SOUTH JERSEY S. Voice for Progress

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3 President s Message Southern New Jersey Development Council s Regional Outlook Bi-annually, SNJDC creates a Regional Outlook to highlight and update our mission. The outlook is a synopsis on the various issues that SNJDC finds vital to its mission of promoting economic development in South Jersey. SNJDC is a membership-based organization representing mid- to large-sized organizations that operate or have an interest in South Jersey and its role as the economic future of the state. SNJDC believes, firmly, that for New Jersey to remain a prosperous and progressive state at the forefront of numerous fields, the benefits of doing business in South Jersey must be highlighted. The goal of this outlook is two-fold: 1. Highlight issues pertinent to the mission of the Southern New Jersey Development Council, its members, businesses in South Jersey, and the government of the state of New Jersey. The Southern New Jersey Development Council is a non-profit organization that promotes responsible economic development in Southern New Jersey. The SNJDC membership includes top firms, utility companies, financial institutions, education facilities, government and public entities as well as organizations from over 40 industries. In addition to offering our members access to local, county, state and federal elected officials, our members are provided the opportunity to establish long-term profitable business contacts through our conferences and seminars. I invite you to call the SNJDC office with any business issues, questions, or concerns. Our staff is hard working and takes pride in assisting all member requests in a timely and accurate fashion. Please call us at to learn more about us or just to say hello. Sincerely, Marlene Z. Asselta, President 2. Bring to light the benefits of doing business in South Jersey. SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL REGIONAL OUTLOOK

4 Economic Development E conomic Development: Acting as the Unified Voice for South Jersey, the Southern New Jersey Development Council is charged with promoting responsible economic development in South Jersey.To accomplish this, the organization has built relationships with the top decision-makers in South Jersey, state legislators, members of the governor s cabinet, and with our federal representatives. The Southern New Jersey Development Council actively promotes initiatives and legislation that increase economic opportunity in South Jersey, improves a certain quality of life that has always been expected in this region and supports project-specific activities that will create a positive impact to the region. Sun National Bank has its roots in Southern New Jersey.The bank began with its first branch in Medford, NJ with the opening of its Vineland headquarters following shortly thereafter. Today, Sun has 70 branches throughout New Jersey and Delaware. Sun continues to pride itself on its commitment to South Jersey. Those projects range in scope from small-scale facade programs affecting a single municipality to large-scale transit operations that shape the entire region. The 300-member organizations that the Development Council represents including the eight southern-most counties in New Jersey, the region s top universities and colleges, utilities, casinos, private firms, labor groups, municipalities and state authorities have come together under one common goal. The SNJDC is proud to contribute to our region s growth by working cooperatively with the region s county economic development directors in serving as Southern New Jersey s unified voice for progress. To enhance responsible economic development opportunities in South Jersey, the Southern New Jersey Development Council fought for the creation and continued existence of the William J. Hughes Technical Center near the Atlantic City International Airport. The Technical Center covers more than 5,000 acres, serving as a cornerstone for aviation advancements in aviation systems and concepts, development of air traffic control systems, and the maintenance of existing systems and programs. 2 SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL REGIONAL OUTLOOK

5 Education E xpanding the already large array of educational opportunities in the region is vital to increasing the strength of South Jersey s economies. Currently, the region is home to some of New Jersey s top state colleges and universities, numerous technology parks that foster relationships between the business community and students, some of the best school systems in the state along with county colleges and county technical schools; some of which offer unique degrees in areas such as glassmaking, industrial management and culinary and hospitality management. The Development Council encourages the NJ Department of Education and school districts throughout South Jersey to begin developing curriculums for the future. The face of education is changing and for New Jersey to remain at its forefront, education must change with it. Bunce Hall, Rowan University SNJDC has strong relationships with all of South Jersey s public colleges and universities, including Rowan University, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, and Rutgers University Camden. SNJDC helps to advance the idea that these institutions are vital to the continued success of South Jersey. By developing a highly educated workforce, South Jersey becomes more attractive to businesses that bring high-paying, technical jobs to the region. To achieve this, a commitment of time, thoughtful leadership and funding from the State of New Jersey, federal and local governments will ensure that South Jersey remains a wellspring of highly trained and well-educated individuals ready to fit the needs of existing companies in South Jersey and those we wish to attract. SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL REGIONAL OUTLOOK

