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Economic Development Committee
The Economic Development Committee is an advisory committee for the purposes of addressing the economic development needs of the Township and advising the Mayor and Township Council of actions the Council may undertake to assist in the economic development of the Township.
The EDC Mission is to create a more dynamic and enriched community by
- Acting as a liaison between the Township and existing businesses and industries within the Township,
- Helping to develop programs designed to revitalize existing business properties and attract desirable businesses and industries to the Township,
- Studying problems in the Township relating to industry and other commercial enterprises, and
- Formulating policies, programs and projects with respect thereto for recommendation to the Mayor and Township Council.
Major Accomplishments of the EDC for 2021
- Developed an Economic Development strategic plan (which is currently being updated for 2022).
- Assisted in the preparation of the Economic Development Element of the 2021 Berkeley Heights Master Plan.
- Rolled out Economic Development Committee outreach program to local businesses.
- Created an EDC database to develop an ongoing line of communication and facilitate engagement with current businesses.
- Initiated formal ongoing dialogue with other Township committees to effectively leverage ideas and resources.
- Created ‘case studies’ of new Berkeley Heights businesses to pinpoint challenges facing new and expanding businesses.
- Initiated development of a Berkeley Heights Business Blueprint to provide new businesses with a ‘roadmap’ to starting a new business in Berkeley Heights.
- Provided input related to the formation of the Technical Review Committee (“TRC”) to ensure a more efficient application process for new and existing businesses.
- Contributing to the development of a Technical Review Implementation Plan to facilitate effective utilization of the TRC by local businesses.
- Initiated post-mortem analysis of most recent TRC activity to ensure continuous improvement of the TRC platform from a local business perspective.
- Initiated development of a “Highlight Berkeley Heights” video to spotlight Berkeley Heights as a desirable location to do business (to be rolled out with a formal to-be-developed multimedia campaign).
- Coordinated with the Union County Economic Development Corporation to identify resources for local businesses.
- Contributing to the conceptual evaluation of the Sherman Avenue project to determine any economic development-related opportunities.
Meetings
Meetings are held monthly, except for August.
Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes
Members
The Committee consists of twelve (13) members which includes: the Mayor, 1 member of Township Council, 2 residents of the Township, and 8 members of the business community as follows:
- Representative of the Connell Park office park
- Representative of the Nokia Bell Labs facility
- Representative of the Berkeley Heights Business and Civic Association (BHBC)
- Representative of the restaurant, service, medical, real estate and light industrial communities
- Representative of the Berkeley Heights Rotary Club
- Angie Devanney, Mayor
- Manny Couto, Council Member
- Brian Kraut, Resident
Term expires: December 31, 2025 - Brian Healy, Connell Park
Term expires: December 31, 2025 - Wade Murphy, Nokia
Term expires: December 31, 2025 - Jim Mulcahy, Real Estate
Term expires: December 31, 2023 - Bob McManus, Light Industrial
Term expires: December 31, 2023 - Sam Easterday, Medical Industry
Term expires: December 31, 2023 - Patrick Smith, BHBC
Term expires: December 31, 2024 - Jalpesh Chokshi, Restaurant Industry
Term expires: December 31, 2024 - Cheri Pertisis, Service Industry
Term expires: December 31, 2024 - Jim Ramentol, Rotary Club
- Term expires: December 31, 2025