News Across the Region  |
Bucks County:BENSALEM LAUNCHES ECO-FRIENDLY VEHICLES AND ADOPT A ROAD PROGRAMBensalem Township held a press conference last month where Mayor Joseph DiGiroiamo and members of Township Council introduced and discussed the deployment of green energy-conscious vehicles, as well as a new roadway beautification partnership with area businesses. In addition to an existing fleet of five natural gas vehicles in place since 2004, Bensalem Township has added four Smart Cars, which were recently introduced to the U.S. All nine vehicles are utilized by various operating departments. Bensalem is among the first municipalities in the Philadelphia region to go Smart in conducting municipal business. Bensalem is vigilant in setting goals to bolster fuel economy as well as lessen its environmental footprint. "We see the addition of the Smart fleet as just one contribution toward reaching our energy conservation objectives, Said Mayor DiGiroiamo. "The Smart fleet will replace one-for-one older, less economical passenger vehicles currently in use." Adopt-a-Road is a local variation of the highly succesful Adopt-a-Highway program utilized by PENNDOT and others. A local business, civic organization or individual agrees to conduct a clean-up of their road or intersection at least two times per year. The program has begun successfully with seven roadways already adopted. The goal is to have every significant township road adopted by year end. Burlington County:COUNTY TO RECEIVE $1 MILLION FROM U.S. FOR FARM PRESERVATION Burlington County will receive more than $1 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to preserve land in the Military Installation Buffer Zone around McGuire Air Fore Base and Fort Dix through an agreement to be signed by the Freeholders. Freeholder Director Aubrey Fenton will sign the agreement with the Air Force to accept $1.08 million from the Defense Department’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative which assists military bases with encroachment issues. “The County’s Farmland Preservation Program is an effective tool to minimize conflicting land uses that could impact the bases. We plan to use these federal funds to support the preservation of several farms totaling approximately 800 acres in the most critical areas of the two-mile-radius buffer zone,” said Freeholder Bill Haines, Jr. Haines noted that the County has been pursuing alternative funding sources in lieu of the depletion of funds in the Garden State Preservation Trust program. “This $1 million is especially helpful in light of the state revenue source running out,” Haines said. One of the farms in the buffer zone that the County plans to use the funds on is the 125-acre Bell Farm in North Hanover purchased by the County last year. The other farms targeted for the funds are at various stages of the preservation process. The agreement and County policy state that farms can only be purchased through voluntary participation by the owners. A total of 63 farms totaling 6,673 acres have been preserved to date in the military buffer zone. The County is targeting another 20,000 acres of farmland to be preserved through public acquisition programs and innovative zoning techniques. <Back to main page> Camden County:Campbell Soup buys parking authority LOT in CamdenCampbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) announced this month that it has acquired a 1.1-acre tract of land previously owned by the Camden Parking Authority as part of its efforts to develop an office park adjacent to its headquarters. Campbell purchased the land, which had been used as a parking lot for city vehicles, for $181,000. The property is located between 11th Street and Admiral Wilson Boulevard in Camden. It is adjacent to two additional parcels Campbell purchased earlier this year (a former commercial laundry operation and elevator building). In total, Campbell has acquired more than 5 acres of land in the immediate area for redevelopment as part of a planned office park. Plans call for the office park to accommodate 200,000 square feet of office space. "This latest land acquisition demonstrates Campbell's commitment to the revitalization of the Gateway District," said Robert Zane, Campbell's Vice President of Real Estate Operations. "We are making great strides with this project and look forward to the many benefits it will bring to Campbell, to the city and to the entire region." In July, Campbell demolished the abandoned and graffiti-covered Sears Tire and Battery building, located next to the long-neglected Sears building, on Admiral Wilson Boulevard. The demolition was a significant step in the revitalization of the Gateway District. The Camden Redevelopment Agency condemned the tire and battery building, and Campbell paid for the demolition of the site. The 1.9-acre site also will become part of the planned office park. Campbell and Camden County Municipal Authority have also begun utility relocation projects necessary to construct Campbell's 80,000-square foot employee services building. Additionally, Campbell has completed renovations to several entrances of its existing buildings. The planned office park will sit on approximately 100 acres, with Campbell's campus occupying approximately 40 acres. The development will span parcels that previously contained vacant and neglected buildings, empty parking lots and other parcels not being used. Campbell plans to invest up to $72 million in its new facilities and government agencies will invest approximately $23.5 million to upgrade roadways and other utilities in the area. CHESTER County:CHESTER COUNTY NAMED AMONG TOP PLACES TO LIVEThe Chester County Commissioners announced the ranking of Chester County as one of the top 10 places in the country to raise a family by Forbes.com. "Forbes has recognized what residents of Chester County have known for years,” said Chair Carol Aichele. “We have a wonderful community for children and families.” Commissioner Terence Farrell said, “As someone with a long and personal association with Lincoln University I’m aware of our county’s top-notch educational system. The school districts in Chester County are excellent.” Commissioner Kathi Cozzone pointed out the quality of life of Chester County. “We have worked hard to preserve our open space and provide parks and recreational areas for the citizens.” According to Forbes.com, a number of areas were examined to rank communities, including high school graduation rate, SAT scores, property tax, housing costs, cost of living, air quality, crime rate and time residents commuted to work. Chester County has a population of 482,112. The county has a 96 percent high school graduation rate SAT scores at 1,075. According to Forbes.com, the medium home price is at $328,400. Delaware County:DELAWARE COUNTY CHAMBER RECOGNIZES LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR
