ALLIANCE PROVIDES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY
The Alliance for Action has developed a report that focuses on issues of critical importance to New Jersey’s future. Titled “Infrastructure Investment – Leading New Jersey Out of Recession,” the document was distributed to the candidates for Governor, leaders and opinion-makers throughout the state.

The “issues paper” is the product of discussions and recommendations from the Alliance’s highly diverse membership. The effort was chaired by Dr. Robert Altenkirch, President of New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Alliance President Philip K. Beachem noted that the Alliance was organized during a recession 35 years ago and helped lead New Jersey to economic recovery by its emphasis on infrastructure investment. “History does repeat itself and what worked then can work again.” he declared.

The issues covered in the new Alliance report cover funding capital investments, transportation, regulatory reform, energy and utilities, education, maritime and water resources, and projects of statewide impact.

MERCER COUNTY ALLIANCE FOR ACTION ANNOUNCES A FULL PROGRAM
With the meeting scheduled for Friday, October 23rd the featured presentations – by Caren S. Franzini, Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Hamilton Township Mayor John F. Bencivengo, NJ DOT Project Managers John Campi and Thomas Carbone updating current and future improvements of U.S. Route One in Mercer County – will highlight economic development financing; the skill required in governing a growing municipality; and maintaining mobility on the State’s premier highway.

The meeting will be held at the Lafayette Yard Conference Center, Trenton, New Jersey. Registration and networking at 8:15 a.m. – program to start at 9:00 a.m. To register Go Here.

DAGGETT TO APPEAR BEFORE THE ALLIANCE FOR ACTION
Every four years the Alliance extends invitations to meet with the major candidates for governor to discuss issues of importance to its members. Invitations have been sent to Governor Corzine, Chris Christie and Chris Daggett.

The first meeting has been scheduled with Chris Daggett for Tuesday, October 27, and the location will be the Hilton Garden Inn at Raritan Center, Edison. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the program at 9:00 a.m.
To register Go Here.

RESULTS OF ALLIANCE CONSTRUCTION FORECAST SEMINAR ANXIOUSLY AWAITED
How will the economic downturn affect one of New Jersey’s most important industries --- construction? Answers will come from key figures in both private and public construction at the 25th annual Construction Forecast Seminar of the New Jersey Alliance for Action.

The Seminar will be held on Thursday, November 5, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Lafayette Yard Marriott Conference Center in Trenton. Among those making presentations on their two-year construction plans for 2010-2011 will be:
Pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, public and private colleges and universities, casinos, private development firms, State Department of Transportation, NJ Transit, South Jersey Transportation Authority, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, utilities, National Association of Industrial and Officer Properties-New Jersey, the Delaware River Port Authority and others.

At last year’s Alliance seminar, a two-year total of $36.8 billion in private and public construction was reported – the highest in the 24 years of the seminars.

Alliance President Philip K. Beachem said the Alliance seminar results are eagerly awaited each year by all segments of the construction industry as an economic barometer of the future.

Capacity is approximately 200 and reservations are coming in quickly. To reserve your place, please Go Here.

DEP COMMISSIONER MAURIELLO TO SPEAK TO ALLIANCE ON NOVEMBER 10
NJ DEP Commissioner Mark Mauriello will feature the next program in the Alliance for Action’s “Meet the Players” series. It will be held on Tuesday, November 10, at the Alliance Offices in Raritan Plaza II, Raritan Center (3rd floor conference room) with registration at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10 a.m. The Commissioner will report on DEP activities and answer questions.
To make a reservation, please Go Here.

STATE DOT PROVIDES $104 MILLION FOR LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
A record $104 million has been awarded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation in state aid to municipalities for construction projects on local roads. With the help of federal stimulus funds, the amount being awarded for the 2010 fiscal year is up about 31 percent.