6 Energy/Environment SNJDC believes that New Jersey must diversify its energy portfolio. Including alternative sources of energy into the mix, such as wind and solar energy, is an important aspect of striking the balance between the need to generate energy and the need to protect the environment. SNJDC also believes that New Jersey must increase its reliance on nuclear energy as it steers away from fossil-fuel sources. T he Southern New Jersey Development Council recognizes that in order for South Jersey to prosper today and maintain its reputation as a region friendly to business tomorrow, energy policies must help foster sustainable growth, maintain energy-supply-chain consistency and maintain constant and regionally consistent prices for energy. Energy policies must strike a balance among environmental concerns, safety and reliability and minimal impact on the ratepayer. Utilities and the state must work to ensure that emissions from generation sources are decreased and that the ratepayer is not significantly affected by increased rates as emissions goals are met. In order to protect our culture and maintain South Jersey s position as the future of growth of our state, the needs of sustainable and reliable energy must continue to be addressed. Transmission lines with Borgata in background SNJDC knows that in order for South Jersey to remain economically viable, the upkeep of our energy infrastructure as well as the maintenance of existing infrastructure must continue to take the forefront of energy policy in New Jersey. SNJDC realizes that energy and economic development are directly linked. 4 SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL REGIONAL OUTLOOK

7 Government Affairs T he Southern New Jersey Development Council s longevity is directly related to its success as a lobbying organization. The relationships it has formed on all levels of government give it a foot in the door where other organizations would be turned away. We are a recognized voice in the halls of the State Legislature, governor s office, and with our Congressional Delegation. SNJDC has a presence in Trenton that is hard to match. Between our expert government affairs staff and a lobbyist whose name is synonymous with economic development in South Jersey, SNJDC is one of the premier organizations in the state. We are unique because we lobby on behalf of the region in its entirety, and provide a voice in Trenton for businesses and industries that would not normally have one. As the Development Council s president and lobbyist, Marlene Asselta works with elected officials on all levels to promote South Jersey s Agenda for Progress. SNJDC has formed relationships with lawmakers on all levels of government and knows how to achieve results. The Southern New Jersey Development Council has more than 57 years of experience and is a trusted and well-known name in town halls across the state and in our nation s capitol. SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL REGIONAL OUTLOOK

8 Healthcare H ealthcare in South Jersey is one of the region s top industries and when coupled with its impact on economic development, it becomes one of South Jersey s strongest assets. South Jersey is home to a number of hospitals making a difference in both the lives of South Jersey residents and a number of economies throughout the region. As an example, the creation of the South Jersey Regional Medical Center in Cumberland County has been a catalyst for a huge number of projects along what has now been termed, the medical mile. Cooper University Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in the City of Camden are engaged in multi-year, multi-million dollar expansions that will create large, cutting edge medical campuses. The Coriell Institute for Medical Research is providing groundbreaking research to understanding human genetic diseases. South Jersey s health future is looking bright, and the Southern New Jersey Development Council will continue to fight for increased state and federal funding as well as for laws and regulations that allow healthcare to operate unobstructed and continue to provide the best care possible. Cooper University Hospital and Lourdes Medical Center are undertaking massive expansions, helping to fuel redevelopment in Camden. South Jersey Healthcare s Vineland facility has fueled economic development throughout the region and its partnership with Cumberland County College is providing students with hands-on training. South Jersey Regional Medical Center has been a catalyst for growth in Cumberland County and has spawned the medical mile in Vineland. Furthermore, its partnership with Cumberland County College provides hands-on educational opportunities for students enrolled there. 6 SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL REGIONAL OUTLOOK