The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is holding an event on September 11th, 2008 - sponsored by Exelon - to recognize State Representative Bill Adolph as its 2008 Legislator of the Year. Mr. Adolph is being honored for his strong commitment to the Delaware County business community, especially for being an advocate for small business. For more information, please visit www.delcochamber.org. Gloucester County:MAJOR ROAD ImprovementS TO ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTIONFreeholder Director Stephen M. Sweeney and Freeholder Deputy Director Robert M. Damminger announced this month that the road improvements have been completed on Almonesson Road (CR 621), between State Highway Route 55 and Caulfield Avenue. The Almonesson project includes lane expansions and a new traffic signal at the intersection of Almonesson Road (CR 621) and Locust Grove Boulevard. "Almonesson Road is highly utilized by residents, commercial traffic from the Mall area and commuters traveling between Delsea Drive, Route 55 and Route 41. These improvements bring greater safety for all travelers through this area and better access for residents along this route," stated Freeholder Director Sweeney. Directory Sweeney went on to explain that the new traffic signal will provide a safer means of access for all traffic but will be especially helpful in providing direct accessibility for the Locust Grove subdivision on the west and the Heritage development, age restricted community, on the east. "The expansion of the roadway will alleviate congestion," stated Freeholder Deputy Director Damminger, liaison to county Public Works. Deputy Director Damminger further explained that the Route 55 overpass on Almonesson Road will now have the two lanes continue from the commercial area of the Deptford Mall. The project also included resurfacing and other the safety improvements such as replacing inlet grates with bicycle safe grates, putting down new striping and pavement reflectors for better wet weather and nighttime reflectivity, and adding auxiliary left turn lanes at all the intersections. Freeholder Frank J. DiMarco stated that the project was funded through NJ DOT State Aid Funds and completed under the direction of the Board of Freeholders. "As a resident of Deptford, I have seen first hand the need for these improvements and I am glad to see these services delivered to local residents and the many visitors that come to this area," stated Freeholder DiMarco. <Back to main page> Mercer County:U.S. Census Bureau shows Growth Surge in Mercer County Mercer County has experienced a recent surge in population since 2000 – particularly in West Windsor, Robbinsville and Hamilton – mostly due to construction booms in the region. Montgomery County:Philadelphia Business Journal Names RAM Technologies to Top 25 List of Tech EmployersRAM Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of administrative software for healthcare payers has been named to the Philadelphia Business Journal’s List of Top Tech Employers in the Greater Philadelphia region. RAM Technologies, based in Montgomery County, develops leading edge software solutions to automate the administration of health benefits for health plans and benefit administrators. Their solutions include HEALTHsuite® and eHealthsuite™ -- both of which help to maximize efficiencies in a paperless environment. "Being named to the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Top 25 List is an honor,” states Christopher P. Minton, Executive Vice President of RAM Technologies. “It is recognition for our hard work and our growing influence in the healthcare software industry.” The Philadelphia Business Journal list recognizes the top Tech Employers in the Greater Philadelphia Area. In addition to their inclusion on the list of Tech Employers, RAM Technologies has also placed in the Journal’s list of Top Software Developers in the region. NEW CASTLE County:New Small Business Incubator GIVEs Start-ups a Helping HandThe New Castle County Chamber of Commerce has opened a new small business incubator designed to give promising companies a chance to get off the ground by offering affordable rent and business support systems. The goal is to serve as an incubator offering a comprehensive program of assistance to help early stage firms develop into thriving businesses. The incubator will help nurture the entrepreneurial spirit and promote economic development in New Castle County by providing affordable office space and services, training, mentoring and a network of professional advisors. Genoese & Associates, a full service accounting and wealth management firm, is the incubator's newest resident business to rent space at the Emerging Enterprise Center . The company, led by Lee Genoese, moved in earlier this month. Other companies at the Center include: Integrated Home, LLC, an integrator of state-of-the-art audio, video, lighting, communications, network and control equipment in new and existing construction; Blue Assurance, a provider of Information Assurance and other security services to the Department of Defense and contracting community; and Thompson Search Consultants, a specialty employment search firm focused on legal placements. The incubator is not just about a physical building with low rental rates, but rather is a 'holistic" program intended to help a new business succeed in such a way that it will have the ability to "graduate" from the program within a defined time period. Participants have access to customized business and technical assistance geared to the specialized needs of each tenant company. Along with creating an opportunity for growth of individual companies, the Emerging Enterprise Center provides an environment in which like-minded businesses can accelerate their potential through partnerships, joint ventures, and other collaborations. Conveniently located, the Emerging Enterprise Center is a short drive from downtown Wilmington , AMTRAK train station and the riverfront area. At the same time it is easily accessible by major roads like I-95, Rt. 1, Rt. 273, Rt. 40 and Rt. 13, with Newark and New Castle in close proximity. Travel time to Philadelphia International Airport , downtown Philadelphia and Baltimore is in the range of fast commute as well. <Back to main page> SALEM COUNTY:County to get homeland security fundsSalem County will receive $459,000 in New Jersey State funding as part of an effort to enhance the area's homeland security. The grant was based on the county's individual risk assessments. As reported in Today's Sunbeam, county Prosecutor John Lenahan noted that through four years of funding, the federal Department of Homeland Security has provided Salem County just under $4.2 million for its counter-terrorism efforts. The County Working Group is responsible for developing a strategic county homeland security plan that identifys county needs, prioritizes projects and develops implementation approaches. <Back to main page>
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