CITY OF PATERSON Volume V Issue 2 Fall 2011 Urban Enterprise Zone What’s Inside Message from the UEZ Message from the UEZ Director Page 1 Message from Mayor Jones There are many changes taking place at the Paterson Urban Enterprise Zone as the state transitions the program from Page 2 state to local government. One of the changes that affect our UEZ Members make members is the relocation of the local UEZ office. We are now located at 125 Ellison Street –Second Floor. If you have any a difference questions please feel free to call us at 973-321-1212. Our new Page 3 fax number is (973) 321-1359. On July 1, 2011 the New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone Program SBDC Activities transitioned the business certification process whereby all Page 4 certifications and Annual Reporting must be done on-line. You can go to the New Jersey Business Premier Center at: About the Program http://www.state.nj.us and register your Annual Report on- Page 5 line. The on-line program will also afford you the ability to pay your sales taxes, complete applications for new businesses and offer a business friendly way for you UEZ Business Spotlight to secure and maintain UEZ benefits for your firm. Remember there are no fees, only Page 6,7,8 incentives in becoming a member of the UEZ. New to the Zone As we move forward, we will keep you posted on any new changes that affect your business. Look for the e-mail blogs that will be sent to you from time to time and Page 8,9 don’t forget to visit our website at www.patersonuez.com. If we do not have your List of UEZ Businesses e-mail address or you have changed it, please submit it to: [email protected]. Page 10 We are continuing to offer revolving loans with a low-interest rate. If you are thinking about expanding your business or if you need new equipment please contact us for more information regarding the UEZ Revolving Loan Program. ur business op r yo po During your Holiday season, which is just around the corner, fo rtu please see the beautiful wreaths that are sponsored by ns n the UEZ all up and down Main and Market Streets, while o it ti ie enjoying the 3 ½ % sales tax. The Holiday decorations u s are scheduled to be installed over the Thanksgiving l o Holiday. In addition, look for other amenities s sponsored by the UEZ on Main Street. You will n a soon see that we’ve added a second street b clock, another kiosk, newspaper racks, and r u within the next few months hanging baskets l will adorn Main Street with beautiful vibrant u f flowering plants. r I want to take this opportunity to thank e each of our UEZ businesses for your w continued support and welcome our new o p businesses and to thank you for your patience during this time of transition. g n i t a e –Jan Northrop r C www.PatersonUEZ.com 1 A Message from Mayor Jeff Jones Greetings; As Mayor, my visions for the City of Paterson include many exciting projects that I’d like to share with you, the business community. One key goal of this administration was to create “Paterson P.M.” – A return of nightlife to make Paterson a family friendly place to visit as a nighttime and weekend leisure and tourism opportunity! To date, Paterson P.M. has been quite successful in bringing cultural functions to the city during the evening hours. People found out that they do not have to travel to New York and other places for evening entertainment. Look for many more Paterson P.M. activities that you can enjoy right here in your own neighborhoods. When we mention “tourism,” several Paterson sites are being targeted for revitalization. The Great Falls National Park, the Armory, Hinchcliff Stadium and our five bridges are among those sites. These are vital economic ventures that we are capitalizing on to exemplify and to restore Paterson to her “glory days” as a thriving metropolis for the arts & culture, manufacturing, world-class entertainment and tourism. I will keep you updated on our progress as we embrace our past and plan for our future. Paterson has been chosen as one of four cities including Los Angeles, New York and Canada to host a Chinese delegation from China to join in discussions of returning manufacturing to our footprint. This visit will afford the group an opportunity to see firsthand our city and how the partnership can be developed between Paterson and China. As we scan Paterson’s skyline, we continue to see great industrial factories and textile buildings that stand as monuments to our past prominence in the history of the United States. We are committed to revitalizing this city as we focus on the beautiful architecture found throughout our buildings, our five bridges and the landscape; for these are great attributes to build upon. As we structure our plans for the city, we commit to positioning ourselves to be self-sustaining, to generate more revenue and to the creation of new jobs. One of the main features in accomplishing this is to produce our own bottled water. The water is developed through the Municipal Utilities Authority from a bottling plant in Blairstown, New Jersey. The first bottles of our Great Falls spring water is here and will be distributed throughout the city’s vending machines, restaurants and in time, in our local retail stores. Revenue from the sale of Great Falls spring water will ultimately generate more dollars for the city and reduce taxes in the end. In our efforts to ensure that the entire city is in concert, we are designing a series of head-to-head, quarterly roundtable discussions with realtors, developers, health officials, recreational leaders and others to further explore the growth and development of our city’s “gems in the rough.” One of the catalysts in this economic strategy is the Paterson Urban Enterprise Zone. It is through the efforts of the UEZ that Paterson and the business community is able to benefit from the many economic development opportunities that they offer. Paterson’s businesses are on the rise, attracted by our low 3 1/2% sales tax opportunity, as well as the economic benefits created by UEZ’s innovative programs. The excitement is contagious, so join forces with us to ensure that Paterson continues to be on the cutting-edge of revitalization and stabilization for the next century! I wish you much luck in your business endeavors and welcome you to work with us to reach our mutual goals for Paterson’s rebirth, growth and development. Sincerely, Jeff Jones Jeff Jones Mayor www.PatersonUEZ.com 2 UEZ Members Make a Difference . President Barack Obama pays visit to Lowe’s Sunday, September 4, 2011 will go down in the history books for Lowe’s Store Manager, Michael Bergamo and his team. That’s the day that President Barack Obama made a surprise visit to Lowe’s on Route 20 in Paterson. Below is a portion of Michael’s conversation with the President. “What a great two days here in Paterson. Lowe’s helped over 3300 community members yesterday and those numbers were increased today. The President, Governor Christie and Congressmen Pascrell were welcomed to our store with cheers. They walked the volunteer line, shaking hands and taking pictures with community members and Lowe’s associates. My conversation with the President lasted about five minutes. He thanked me for our efforts with the community and for giving back. He said: Michael, that was amazing that you got the store reopened and running the day after the storm... I said: Sir, we never closed. He said Michael let’s take a picture together... He asked me to get some of my team members into the photo. He said: Michael look over into that camera, he’s my guy. I thanked him so much for being part of our day. He said I will send you a copy of our photo, I’ve got your information. He then proceeded to meet and greet the rest of the crowd, taking pictures and shaking hands. He left to a roar of applause.” During the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, the Lowes’ team joined Rev. David King of the Paterson Seven Day Adventist Church with ”Feed the Children” project and set up the relief site in the parking lot at Lowe’s. Together they provided thousands of residents with three truckloads of cleaning supplies, food and other emergency items. “To give back to the community of that magnitude, was a blessing for us,” said Mr. Bergamo. When asked about President Obama’s visit, he stated, “The President’s visit was not political, he was just being a good human being. For one-half hour he chose to be a part of our community. When 95% of your associates are residents of Paterson, why not give back to this community? It’s the right thing to do. The success of the store is a reflection of community support and a great team of associates.” Our hats are off to the fine people at Lowe’s for a job well done. Trolley lends a hand . he UEZ Trolley helped transport the flood victims from local shelters to various stores to purchase food and supplies in Tthe aftermath of Hurrricane Irene. We are very grateful to the hard work and dedication of UEZ Trolley driver, Ileana Roger and the Paterson Parking Authority.