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It was in 1997 when my colleague, Assemblywoman
Linda Stender, was elected to serve as
Chairwoman of the Union County Board of Chosen
Freeholders. Under her leadership, County
Government established a Department of Economic
Development, firmly identifying economic
development as a top priority in Union County.
Since then, the County has experienced amazing
prosperity and growth at a very rapid rate. As a
Linden native who represents the 22nd
Legislative District in the New Jersey Senate, I
only have to go as far as Route 1 to see the
changes the city has experienced, Aviation
Plaza, home to a diverse selection major
retailers, provides jobs and opportunities for
families. The revenue keeps property taxes
stable and affordable.
Investing in
our cities and towns makes for a stronger Union
County for every resident. While serving as
Chairman of the Freeholder Board in 1999, I
initiated a highly successful program we called
Downtown Union County, which provided more than
$5 million in grants to municipalities to
revitalize downtown shopping and business areas.
Across Union County, we see the results that can
be achieved when government is prepared and
ready to act when opportunity approaches.
Aviation Plaza and the Jersey Gardens Mall in
Elizabeth are very grand examples of government
leading economic development, but often a
helping hand in the form of a grant to a small
business in a community makes the difference in
achieving profitability and keeping a local
merchant operating. As elected officials, we remember that we are
placed in office to serve in every way possible.
I’m very
excited about activity in the cities I represent
in the Senate. In Linden, the Union County
Improvement Authority has been designated as the
redevelopment agency for the North Wood Avenue
area across from City Hall. Plans for the site
include an amphitheater, a park, a
retail/professional office building and a
restaurant. This will reinvigorate and open the
city’s downtown shopping district. The UCIA
also is leading the acquisition and development
of 26 properties on South Wood Avenue and plans
call for 135 residential units and 25,000 square
feet of commercial space. In Plainfield, the
Park-Madison Project is under construction and
should be completed before the end of this year.
This will bring revenue to the City of
Plainfield, jobs for residents and dollars for
local businesses. Rahway also undergoing an
impressive revitalization in its downtown
district.
The success
experienced in Union County in the recent past
was the result of vision, leadership and the
will of government to make a better tomorrow for
every family. With this concept driving us, we
should look to continually build partnerships
and find pathways to making the best Union
County possible.
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