We hope the developers of TJ Maxx Plaza in Loyalsock Township are successful in their efforts, reported on in Wednesday’s edition, to negotiate for a grocery market.

We further hope that the shifting economic climate allows many businesses to expand into Lycoming County, bringing new options for consumers and new jobs.

As we’ve editorialized before, we recognize the obstacles to more economic development and we ask our lawmakers and local officials to continue to address those obstacles — chief among them at this time, permitting reform and a lack of affordable housing.

The permitting process for new development is, frankly, too cumbersome and delays projects to too great a degree — which discourages the investment which our region and our state need.

As is so often the case, these obstacles go hand in hand — the burdensome and slow permitting process keeps new housing from being constructed and placed on the market as well.

We believe that interconnectedness should incentivize officials to treat permitting reform with greater urgency. We hope our state Legislature aggressively and proactively addresses how to balance the need for oversight with the need for government to not impede the private sector from creating the jobs and housing that are instrumental to ensuring Pennsylvania’s future.