Gov. Mikie Sherrill held a roundtable at Advanced Solar Products in Flemington to discuss efforts by her administration to make state government more efficient and responsive, especially for small businesses facing permitting challenges and regulatory hurdles.
Sherrill described small businesses as essential to the state’s economy, noting their role in job creation, innovation, and building strong communities. She emphasized the need to simplify processes for business owners in New Jersey.
“Rather than being a source of red tape and bureaucratic roadblocks, state government should work for our business community, helping to build up entrepreneurs by expanding opportunity and lowering costs,” said Sherrill. She also stated that her administration is prioritizing tools for public servants to improve customer service through modernized systems and faster permitting and regulatory procedures.
“[This will] enable businesses to spend more time growing and investing,” Sherrill added.
Chris Emigholz, Chief Government Affairs Officer of NJBIA, participated in the panel discussion. He commented on recent changes: “The process matters. The process of how to get to a compromise and how to achieve balance is important. Unfortunately, that process has not been there in recent years, but there is a renewed sense of excitement across the business community now because we are seeing that process come back.”
Sherrill highlighted Executive Order No. 4, signed on January 20, which created the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and named Kellie Doucette as COO. She said this office would help improve efficiency and collaboration with businesses.
She also referenced Executive Order No. 5 from January 20, which aims to reduce delays and costs related to permitting, increase accountability in these processes, and expand transparency regarding state spending. The order sets up several initiatives: a Cross-Agency Permitting Team; requirements for agencies to list all permits they issue; development of a permitting dashboard; formation of a Regulatory Simplification Team within the COO’s office; and launch of the New Jersey Report Card—an online portal offering information about state-funded programs along with an interactive budget analysis tool.
Sherrill concluded by inviting ongoing feedback from business leaders: “My ask to all of you [in the business community] is to engage with us. Let us know what is working, what is not and give us feedback. We [want] to be as responsive as possible to our business community.”
