The National Governors Association’s latest recommendations for fiscal year 2026 priorities read like a roadmap for the digital transformation initiatives we’ve been championing at Accela for years.
When governors prioritize broadband deployment, permit streamlining, and infrastructure modernization, they’re not just investing in physical assets—they’re laying the groundwork for more efficient, citizen-centric government services.
Broadband and Digital Equity: The Foundation of Modern Governance
The NGA’s emphasis on broadband as essential infrastructure resonates deeply with our mission. As their task force noted, “reliable and accessible internet connectivity plays in bridging the digital divide in our communities.” But broadband isn’t just about connectivity. It’s about enabling digital government services that meet citizens where they are.
When states invest in broadband deployment, they’re creating the conditions for:
- Remote permitting and licensing processes
- Digital-first citizen services
- Real-time data sharing between agencies
- Enhanced telehealth and education access
The recent changes to the BEAD program under Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick present an opportunity for states to reimagine their broadband strategies with greater flexibility and local control.
Permit Streamlining: Where Technology Meets Economic Development
Perhaps nowhere is the intersection of technology and economic development more apparent than in permitting processes. The NGA’s inclusion of “permit streamlining” among their top 11 priorities acknowledges what we’ve seen firsthand: outdated, paper-based permitting systems are barriers to economic growth.
Modern permit management platforms can transform these bottlenecks into competitive advantages. When governors invest in streamlining permits—as the NGA recommends—they’re investing in:
- Faster business development and job creation
- Improved regulatory compliance and transparency
- Better data for infrastructure planning
- Enhanced citizen and business satisfaction
The Connected Infrastructure Vision
What’s particularly encouraging about the NGA’s priorities is how interconnected they are. Surface transportation, water infrastructure, environmental management, and broadband deployment aren’t separate challenges. They’re components of a comprehensive infrastructure ecosystem that requires integrated planning and management.
Cloud solutions can help states manage this complexity by providing:
- Unified dashboards for cross-agency coordination
- Real-time project tracking and reporting
- Streamlined environmental review processes
- Data-driven decision making for resource allocation
Federal Funding and State Innovation
With multiple federal funding streams available—from traditional transportation programs to EPA initiatives to Economic Development Administration grants—states need sophisticated systems to manage compliance, reporting, and performance measurement across programs. The flexibility that states are seeking in federal programs, as noted in the NGA release, requires equally flexible technology solutions.
This is where cloud-based, configurable platforms become essential. States can’t afford to build separate systems for each federal program or grant opportunity. They need unified platforms that can adapt to changing requirements while maintaining data integrity and compliance standards.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opportunity
As governors prepare their fiscal year 2026 budgets, they have a unique opportunity to align technology investments with these infrastructure priorities. The states that succeed will be those that recognize technology not as a separate budget line item, but as the enabling foundation for achieving their broader economic development and infrastructure goals.
The NGA’s recommendations provide a clear framework for this integration. When broadband, permitting, and infrastructure investments are supported by modern digital government platforms, the result is more than the sum of its parts. It’s a transformed relationship between government and the communities it serves.
For state leaders looking to maximize the impact of their 2026 investments, the message is clear: think digitally from the start. The infrastructure you build today will determine your state’s competitiveness for the next decade.
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At Accela, we’re committed to helping state and local governments turn these opportunities into outcomes.
Request a demo to learn how our solutions support broadband deployment, permit streamlining, and infrastructure management.
