The first Southern Camden County Economic Development Breakfast was held at The Palace, on The Black Horse Pike in Blackwood on November 19th. The event was sponsored by The Bank and featured presentations by the developers overseeing current projects being built in our region. Voorhees Town Center (formerly the Echelon Mall), Cooper Towne Center (formerly Lions Head Plaza), the Shoppes at Cross Keys and development at Camden County College were highlighted.  In addition, the SBA (Small Business Administration) discussed the availability of loan funds for small business borrowers.
 
Immediately after the breakfast, 36 exhibitors and over 300 attendees, took part in the 1st Annual Southern Camden County Business Expo.  Exhibitors reported that the expo was a terrific success and that they were looking forward to next year’s event. There was plenty of shopping and networking. The Expo event was sponsored by TD Bank and My Community Trend.

The combination of an economic development presentation and a Business Expo was a first time event for businesses along the White Horse Pike corridor, and for their neighboring communities in southern Camden County.
 
While each of our local boroughs has certain uniqueness, your Chambers of Commerce understands that what happens in our ‘Region’ effects us all.  The development represented in this event will have a profound effect on how people in Voorhees, the boroughs along the White Horse Pike and the townships of Gloucester and Winslow shop and develop. 
 
These projects will impact the value of real estate, traffic patterns and the availability of jobs in a challenging economy.

Dear Friends,

I believe that both our state and our nation need to take proactive measures to ensure that we come out of this recession quickly and in a strong position to take advantage of the economic recovery that will follow.

In October, I presented my Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan to the Legislature, and on Tuesday I signed “Invest NJ”, a key component of this plan, into law. Invest NJ will create jobs and make it easier for businesses to make new investments and spark economic growth needed to get this economy moving again.

Please watch this video about the Invest NJ Plan:

The plan has two components. The first provides a $3,000 grant to New Jersey businesses for each new job they create. That’s significant help to a business that may be considering hiring a new worker with a $30,000 salary.

The second component provides a grant equal to seven percent of any qualified capital investment over $5,000 up and through January 1, 2011. So if a business needs to upgrade their computer system at a cost of $100,000 we will provide them with a $7,000 grant to help cover their costs.

If your business is interested in applying for one of these grants please contact the New Jersey Economic Development Authority at (609) 292-1800 or you can go to their website www.njeda.com.

I know times are tough right now, but that’s why we’re doing everything we can to make sure people and businesses get the help they need to get this economy moving again and to get our state and our nation back on track.

You can find more information about my Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan at http://nj.gov/governor/home/plan.html

Sincerely,

Jon S. Corzine

Governor

Dr. Thomas A. Cavalieri, of Mullica Hill, will head School of Osteopathic Medicine

“I’m honored and humbled by the confidence that the Board of Trustees and President Owen have placed in me, and excited by the challenge of leading UMDNJ-SOM,” Dr. Cavalieri said.  “Our vision and our mission at the school are clear.  We seek to become the country’s best osteopathic medical school and to provide New Jersey and our nation with clinically skillful, compassionate and culturally competent physicians from diverse backgrounds.  I’m looking forward to working with our school’s students, faculty and staff - as well as with the many talented people at, Kennedy Health System, our principal hospital partner, and our other academic and clinical affiliates - in pursuit of those goals.”   

Dr. Cavalieri, a nationally recognized leader in geriatric healthcare and education, is the founding director of the medical school’s acclaimed New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging.  His guidance of the geriatric health and education programs at the UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine has resulted in the school being selected for eight consecutive years as one of the nation’s top schools for geriatric medical education by U.S. News & World Report.

UMDNJ is the nation’s largest free-standing public health sciences university with more than 5,500 students attending the state’s three medical schools, its only dental school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, a school of health related professions, a school of nursing and its only school of public health, on five campuses.

 

 

Will your business need a cash flow boost during the recession?

If you’re a business owner and concerned over media reports about tightening credit, you might be surprised at some of the facts that contradict the rumor.

 First, a very small number of very large banks were involved in the mortgage market melt down. Second, there are more than 8,000 banks in the United States and the vast majority have money to lend.

Why is this so?  As the stock market prices tumble, people with money to invest turn to two stable and safe havens: Treasury Bills, Bonds and Notes; and Bank CD’s and Savings.  As a result, many banks are experiencing an influx of deposit dollars.  That only helps their bottom line if they lend the money back out at higher rates than they pay for the deposits.

The ‘tightening’ issue comes in to play when the banks make decisions on your loan request. You may need more collateral, personal guarantees, or a larger spread between your real estate collateral value and the amount of the loan.  The days of financing 120% of your home value are gone, and the ‘interest only’ payment opportunities will be more difficult to obtain.

