Southern New Jersey is now commonly recognized as one of the best places to live, work, and play in the entire nation. 

Achieving that status took a significant investment over many years by many people. 

The 300 member organizations of the Development Council want to assure that the region:

• Continues to prosper, and

• Remains a magnet for enterprises that understand and value the unique array of assets that we offer.

 

Although the Council’s focus is deliberately and appropriately parochial, we realize that a significant number of initiatives that are critical to our region are also critical to the entire state. 

We are, for example, keenly aware that in order to prosper, the people who live, work, and play here need reliable, affordable sources of energy. We recognize that if we do not plan effectively for the imminent post “peak oil” era that we will be forced to focus on surviving rather than thriving. 

We also recognize that we need:

• Housing choices we can afford,

• Good, family-sustaining jobs,

• A great educational system—P through 20,

• High-quality, affordable health care, and

• To be able to move ourselves and our products quickly and conveniently from one location to another—within the region as well as into and out of it. 

And, of course, we need to continue to earn and nurture our hard-won reputation as a business-friendly region. Which, unfortunately, is not the reputation that is enjoyed by New Jersey as a whole. 

As we start the new year, we have prepared a “short list” of priority projects for which we seek aggressive and broad-based support:

• Throughout the region, and

• At all levels of government, including the new state Office of Economic Growth. 

The Development Council has developed what we’ll call a Super Short List of projects by name, in order of priority, that we advocate and support. 

1.)    South Jersey Light Rail Extension

2.)    Port expansion:

a.       Dredging the Delaware River to 45’

b.       Paulsboro and Salem port expansion or reconstruction.

3.)    Technology

a.       South Jersey Tech Park at Rowan University

b.       Aviation Research and Technology Park

c.       Expansion of Fiber Optic Capacity

4.)    Energy

a.       Liquefied Natural Gas Plant at Crown Landing, NJ

b.       Expansion of alternative and renewable energy sources

                                                         i.      Wind

                                                       ii.      Photovoltaic

                                                      iii.      Ethanol and soy-based diesel

5.)    Tourism

a.       New Jersey Motorsports Park and Aviation Center at Millville Airport

b.       Funding for regional tourism marketing program

6.)    Rail Capacity

a.       Expansion of freight rail capacity

b.       Upgrade of Delair Bridge

7.)    Infrastructure Expansion and Upgrade

a.       Fill in “missing links” in Rt. 42 and I-295

b.       Expand or create an alternate route for Rt. 322 through Mullica Hill and Glassboro

c.       Provide full funding for the transportation trust fund

8.)    Create a Regional Workforce Development Pilot Program 

The Development Council believes that by adopting and implementing this list of projects, the South Jersey region will position itself as a premier business region and will have the tools necessary to sustain that position. The implementation of these projects will also serve as a catalyst to the attraction of new business. 

Governor Corzine has established the Office of Economic Growth as a permanent part of the executive branch and enhanced its ability to coordinate the state’s economic development efforts across all sectors and departments. 

The Office of Economic Growth will continue to report directly to the Governor to oversee the implementation of the state’s Economic Growth Strategy and will coordinate economic development efforts. Heading the office is Gary D. Rose who will also occupy a cabinet-level position as Office of Economic Growth chief. Rose also serves as chair of the Governor’s Economic Growth Council, a group of business and labor leaders who provide advice to the Governor and Mr. Rose about job creation and business expansion opportunities. 

The SNJDC meets with Chief Rose routinely, and recently, our Chairwoman, Barbara Armand, was appointed to the Economic Growth Council. 

Through a continuous dialogue with the Governor and his administration, the Southern New Jersey Development Council believes we will succeed in building a better New Jersey.