The program will benefit 457 municipalities and represents an increase of $25 million over last year’s $78.75 million grants. DOT Commissioner Stephen Dilts said the funding will assist municipalities in all 21 counties to repave and repair streets, install new traffic signals, make intersection improvements and provide pedestrian safety measures.

CONGRESSIONAL BILL INCLUDES $185 MILLION FOR NEW JERSEY PROJECTS
New Jersey would receive more than $185 million for energy and water projects as part of a $35 billion spending bill sent by Congress to President Obama for his approval.

Sponsored by New Jersey’s Congressmen and US Senators, the major projects to be funded would include:
-$90 million for ongoing work to deepen the New Jersey/New York harbor.
-$20.2 million for beach nourishment at ten different points from Cape May to Port Monmouth, along with a study of alternative beach protection methods.
-$5 million to acquire and demolish flood-prone homes from willing sellers in Wayne and Pompton Lakes in Passaic County.
-$3 million for research into plant biotechnology including renewable energy and “green chemicals” by a university consortium which includes Rutgers.

OYSTER CREEK TO HOST COMMUNITY INFORMATION NIGHT
A community information night will be hosted by the Oyster Creek Generating Station on Thursday, October 29. It will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Oyster Creek Education Center, Route 9 on Intake View Lane.

Exelon representatives and technical experts will be on hand to provide information and answer questions on community outreach, environment, health and safety, plant operations, security and spent fuel storage.

DEP ADDS SIX BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT SITES
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) added contaminated properties in six municipalities to the list of brownfield development areas. That status makes each site eligible for up to $5 million in annual funding for remediation.

The site areas are in Kearny, Plainfield, Rahway, Lodi, Somerville and Woodbridge. The Woodbridge site, which is the largest brownfield added this year, includes several hundred acres in Keasbey that are contaminated with chemicals.

Only 31 sites, spread over 3,200 acres, are included in the DEP’s brownfield development program launched in 2002.

WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS SCHEDULE EVENT FOR
FEBRUARY 10
The New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners will hold its 12th annual Procurement Event & Expo on Wednesday, February 10 at the Pines Manor, Edison. It is the oldest state women’s business organization in the nation, with more than 1,000 members among 12 chapters in New Jersey.

The focus this year will be the federal stimulus package as it relates to funding in the areas of infrastructure, transportation, utilities and education. For more information, Go Here.

PORT AUTHORITY AND NJ TRANSIT REDESIGN WEBSITES
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and NJ Transit have redesigned websites to better serve customers of their facilities and services.

Special features of the Port Authority website () include an improved real time alert system to notify customers of incidents and events; the quickest most convenient way to get to a destination on mass transit; ability to locate easily bus carriers serving destinations in the region, a pilot program to help find the least expensive airfares at Stewart International Airport, and multi-media platforms on Port Authority initiatives and projects. NJ Transit’s redesigned and streamlined website allows passengers to view color-coded “on time” status of all rail, light rail and bus lines from the home page.

A trip planner, which integrates Google maps, also will be available on the home page. DepartureVision, which displays train departure boards on mobile devices, will be available at most stations.

GROUND BROKEN FOR AVIATION RESEARCH PARK
In Egg Harbor Township, ground was broken by the Aviation Research and Technology Park --- a seven-building, multi-million-dollar project to create over 2,000 jobs and diversify the regional economy. The Aviation Park is located adjacent to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) William J. Hughes Technical Center and Atlantic City International Airport.

The Park will be a high-technology aviation facility that provides opportunities to perform research, development, testing, integration and verification of new technologies. Private firms will be able to enter into agreements with the FAA to engage in research projects.

The Aviation Park is a non-profit corporation governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board will send out requests for Development Interest and Qualifications within the next 60 days.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
October 23, 2009 – Mercer County Chapter Meeting
October 27, 2009 – Gubernatorial Candidates Form
November 5, 2009 – 25th Annual Construction Forecast
November 10, 2009 – “Meet the Players” – Mark Mauriello
November 20, 2009 – Ocean County Chapter Meeting

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