There is created an Office of Business Permits and Regulatory Assistance (hereinafter referred to as “office”) within the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (now Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) which shall provide assistance to businesses in meeting State requirements for doing business and perform other functions specified in this Act. The office shall use information technology tools to track schedules for covered projects and metrics in order to improve transparency and accountability in the permitting process, reduce uncertainty and delays, and reduce costs and risks to taxpayers. The office shall carry out the provisions of this Act, subject to funding through appropriation.