Middle Seeks to Be Business Friendly

COURT HOUSE – Middle Township wants to be seen as business friendly. Expressing pride in the number of new businesses that have opened in the county in recent years, Economic Development Coordinator Nancy Sittineri called the achievement impressive.
Yet the need for a renewed focus on economic development is also apparent.
The municipality started a process to update its 2013 Market Analysis; the one officials point to as the one that has guided the successful efforts over the last four years.
Triad Associates, a community development firm based in Vineland, helped develop the 2013 plan and is charged with its update.
At a Nov. 8 meeting at municipal hall, the Economic Development Commission and Triad held an open discussion seeking input on the direction economic growth should take in Middle.
Triad Chief Executive Officer Michael Zumpino urged public participation saying that the public was an excellent source of information on “what types of business we want to bring to the township.”
Noting that marketing dollars are limited, Zumpino said it was important to have a clear idea of what business sectors the township wants to target.
This latest effort to update the four-year-old marketing analysis is only one part of a coordinated attempt to position Middle Township as a business-friendly and attractive location for economic investment.
In recent months the township has also begun the process of potentially designating areas as either rehabilitation or redevelopment zones according to state statutes.
If that process is successful, such zones will allow the township to offer financial incentives to developers who would, in turn, bring investment and jobs to the area. The zones would allow tax abatement arrangements, flexibility with respect to existing zoning restrictions, and the capability for the township to specifically designate the type of development it wants to see in a particular area.
The public constituted an informal focus group offering ideas for targeted business attraction. Areas that were highlighted in the discussion included indoor recreation facilities for children, especially in the off-season, a focus on business that provides activities for the growing senior population, and better business concentration to increase foot traffic in areas like Court House, especially in the evening.
Commission members also heard that there is a strong need to get potential small business owners better information on what they have to do to open a business in the township.
Even some moves the township has made need greater visibility if they are to be effective.
Mayor Michael Clark spoke of the need to “get the word out.” He said that the township is committed to doing all that it can to attract and retain businesses.
Clark pointed to the township’s revolving loan fund, which Zumpino said is up to about $500,000, as evidence of serious purpose. 
The fund makes low-interest loans to encourage new investment or business expansion. The loans are usually limited to five years with the proceeds going back to grow the loan fund.
Triad’s analysis shows township residents purchase goods and services at rates greater than the national average.
It argues that the area boasts multiple good access points, a central location in the county, median household income that is 10 percent greater than the national average and a population base that has resisted the general declines characteristic of many other areas of the county.
The township is also well positioned when the summer influx grows county population by a factor of seven or eight times.
The trick is how to translate that into an expanding area of business investment.
Clark emphasized that the township is holding a business funding workshop Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. The workshop will provide information on the things the township can do to aid business investment including providing information on the revolving loan program.
The township has arranged for a regional, state and federal panel at the workshop to give attendees the best information available on what programs at various government levels are available to support business in the township.
Representatives will be at the workshop from state agencies including the state Economic Development Authority and the Business Action Center.
It will have representation from the Workforce Development Board. Both Stockton and Rutgers universities will have representatives from small business development and extension programs.
The federal government’s Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be present.
USDA has funded some infrastructure development initiatives in the township and the county.
The updating of the market analysis, the process to explore rehabilitation or redevelopment zones, the funding workshop with broad exposure to a variety of organizations that aid business investment, all these efforts are aimed at bringing a renewed vigor to township efforts to encourage business development.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.