IE 11 Not Supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

Pennsylvania Opens for Business

Gov. Schweiker created a new office to manage online transactions between business and government.

HARRISBURG -- Gov. Mark Schweiker today signed an executive order formalizing the creation of a "PA Open for Business" project team office and governance structure aimed at making Pennsylvania the national leader in online interactions between business and government.

"Anything we can do to help private industry react faster to marketplace opportunities makes Pennsylvania a more desirable location to start and grow a business," Schweiker said.

"Judging from the many e-mails my staff receives from new entrepreneurs delighted with the business registration services available on our PA Open for Business Web site, Internet-based interaction with government is extremely popular."

The PA Open for Business Web site first went online in October 1999. The Web site lets entrepreneurs register their businesses online and offers a number of other business-related services. For instance, users can check the availability of a business name or view tutorials on a number of business topics, including developing a business plan and record keeping.

The executive order notes that, in the past, companies had to interact with a number of different state agencies in order to do business in the Commonwealth. The PA Open for Business Web site has simplified that process by providing a single Web-based service through which firms can register. The Web site collects the required information and ensures the data is channeled directly to the proper agencies for processing.

The executive order signed by Gov. Schweiker establishes a governance structure for continuing and enhancing the services available through the PA Open for Business Web site. That governance structure includes the creation of a steering committee and a project office.

The steering committee will include representatives from the departments of Labor and Industry, Revenue, State, and Community and Economic Development, as well as from the Office of Administration's Office for Information Technology (OIT) and Center for Customer Service and Innovation.

About 21,000 forms are downloaded from the PA Open for Business Web site each month, demonstrating its strong public usage. The Web site receives more than five million hits monthly. Public visits to the site actually increase in the evening and on weekends -- times when state offices normally are closed -- demonstrating that users appreciate the convenience of 24-hour access to government services. Visitors from around the world and numerous e-mails from business owners praise the site for its ease of use.

Office of the Governor