Thornton and Hayes: Successfully Fueling Cape May County’s Economic Engine

Cape May County’s economic growth has increased significantly over the past several years, due in no small part to the efforts of Cape May County Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton and Freeholder E. Marie Hayes.
Freeholders Gerald Thornton and E. Marie Hayes, together with the Cape May County Freeholder Board, established the Cape May County Division of Economic Development in 2012. They have advocated for development at the Cape May County Airport, which continues to see existing business expansions and new businesses flourishing.
Expansion of the rapidly growing drone industry promises high paying, full-time jobs. Currently, a $3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (USEDA) is being utilized to support a $6.5 million project, that will expand the region’s unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry at the Cape May County Airport, taking advantage of the facility’s unique airspace.
Earlier this year, ground was broken on the first of three buildings planned for a new Cape May County Airport technical innovation hub. Known as “Tech Village,” the 23,000-square-foot building will be used by UAS and innovation-related businesses. Already 50% leased, the building should be completed in the second quarter of 2020.
The USEDA estimated that the project, in total, will create 130 jobs and spur $1.9 million in private investment. Those jobs will diversify the area’s economy. The project is supported by the South Jersey Economic Development District, which seeks opportunities to bring the public and private sectors together for regional economic growth.
Gerald Thornton, E. Marie Hayes, and the Freeholder Board have also worked to expand Fare Free Transportation services in Cape May County.
Fare Free has received a $1.2 million-dollar Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) grant to construct new office buildings, and to consolidate bus operations. The county will be providing a $1.5 million-dollar match to the FTA grant. New buildings for Fare Free Transportation, Public Works, and Environmental Health, which are currently housed in aging World War II-era structures, will be constructed, along with a new salt barn and brining station, in partnership with the Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA).
The project will also relocate the current New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Drivers Testing Area to this new Cape May County Airport Government Services area. This multi-phase, multi-year project has a projected completion date of 2024.
Cape May County Freeholders Gerald Thornton and E. Marie Hayes are dedicated to growing the local economy in a variety of ways. They are supporters of the fishing, oyster, beverage tourism, brewery, distillery, and wine production industries and initiatives. Additionally, they have maintained the county’s low tax rate (second lowest in the state), consolidated departments to enhance economic development, and executed shared service agreements resulting in savings to municipalities.
Vote for Freeholders Gerald Thornton and E. Marie Hayes Nov. 5 for proven leadership.
Ordered and paid for by Thornton and Hayes for Freeholder, 15 Caroline Lane, Ocean City, NJ 08226.