Impacting Economic Expansion and Retention in New Jersey: A Land Use Perspective (CM | 2.0)

New Jersey has many assets – an educated and skilled workforce; a high quality of life; the country’s 2nd largest port; one of the nation’s busiest airports; prestigious educational institutions and corporate headquarters; one of the nation’s largest office markets, the third largest warehouse distribution center, a powerful global pharmaceutical hub, a major financial center, location amid one of the world’s most prosperous mega regions; and excellent mass transit, intercity, and highway services. Despite these assets, the state’s economy – as measured either by gross domestic product or employment — has been waning, and showing no signs of gaining positive momentum.

Many corporations are saying that they have no plans for expanding their presence in New Jersey; some are even considering relocation outside the state. The conference will investigate how better land use planning, investment in our infrastructure, and regulatory reform can shape a new model for New Jersey that will attract and retain business and our competitiveness in the world markets.

The centerpiece of the conference will be a roll-out of the results of PlanSmart NJ’s new focus group research that queries business leaders throughout the state on what is driving their expansion and relocation decisions and how land use can play a key role in reinvigorating New Jersey’s economy.

Visit: www.plansmartnj.org