9 T ourism in South Jersey is the second largest industry in the State of New Jersey. In South Jersey tourism drives many economies. Atlantic City is the most visited tourism destination in the world and its casinos provide some of the greatest entertainment, shopping and dining in the country. Most importantly, however, Atlantic City is continuing to grow and prosper and planned expansions will ensure that it remains on the top of destination lists worldwide. South Jersey is home to some of the nation s most beautiful beaches, the Wheaton Village glass arts and crafts center and many other attractions including aquariums, museums, parks, nature trails, lakes, sport fishing and hunting areas, and historical sites. SNJDC firmly believes that responsible economic development involves a large open space component. Preserved space creates a number of benefits that would be destroyed were space not preserved. Furthermore, many open space projects are linked directly to tourism and create unique attractions such as canoeing on the Batso River in the Pinelands, touring a number of historical sites throughout South Jersey, including stops on the underground railroad and wandering through some of the finest wildlife preserves on the East Coast. Tourism & Open Space It is important to balance the perpetual need for development in South Jersey with the needs to shelter open space leaving tracts of land untouched for future generations. Also, this preserved land helps to create tourist destinations, contributing to the economics of the region. The Southern New Jersey Development Council has been lobbying on behalf of casinos since the early 1970s and actively supported the referendum creating casinos in Casinos impact on the South Jersey economy fuels the creation of jobs throughout our region. SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL REGIONAL OUTLOOK

10 T Transportation he Southern New Jersey Development Council has strongly lobbied for increased transportation capacity on the region s rails, roads, waterways and airways. Our members represent a diverse group of organizations with a myriad of unique transportation needs. Throughout its more than 57-year history, SNJDC has fought for expanding the Atlantic City International Airport, the PATCO Extension into Gloucester County, expansion of South Jersey Port Corporation in Salem and Paulsboro, fixing the missing links in South Jersey s roadways, and many other vital transportation projects. Further, the Southern New Jersey Development Council was one of the founders of the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization that works to provide a regional approach to solving transportation issues. Air travel in South Jersey is one of the region s most important industries. With more than 20 airports, including the Atlantic City International Airport, South Jersey is not only friendly to business, it s friendly to the business traveler. SNJDC helped found the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization in 1993, which combined three smaller organizations under one common mission and goal bettering transportation in South Jersey. The SJTPO brings together experts in South Jersey transportation to provide a regional approach to solving transportation issues. S The Port Authority Transit Corporation s history with South Jersey began in 1926 with the construction of the Ben Franklin Bridge. It wasn t until 1969 that the current PATCO high-speed line opened. Today the line carries more than 38,000 people and helps to reduce congestion by taking an estimated 12,500 cars off the road daily. 8 SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL REGIONAL OUTLOOK

11 OUTH JERSEY S Voice for Progress Economic Development Contacts Atlantic County (567 Sq. Miles) Atlantic County 1333 Atlantic Ave. Atlantic City, NJ Burlington County (819 Sq. Miles) Burlington County Economic Development 50 Rancocas Rd., PO Box 6000 Mt. Holly, NJ Cape May County (222 Sq. Miles) Cape May County Office of Economic Resources & Capital Planning 4 Moore Rd. Cape May Court House, NJ Camden County (454 Sq. Miles) Camden County Improvement Authority 1909 Rt. 70 East, Ste. 300 Cherry Hill, NJ Cumberland County (489 Sq. Miles) Cumberland County Dept. of Planning & Development 800 East Commerce St. Bridgeton, NJ Gloucester County (329 Sq. Miles) Gloucester County Economic Development 115 Budd Blvd. Woodbury, NJ Ocean County (638 Sq. Miles) Ocean County Department of Planning 129 Hooper Ave., PO Box 2191 Toms River, NJ Salem County (338 Sq. Miles) Salem County Department of Economic Development 98 Market St. Salem, NJ

12 Washington Professional Campus 900 Route 168 Suite D-4 Turnersville, NJ (p) (f) ( ) The preparation and production of this report by the Southern New Jersey Development Council has been made possible by the generous support of the following organizations.