FastLane
Client:
Louisiana Economic Development
Web Site:
https://fastlaneng.louisianaeconomicdevelopment.com/
Contact:
Anne Villa, Undersecretary
Location:
Baton Rouge, LA
Category:
Economic Development, Public Sector
Fastlane
More than 15 years of business incentives and economic growth
TEI provided software development services for LED’s incentive management systems for 15 years (2005 – 2020). One of the primary outcomes of this partnership was the creation of the FastLane Incentive Management system.
The FastLane system operationalizes six of Louisiana’s most popular business incentive programs for Louisiana Economic Development. Fastlane’s secure online interface allows users to electronically send and manage data for Enterprise Zone, Industrial Tax Exemption, Quality Jobs, Restoration Tax Abatement, Digital Interactive Media Tax Credit, and Motion Picture Production Tax Credit.
Goals Achieved
Increased incentive program management efficiency
Modernized security
and safe handling of data
Improved accuracy for complex and evolving legislation
Facilitated interoperability between 70+ state agencies
Fastlane revolutionized the incentive management process within Louisiana.
Project Background
Prior to the development of FastLane, LED project managers could process a small threshold of applications and contract amendments for each incentive program. This was due to manual paper processing of letters to various agencies and businesses prior to the board meeting or approval meeting and the collection of fees via check. After approval of applications, contracts would be mailed between the various parties for signing and could easily get stuck somewhere in the process. LED Program managers spent most of their time “pushing paper” and tracking the location of various contracts.
In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, TEI started working for LED to evaluate the pre-existing processes that LED had in place for tracking incentives. TEI implemented a phased approach to help LED. In 2005, an internal windows-based application was created to track critical information and the generation of documents required for the business incentives offered by LED. In 2007, a web-based system for businesses and consultants was built that allowed for the electronic filing of applications and payments. Over years the systems were enhanced to include entertainment incentives and tracking of additional compliance documentation. In 2016, after years of legislative changes and the need to modernize the system, TEI redesigned and migrated legacy systems to the web based FastLane Next Generation system. The design of FastLane Next Generation allowed for legislative changes, the addition of compliance documentation, the addition of contract changes, and the development of roles for agencies other than LED to view and manage business applications and sign contracts. The Fastlane Next Generation system has revolutionized the incentive management process within Louisiana.
System Features
Form management
Advanced calculations
Legislation rule tracking
Secure project sharing process
E-sign integration
Payment integration
Advanced searching
Interactive dashboards
Interactive analytics
Board management
Secure access for various user roles
Encryption for database, files and field level
Transaction based auditing
Automatic notifications
Public records searching and exports
Bulk upload of documents
Automated backups and storage
Document centric database
Secure Access for all Stakeholders
Businesses and Tax Consultants
Electronically file, pay, and e-sign all documents for Louisiana tax incentives.
Incentive Program Managers
Process data using dashboards and bulk review features with the ability to dive into any project.
Board Members
View meeting agendas and digital copies of redacted board documents.
Department of Revenue, Workforce Commission, Local Governing Authorities
Provide objection status on pending applications depending on the rules of each tax incentive.
Parish Assessors
Receive notifications and search data with pertinent information for property taxes.
Governor’s Office
Receive notifications and e-sign contracts.