Allegheny Conference Applauds Mayor’s First Executive Order on Permitting Reform

January 6, 2026 – PITTSBURGH, PA — The Allegheny Conference on Community Development applauds Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor for his first executive order on permitting reform, announced today. By directing city departments to review and streamline the permitting process, Mayor O’Connor has demonstrated a strong commitment to something the Conference and many key stakeholders have long advocated for: fostering economic growth by removing unnecessary barriers to investment throughout the city. 

Permitting reform at all levels of government matters because speed, predictability and transparency in permitting are critical for attracting new projects, supporting business growth, and enabling community investments.

By setting clear expectations for timely permitting decisions and urging inter-departmental collaboration, this executive order lays the groundwork for a more efficient and predictable development environment. The Allegheny Conference looks forward to working with Mayor O’Connor’s administration, city council and stakeholders across the region to build on this momentum and ensure that Pittsburgh outcompetes other markets for talent and investment.