What many businesses may be less familiar with are some other options for prospective borrowers that might provide funding when a direct bank loan is unavailable.  The Small Business Administration provides loan guarantees to the bank on your behalf to supplement or replace a deficiency in collateral.  Cooperative Business Assistance Corporation lends to small businesses at very competitive rates through a variety of programs with loan pools provided by banks and other sources.  New Jersey Economic Development Authority provides loans to support diverse business projects and that includes lower rate products and longer repayment terms for certain requests.

Small business owners who need credit line products for the ups and downs of cash flow should also consider Home Equity Lines of credit.  Why?  The rates of interest are typically lower than traditional business loans and the repayment terms require much smaller monthly payments.

As a large Chamber of Commerce, most banks and the other lenders listed above, are members of our organization.  We not only know the companies, but have relationships with many of the lending officers and senior officers to help our members find the right financing resource.

Millions of dollars in financing are available for business borrowers, so don’t be afraid to ask!

Art Campbell

PresidentCEO

Cherry Hill Regional Chamber of Commerce

A & E Construction, Inc.

201 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd.

Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

Contact: Frank Sansone

856-857-9333

Abitare Apartment Homes- Voorhees Town Center

1000 Town Center Blvd.

Voorhees, NJ 08043

Contact: Stephanie McVeigh

215-412-8960

All County Kirby, LLC.

4501 Route 42

Turnersville, NJ 08012

Contact: Frank Russell

856-629-2122

Allstate/Gregory  J. Garris & Associates

540 White Horse Pike N.

Magnolia, NJ 08049

Contact: Gregory J. Garris

856-784-2505

Performance Magazine

199 New Rd. Suite 61-250

Linwood, NJ 08221

Contact: Casey Stillman

609-601-0080

Apex IT Group

2305 Wallace Blvd.

Cinnaminson, NJ 08077

Contact: Robert Marziano

Atco Family Chiropractic, LLC.

2129 Atco Ave.

Atco, NJ 08004

Contact: Shana Sandrow, DC

856-753-7225

Atrixware, LLC.

141 S Black Horse Pike Suite 9

Blackwood, NJ 08012

Contact: Frank Dunleavy

866-696-8709

Southern United  Title Agency, LLC.

30 S Maple Ave.

Marlton, NJ 08053

Contact: Renet Aftanis

856-810-0880

Everingham & Kerr, Inc.

1300 Route 73 Suite 103

Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054

Contact: Robert Everingham

856-546-6655

Extra Space Storage - Bellmawr

101 N Black Horse Pike

Bellmawr, NJ 08030

Contact: Marlon Coward

856-931-3900

blue2o Sseafood grill & bar

1906 Route 70 West

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Contact: Amy Wall

574-243-6314

Burlington County College

630 Pemberton Browns Mill Rd.

Pemberton, NJ 08068

Contact: Ronald Brand

609-894-9311

Dave & Busters

325 N. Columbus Blvd.

Philadelphia, PA 19106

Contact: Bill Finkel

215-413-1951

Days Inn & Suites

525 Route 38 E

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Contact: Marguerite Gohanna

856-663-0100

Exciting Windows by Craig & Darlene

12 Aspen Rd.

Erial, NJ 08081

Contact: Craig Rhodes

856-435-0517

AAMCO Transmissions of Turnersville

4790 Route 42 (Black Horse Pike)

Turnersville, NJ 08012

Contact: Richard Roth

(856) 228-6006

BonBon’s Parties & Events

1604 Mayflower Lane

Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Contact: Bonnie Brooker

(856) 701-8739

Brinks Home Security

272 Quigley Blvd.

New Castle, DE  19720

Contact: Adam Feinberg

(856) 473-5032

Cipriani Builders, Inc.

665 North Broad St.

Woodbury, NJ 08096

Contact: Joseph Cipriani

(856) 853-8398

Crabcake Hotline 2

307 Woods Lanes

Corner of Somerdale and Chews Landing Rd.

Somerdale, NJ 08083

Contact: Bob Cacio

(856) 232-2232

David Lerner Associates

221 Rockingham Row

Princeton, NJ 08540

Contact: Michael A. Schultz

(609) 806-2749

KPOZ Martial Arts

1109 S Black Horse Pike

Blackwood, NJ 08012

Contact: Kevin Poznek

(856) 582-5769

Romano’s Macaroni Grill

4162 Church Rd.

Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054

Contact: Steve Yurko

(856) 979-8500

Rotary Club of Winslow Township

PO Box 381

Sicklerville, NJ 08081

Contact: Mario Partee

(856) 719-1897

Safe Secure Dry Self Storage

105 Harmon Dr.

Blackwood, NJ 08012

Contact: Richard W. Baseman

(856) 374-3100

Sapphire Development Companies

357 South Gulph Rd.

Suite 300

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Contact: Stephen G. Nave

(610) 755-9201

American Executive Centers

Blackwood Redevelopment Company

Boys & Girls Club of Camden County

Brown & Connery, LLP.

