Delaware launched the JobsFirst permitting accelerator, a program designed to fast-track housing, energy, broadband, and infrastructure projects. Previously, these developments faced state-level delays of 18 to 24 months due to sequential, siloed agency reviews, the governor’s office said.
With JobsFirst, a coordinated process gives qualifying projects a single point of contact, parallel agency reviews, defined decision deadlines, and public progress tracking.
The JobFirst portal provides information about the accelerator, eligibility, review timelines, and the application process.
“JobsFirst is focused on delivering affordable homes, affordable energy, accessible healthcare, and lowering costs across the board,” Meyer said. “This is about getting agencies to work together, cutting unnecessary delays, and making sure projects that benefit our communities don’t get lost in a broken permitting system. Because when projects stall, we don’t build enough housing, we don’t bring enough energy online, and we don’t make Delaware a more affordable place to live and work.”
According to officials, JobsFirst is intended to shorten review timelines without changing environmental protections, public health requirements, safety standards, or public participation rights.
The accelerator was established under Executive Order 18, which Meyer signed on Feb. 26.
According to the governor’s office, each accepted project receives a dedicated state coordinator responsible for connecting applicants with agency officials, identifying potential problems, and escalating unresolved issues.
The governor’s office said the accelerator is the first stage of a broader effort to create a single entry point through which applicants can submit project information once and receive coordinated, time-bound decisions from every relevant state agency.
