Task Force Convenes to Confront Region’s Economy

COURT HOUSE – The inaugural session of the 1st Legislative District Economic Development Task Force gathered elected officials, business owners and two community college presidents from the sprawling district to Atlantic Cape Community College Nov. 6.
Freeholder directors from Cumberland and Atlantic counties were present, but not from Cape May County, although its vice director is a member.
Called to order by Sen. Jeff Van Drew, who chaired the session, and Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak, (both D-1st), vice chair, were 11 of 24 members. Similar to a state budget hearing, there was no public input at the meeting, but Van Drew said later meetings would afford the public an opportunity to speak to the group.
The many challenges of putting the district on solid, year-round economic footings cross party lines. Van Drew stated the task force was “non-partisan and non-political.”
Regardless, the Republican member of the legislative team, Assemblyman Samuel Fiocchi, sat with the public, as he is not a task force member.
Although Fiocchi was recognized by Van Drew, “We are glad you are here, we welcome you as well,” the assemblyman was not at the table.
He stated in a release, “Despite the purely partisan and political decision to exclude me from officially being a part of the task force, I’m looking forward to attending as a member of the public to solicit support for these bipartisan initiatives or any other proposal that would benefit our mutual constituents.”
Politics and sentiments aside, hard economic facts gripped the group.
All three counties are at or near the bottom of state rankings in median income, children living below the poverty level, families on government assistance, and high on unemployment rolls, especially with closure of three casinos in Atlantic City.
While the geographic location is desirable for agriculture and tourism, it is not good for high-paying manufacturing jobs. Government and education are among the region’s top employers even though Cape May is ranked second in seafood landings on the East Coast.
Van Drew noted “Numbers tell the story. We need to do better and we can do better. That is the theme and the goal. There are not going to be instant answers or political answers for a campaign. Hopefully answers for the public, electorate and leaders who really care. That is the purpose of what we are doing today.”
Post-recession, some of those numbers include a Cape May County unemployment rate of 19.8 percent in January 2013 and 12 percent annual average. In Cumberland County, January 2013 unemployment was 15 percent, and 12.2 percent average. Both counties compare to the state average of 9.8 percent in January 2013 and 8.2 percent average, according to figures presented later by Dr. Richard Perniciaro, vice president, Atlantic Cape Community College.
Perniciaro and James Watson, director of development, Cumberland County Improvement Authority gave the afternoon’s presentations regarding employment outlooks and possibilities that exist to make the district more likely to have a stable, long-range future, one that will draw college-educated young adults who will remain and raise families in the region.
While Perniciaro cited the importance of tourism, and noted it could not be supported year-round, at least at present, he said there were other facets of tourism that could attract crowds, locally harvested seafood, locally grown and made wines and beers.
He warned the group not to think the region could support winter tourism, as other parts of the country are more favorable due to their climate.
Watson highlighted some of the undertakings of the Cumberland County entity that is seeking to generate dollars in the three urban centers of Bridgeton, Vineland and Millville. He added that the Cumberland County Technical School was to be built by the Cumberland County Community College, to give students a broader perspective of opportunities available to them after graduation.
“To grow the economy, improve the amount of value you provide,” noted one of Perniciaro’s slides.
He cited growth strategies, horizontal and vertical. The first leaves the industry base unchanged; gaining value by adding to what is already present, for instance eco-tourism at local farms and wineries. Vertical development, he said, alters the relationship between natural assets and technology. In Cumberland, that meant a shift from glass production to plastic and for fishing in Cape May via Borden’s plant into clam products.
Another example he cited of vertical development was in Florida where retirement villages built on senior citizens living and supporting widespread businesses in those retirement settings.
Similarly, Watson noted that a building was being located in downtown Millville, where the college would hold classes that would place students in the heart of the city, where they might help expand the economy by purchasing retail items there.
Several problems of attracting business to the area were also mentioned. Among them layers of state bureaucracy, and that the Workforce Investment Board, while well intended to provide job training, often wastes funds by training workers for jobs that no longer exist.
New Jersey’s inability to move quickly, due to many government regulations, put it at a disadvantage for businesses that seek to locate in a “business friendly” area.
South Carolina was cited as a state that could move quickly to make it possible for businesses to decide to locate there. An example that was made, something that might take nine months to finalize in New Jersey, due to regulations, can take only three months in South Carolina.
Task force members present:
Joseph Derella, Cumberland County freeholder director
Frank Formica, Atlantic County freeholder director
Norris Clark, Lower Township deputy mayor
James Quinn, Millville vice-mayor, director of revenue and finance
Dr. Thomas Isekenegbe, president, Cumberland County College
Dr. Peter Mora, president, Atlantic Cape Community College
Dr. Richard Perniciaro, vice president, Atlantic Cape Community College Planning, Research, Facilities and Executive Support
Barbara Jones, owner, Servpro Cape May and Cumberland counties
Raymond Burke, dealer principal, Burke Motor Group
Ralph Cooper, board member, Upper Township Business Association
Carol Johnston, director, Medical, Industrial and Heavy Equipment for Medical Consultants Instructional Training Center