Camden County Youth Advocates Program

Coldwell Banker Elite Realtors

Danzeisen & Quigley

EDTEC, Inc.

Fredric Marro, Esq. P.C.

Garden State Discovery Museum & Discovermore Toy Store

Gloucester Township Economic Development Corp.

Interior Plants, Inc.

Jan-Pro Cleaning

Joseph Oat Corp.

Katz Pierz, Inc.

Pennoni Associates, Inc.

PostNet

Prism Career Institute

Ritter Carpets

Stelwagon Roofing Supply, Inc.

The Cheesecake Factory

The Malvern School

Thornhill Associates

Voorhees Township Economic Development

WMSH Marketing Communications

Borough of Stratford

Kingsway Learning Center

Met Life/ Christopher Carrozza

Republic Services of NJ, LLC.

Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of The Apostolic Faith

Specialized Physical Therapy, LLC.

DVFG Advisors, LLC.

Keanetel

LaMartinique Lanes

Tri-County Orthopaedics, P.A.

AlphaGraphics

Allstate Insurance Co./Bewley Agency, LLC.

Brookfield Schools

Food Bank of South Jersey

Jim T. Buividas & Co., Inc.

Jarvis Electric Motors, Inc.

Governor Jon S. Corzine advanced this new economic development model by housing all of the state’s business growth incentives and the application process within one agency. Businesses will now have one location to visit for information and assistance. Applications for business financing can be accessed at www.njeda.com, and those seeking more information or assistance can call the Business Services Center at 866-534-7789.

The “new EDA” provides various other enhancements and efficiencies, including a new Business Attraction and Retention Team, with personnel to act as a single point of contact for businesses requiring assistance. Over the next 3-6 months, the team will undertake ambitious outreach efforts to retain and attract businesses within targeted industries. With the integration of the International Trade function within the EDA, the team will work with New Jersey’s global trading partners to increase foreign direct investment, while providing exporting assistance to New Jersey businesses. Under a coordinated, comprehensive marketing effort, the EDA will more aggressively market our financial products to th industry sectors vital to our state’s economy.

A more efficient state marketing effort will involve increased partnerships with the private sector, as well as with county, regional and local chambers of commerce and economic development corporations and improvement authorities. As part of this endeavor, EDA would like to work with your organization to spread our positive message and ensure your membership is aware of how these changes will benefit New Jersey businesses. We are interested in visiting with your membership to discuss this new economic development model and highlighting the new EDA in your organization’s newsletter or through other avenues of communication.

With the Corzine Administration’s realigned model for economic development, the state can more effectively provide businesses with the assistance and financial tools they need to grow and succeed. We look forward to working with you to spread this great news and introduce the new EDA to your membership.

To learn about opportunities for business growth throughout New Jersey, visit the state’s business portal at www.NewJerseyBusiness.gov.
Sincerely,

Caren S. Franzini
Chief Executive Officer

 

Students who enroll in Camden County Technical Schools will have a smoother transition into higher education and their chosen careers under a partnership agreement that CCTS signed recently with Camden County College.

The college and the technical schools have maintained a successful partnership over the last two decades and are committed to extending this relationship to better serve the residents of Camden County. Toward that end, CCC President Raymond Yannuzzi and CCTS Superintendent Albert Monillas signed the shared-service partnership agreement to formalize existing projects and pave the way for more.

Fred Cappello, dean of CCC’s Division of School & Community Academic Programs, noted that it is in the best interest of the residents of Camden County to have “a transparent, seamless and coordinated educational experience” between the institutions. The agreement is so vital, Cappello said, that Monillas made it a top priority when he became the CCTS superintendent last year. 

“Our partnership already saved the students valuable time and money by allowing them to fast-track their college education, not to mention that many of the programs provide free or reduced tuition and use books provided by the high school,” Cappello said. “Because CCC is one of the largest and most comprehensive public institutions of higher education in the state and CCTS is one of the largest vocational-technical districts in the state, this partnership is the broadest and most comprehensive of its kind in New Jersey.”

CCTS students may earn college credits through CCC in a variety of ways. These include dual-credit courses offered at the high schools during regular school hours; as part of a career program through Tech Prep and other articulation agreements; as part of the Campus Courses Program; as part of the Youth Transition to Work Program; or by taking classes after school as part of CCTS’s 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant-funded program.

There currently are 11 CCTS career programs that offer students the chance to earn college credits while still in high school. These include automotive technology, banking/finance, information technology, performing arts and pre-engineering/robotics.

Additional career programs at the high school and the Technical Institute, CCTS’s adult division, are being evaluated for future development as part of the new agreement. Also being considered are programs in the academic areas of Spanish and mathematics.

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Susan Coulby

Media Relations Manager

Camden County College

856-374-4949 (office)

609-605-0874 (cell)