekerka said: “Having this kind of organized integration will allow for better communication between departments, which ultimately should lead to less time, costs and frustration as it relates to permitting, particularly for larger scale projects.” She continued: “The Permitting Dashboard also creates a level of accountability for our government offices and lets our constituents know that their projects status is not lost in some black hole.”
“We have previously called for similar systems to move processes along,” Siekerka said. “We’re thrilled that Gov. Sherrill is taking these bold first steps to bring about better processes and transparency that our businesses and residents deserve.”
The NJBIA represents employers from various sectors including manufacturing, retail, wholesale, contracting, services, among others according to its official website. Established in 1910 as the New Jersey Manufacturers Association before broadening its membership in later decades and changing its name, NJBIA now serves as one of the largest statewide employer organizations in the United States with headquarters in Trenton. It offers advocacy efforts alongside resources aimed at supporting business prosperity through collaborations with government entities and academic institutions.
Michele Siekerka currently leads NJBIA as president and chief executive officer according to its official website.
