Camden County Workforce Investment Board

Transportation TMCC

Over 400 business and industry leaders, bankers, entrepreneurs and government officials from throughout Southern New Jersey met at the Westin Hotel and Conference Center in Mt. Laurel on September 30, to work in tandem to improve the region’s economy and promote job creation.

The 6th Annual Tri-County Economic Development Summit, sponsored jointly by Camden County, Gloucester County and Burlington County showcased the region’s resources in both the public and private sectors, as well as highlight many of the economic agendas and advancements of South Jersey. New projects and success stories in each of the three counties were acknowledged. The summit’s theme “Strength in Numbers” symbolizes the importance of the three counties working cooperatively to bringing new industry to our region.

This year’s focus was on the healthcare and education sector and the impact it has on the Southern New Jersey economy. Featured guest speakers at this year’s Tri-County Economic Development Summit included New Jersey Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney and one of our region’s greatest advocates in healthcare and education George E. Norcross, Chairman of the Board of Cooper Health System and Cooper University, who was the keynote speaker.

In his keynote address, Norcross explained the impact health care and educational institutions have on the regional economy. Projects from these anchor institutions, specifically the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and new Copper Cancer Center, are key to economic growth. He also highlighted a concept plan to bring a major research university to South Jersey. To keep our region competitive, Norcross stressed the importance of improving roads, parks, and other major infrastructure in the three counties.

“The healthcare and education facilities in our region not only serve the needs of the community, but also provide employment opportunities and act as a catalyst for economic growth,” said Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr.

“This summit brings us together with a common goal,” continued Cappelli. “Instead of competing against each other we work together to bring new industry and to create jobs in our region.”

Robert M. Damminger, Gloucester County’s Freeholder Director said, “By erasing the boundary lines of a map and working together we are increasing economic opportunities for today and for our future. We are the only counties in the state who join together to encourage economic growth, rather than compete against each other. We see the value in this strategy to attract new businesses, great ideas and investment capital to our region.” Damminger said that projects like the Paulsboro Marine Terminal and the Rowan Tech Park impact the entire region.

“The jobs that are created through these types of investment will help raise the boats for many. There will be ancillary businesses that spin off from creation of the Paulsboro Port that will benefit the entire South Jersey Region,” Director Damminger said.

Burlington County Freeholder Chris Brown spoke to the regional importance recognizing the leaders in economic development.

"Burlington County is proud to present our Good Neighbor Award to Wiley Mission, whose 70-year presence in Marlton, addressing the needs and quality of life issues of our older population, has earned it recognition and respect throughout the community-at-large. The Virtua Health organization is our hands-down winner of the Business Expansion Award. Already a major employer in South Jersey, Virtua has weathered the economic storms of the last few years, and is moving forward with the construction of a high profile $96 million Health & Wellness Center in Moorestown. We're proud to pay tribute to two organizations -- businesses -- that are focused on meeting the needs of our most important constituencies, and who have succeeded in establishing such a strong foothold and presence," stated Brown.

In addition to Burlington County’s winners Wiley Mission and Virtua Health and Wellness Center, this year’s Awardees for excellence in Economic Development included:

For Camden County:
Transportation Award - Camden County United We Ride Committee
The Camden County Transportation Management Call Center is a collaborative effort that leverages existing transportation resources in a coordinated manner in order to provide the highest and most efficient services to our transportation disadvantaged residents, including residents where transportation is an employment barrier. Utilizing current transportation providers’ expertise, call center operations, the faith based groups’ touch on the community and state of the art technology the committee has created a one-stop call center and interactive website for residents to utilize when in need of transportation. The project also addresses, through a federated community of transportation brokers, unmet transportation needs by engaging underutilized transportation resources in Camden City and throughout the County.

Workforce Development Award – The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Office and hireAbility (Camden)
The New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and hireAbility in cooperation with federal employment recruiters and contractors is holding a series of job fairs aimed at increasing federal hiring of employees with disabilities and disabled veterans. The hiring events, held at the Camden County One-Stop offices, are targeted job fairs with representatives from a dozen federal agencies present to interview pre-screened applicants for available positions within their agencies. The first fair resulted in approximately 20 people with disabilities obtaining positions at federal agencies. The next fair is scheduled for October 27, 2011 during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.


Transportation Award - Camden County United We Ride Committee

The Camden County Transportation Management Call Center is a collaborative effort that leverages existing transportation resources in a coordinated manner in order to provide the highest and most efficient services to our transportation disadvantaged residents, including residents where transportation is an employment barrier. Utilizing current transportation providers’ expertise, call center operations, the faith based groups’ touch on the community and state of the art technology the committee has created a one-stop call center and interactive website for residents to utilize when in need of transportation. The project also addresses, through a federated community of transportation brokers, unmet transportation needs by engaging underutilized transportation resources in Camden City and throughout the County.