INVESTMENT SOMERSET A Collaborative Blueprint for Economic Growth Acknowledgements Without the selfless dedication of the following individuals, the Somerset County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) report that follows, along with the many growth initiatives it ignites, would not be possible. Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders (2012) Freeholder Director Patricia Walsh Deputy Freeholder Director Peter Palmer Freeholder Robert Zaborowski Freeholder Patrick Scaglione Freeholder Mark Caliguire Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP) Board of Directors, 2012 Officers Chairperson Troy Fischer, Bridgewater Commons Vice Chairperson Stephen Reynolds, PNC Wealth Management As the only Secretary Melissa Feltmann, sanofi accredited Treasurer Edward Seliga, Advanced Solar Products Chamber in New Jersey, the Immediate Past Chairperson Frank Steinberg, Steinberg Law Offices SCBP is a true Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders partnership Freeholder Director Patricia Walsh between the Freeholder Robert Zaborowski private, public, and Members, SCBP Board of Directors non-profit sectors that speaks with a William Amann, M&E Engineers, Inc. united voice to Michael Amorosa, Somerset County Administration advance a strategic Sheila Breeding, Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company agenda to achieve Robert Bzik, Somerset County Planning Board economic vitality Michael Camerino, Esq., Mauro, Savo, Camerino, Grant & Schalk, PA in Somerset County. Mark Chazin, Esq., Gebhardt and Keifer, P.C. Peter Cocoziello, Jr., Advance Realty Group Dr. Casey Crabill, Raritan Valley Community College John Donnadio, Esq., New Jersey Association of Counties Linda Dousis, Administrative Service & Consulting Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - I - Somerset County, New Jersey INVESTMENT SOMERSET A Collaborative Blueprint for Economic Growth Members, SCBP Board of Directors (cont. from previous pg.) J. Thomas Elliott, Pfizer Global Manufacturing Stephen Emr, Team Capital Bank Anthony Esposito, New York Life Rose Evans, CPM, Levin Management Corporation Richard Fontana, Morgan Stanley, Smith Barney Eliot Goldstein, Esq., Goldstein Law Firm Reverend John Graf, Jr., Ceremonial Weddings, Inc. Paul Grzella, Courier News Chrys Harttraft, Somerset County Vocational & Technical Schools Thomas Hurley, Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club Richard Jack, Arrow S3 Alina Klein, Merrill Lynch Mark Krane, Somerset County Municipal Managers Association Jim Laskey, Esq., Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus Eileen Leahey, PSE&G Janis Lewandowski, First Energy Stuart Magloff, Cordis Glenn McCreesh, Somerset Medical Center John Papa, Johnson & Johnson Somerset County Companies Mary Pawlikowski, Carrier Clinic R. Chris Pfefferle, Sun National Bank Steven Proctor, Matheny Medical and Education Center Daniel Puntillo, Jr., John Morgan McLachlan Agency Inc. Richard Reitman, Reitman Group Henry Reynolds, Jr., The Reynolds Group, Inc. Theresa Richardson, CPA, WithumSmith+Brown Gail Rosen, CPA Paul Stahlin, CPA, Fulton Bank of New Jersey Timothy Taylor, Duke Farms Foundation William Taylor, Somerset Savings Bank, SLA Kelly Witkowski, March of Dimes David Wolfskehl, The Practice Building Team Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - II - Somerset County, New Jersey INVESTMENT SOMERSET A Collaborative Blueprint for Economic Growth CEDS Governing Committee Donna Allison, RideWise William Amann, M&E Engineering Inc. A subcommittee of Jacki Belin, Raritan Valley Community College the SCBP, the CEDS Governing Thomas Borkowski, Amboy National Bank Committee engaged Sheila Breeding, Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company the private and Philip Brown, United Way of Northern New Jersey public sectors to Robert Bzik, Somerset County Planning Board identify and Michael Camerino, Mauro, Savo, Camerino, Grant & Schalk, PA prioritize strategies Wayne DeFeo, DeFeo Associates to build, grow, and Linda Dousis, Administrative Services & Consulting sustain economic Melissa Feltmann, sanofi opportunity throughout Troy Fischer, General Growth Properties Somerset County Richard Fontana, The Somerset Hills Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and the region. James Gilligan, NJ Transit David Hollod, North Plainfield Borough This governing body Tara Kenyon, County of Somerset includes a Michael Kerwin, Somerset County Business Partnership cross-section of Mark Krane, Warren Township professionals from Laurette Kratina, Somerset County Planning Board interrelated areas Eileen Leahey, PSE&G that are integral Janis Lewandowski, First Energy to economic development, Donna LoStocco, Affinity Federal Credit Union including Anna Lustenberg, Verizon Communications government Bernie Navatto, Somerville Borough administration, Peter Palmer, Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders workforce delivery, John Papa, Johnson & Johnson life sciences, finance, Charles Parmelli, Cassidy Turley transportation, Edward Seidel, Somerset County Agricultural Board planning, education, Edward Seliga, Advanced Solar Products, Inc. tourism, energy, infrastructure, Salvatore Simonetti, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices non-profits, William Steffans, PSE&G technology, and Timothy Taylor, Duke Farms Foundation CEDS Project Team sustainability. Douglas Twyman, Cassidy Turley Project Director John Maddocks Donna Vieiro, Franklin Township Project Associate Hannah Blumenthal Project Specialist Mary Moody,PP, AICP Project Specialist Brian Reilly Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - III - Somerset County, New Jersey INVESTMENT SOMERSET A Collaborative Blueprint for Economic Growth A Note to the Reader his Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) report for Somerset County, New Jersey, identifies and prioritizes economic development strategies T that will further job creation and private-sector investment in our region of central New Jersey. These strategies are predicated on robust planning and research efforts, visioning and vetting of concepts and their intended consequences, and the deliberate collaboration among partners across the public and private sectors. Strategies identified here are largely based on the premise that limited public-sector investments should be focused where they can have the greatest impact on job creation and to leverage private-sector investment. We also recognize the significant impact that public policy plays in defining our economic future, and we seek to establish one voice for the business community in public policy decision-making. Despite efforts to be inclusive and exhaustive throughout this process, we realize we cannot be all things to all people. We do not seek to supplant the role of planning, regulatory, or policy-making bodies, but rather, are compelled to communicate the importance of employment opportunities and value-added investments in this region of the Garden State. There is much good work underway in Somerset County, New Jersey. In this CEDS report, we have connected that good work to a series of strategies to expand our economic development success. We welcome your comments and observations, and encourage you to engage with us as we implement strategies that we believe will be measurably impactful and sustainable. Sincerely, Troy Fischer, Chairperson Somerset County Business Partnership Board of Directors Peter Palmer, Freeholder Director Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders (2013) Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy - IV - Somerset County, New Jersey INVESTMENT SOMERSET A Collaborative Blueprint for Economic Growth Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Purpose and Objective ............................................................................................................................................ 9 360 Vision .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................... 10 Demographic, Socioeconomic Profile ................................................................................................................... 12 Population ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Where People Live ........................................................................................................................................ 12 Density .......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Household Characteristics ............................................................................................................................ 14 Who We Are .................................................................................................................................................. 14 Our Workers ...................................................................................................................................................... 15 Our Training .................................................................................................................................................