FastLane

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.