News Across the Region

Bucks County:

Bucks County Commissioners Announce $5.4 Million Bond Savings

Over the past several months, Bucks County Finance Director Brian Hessenthaler has collaborated with the county commissioners, chief operating officer, various bank officials, financial advisors and legal counsel to monitor conditions most favorable to issue $55 million worth of bonds. The bonds will be used to fund several county projects, including $25 million for open space preservation and $14 million for the new county parking garage on Broad St. in Doylestown Borough.

Through the underwriting of PNC and Wachovia Banks, the counsel of Curtin and Heefner, and the advice of PFM -the county's financial advisor, Bucks County will save taxpayers more than $5 million over the life of the bonds. Additionally, the county has refinanced $11 million of a 1997 bond issue, which will save taxpayers $470,000 – to be reflected in the fiscal year 2009 budget.

According to Hessenthaler and Chief Operating Officer/Managing Director David Sanko, the rate of savings over the life of the refinanced bond rose from just over one percent to better than four percent due to changes in recent market conditions.

During the past calendar year, Bucks County government has cut the ribbon and opened various new capital facilities, including the county's first-ever centralized Forensic Facility, state-of-the-art 911 Communications Center, Upper Bucks Government Services Center, Class-A Fire Training Facility, three district courts and a pair of bridges. Furthermore, during 2007 and 2008, Bucks County taxpayers did not face any increase in county taxes.

Burlington County

National Children's Study Sets Office in Burlington County

Burlington County was selected as a study site for the National Institutes of Health 's National Children's Study, which is entering the next phase of operations to examine the effect of genes and the environment on children's health.

By following 100,000 children from before birth to age 21, the National Children's Study will investigate factors influencing the development of a variety of conditions including autism, learning disabilities, birth defects, diabetes, asthma, and obesity.

“The National Children's Study will encompass a nationally representative sample, designed to be a composite of the U.S. population,” said Duane Alexander, M.D., Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. “It will include children throughout the United States, from rural, urban, and suburban areas, from all income and educational levels, and from all racial groups.”

The newly awarded Study Centers were selected from a pool of applicants assessed through a competitive process. The Centers represent collaborations among universities, hospitals, health departments, and private organizations. They will recruit participants; collect genetic, biological, and environmental samples; and compile statistical information for study analyses on the relationships between health, genetics, and the environment.

Camden County:

Ground Breaks for Major Transformation in the City of Camden

Last month, Cooper's Ferry Development Association, St. Joseph's Carpenter Society, and TRF Development Partners broke ground for the Carpenter Square Project. The groundbreaking represents an unprecedented transformation in the City of Camden for “The Alley”, which is located in the Marlton Section of Camden City , immediately north of the Baird Boulevard exit along Admiral Wilson Boulevard.

In a symbolic display, the wrecker's bucket of a large wrecking machine sent the first blow into a long-vacant, dilapidated home—a home that may have at one time served as a safe haven for criminal activity. Today marked the transformation from “The Alley” to Carpenter Square , which upon completion will include 42 new owner-occupied homes and the supporting streetscape and infrastructure improvements.

This project is being achieved through the strategic partnership of Cooper's Ferry Development Association, St. Joseph 's Carpenter Society, and TRF Development Partners, in conjunction with the City of Camden , Camden Redevelopment Agency, Camden Economic Recovery Board, New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, Camden Churches Organized for People, and the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. The Carpenter Society has partnered with TRF Development Partners, Inc, a regional non-profit developer, to build and develop the 42 new owner-occupied homes in Carpenter Square.

The housing project will be completed in two development phases. The first phase will have eighteen townhomes. And via a $3.5 million site and infrastructure grant for the project from the Camden Economic Recovery Board, Cooper's Ferry Development Association will manage and install the streetscape and infrastructure improvements in support of the new housing, which include lighting, street paving, new water, sewer, and stormwater lines, and sidewalks, as well as infrastructure improvements for the existing homes in the area which are currently plagued by flooding and dilapidated streets and sidewalks.

“It is neighborhood transformation projects like this that exemplify the recovery of the City of Camden , said Councilman Frank Moran. Not only will this project provide safe and affordable housing that is attractive and well-suited to the neighborhood, as well as improved infrastructure and streetscaping but it will provide redevelopment to a community in an effort to increase the homeownership ratio, and, in turn, decrease the crime rate and drug activity in the local community.

The Carpenter Square site has exceptional access to downtown Camden and Philadelphia , both of which are within one mile. It is also within walking distance to the Camden County Park system, the Cooper River Greenway, Camden High School , the thriving Federal Street business district, and a new elementary school currently under construction.

CHESTER County:

Global Footwear Company in Chester Wins Green Award

Dansko, a global footwear company headquartered in West Grove, PA, was presented with a Green Power Purchasers Award in the Small Businesses category at PennFuture's 6th annual Green Power Awards luncheon on September 16, 2008. Dansko was acknowledged for purchasing 100 percent of its electricity from wind power and for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) of its new construction gold certified office and retail complex in West Grove.

Founded by Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup in 1991, Dansko designs, markets and sells comfort footwear for men and women. The company currently imports about 2 million pairs of shoes annually and employs approximately 130 people.

PennFuture works to create a just future where nature, communities and the economy thrive. They enforce environmental laws and advocate for the transformation of public policy, public opinion and the marketplace to restore and protect the environment and safeguard public health. The organization advances effective solutions for the problems of pollution, sprawl and global warming; mobilizes citizens; crafts compelling communications; and provides legal services and policy analysis.

Delaware County:

County University Spotlight -- Rosemont College

Rosemont College's Schools of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS), located in Rosemont, PA, have been educating adult learners for over twenty years. As a community dedicated to educating men and women, SGPS offers students advanced curricula, personalized attention, and practical internship experiences. Rosemont's academic programs are exceptional and prepare adult learners to meet the demands of today's workplace by offering seven graduate degrees, including masters of arts degrees in English literature; English and publishing; and curriculum and instruction, as well as a masters of fine arts degree in creative writing, a masters of science in management, and a masters of business administration.

SGPS also offers accelerated undergraduate bachelors of science degrees in criminal justice, management, marketing, human resource management, and accounting. Bachelors of art degrees are available in organizational development and business communication. Rosemont's staff understands that you are a busy professional adult, with many other commitments in your life. Rosemont's course scheduling is flexible and fits into your schedule. Classes meet in the evenings and on weekends throughout the calendar year. With small classes and an approach that is personal, students never feel they are “just a number.” For more information call 1.888.2ROSEMONT or visit the College's website at www.rosemont.edu.

Gloucester County:

Rowan Opens First Building at South Jersey Technology Park

Rowan University recently opened the Samuel H. Jones Innovation Center, the first building constructed at the South Jersey Technology Park. Rowan University was awarded a grant of $5.8 million by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to establish SJTP, with the goal of leading the economic revitalization of southern New Jersey through an integrated program of science and technology initiatives.

"The opportunity for this Tech Center to grow and grow and grow is considerable," said Dr. Donald Farish, Rowan's president.” To fulfill this mission, SJTP was incorporated as a non-profit corporation, South Jersey Technology Park @ Rowan University, Inc. The Board of Directors of SJTP was elected and a strategic plan was developed and put into action.

Located on Rt. 322 (Mullica Hill Road) near the junction of Rt. 55 in Mantua Township, SJTP provides competitively priced class “A” facilities for start-up and established companies that bring innovative technologies to the marketplace, and serves as a home for technology-focused researchers, inventors, entrepreneurs, professors and students.

SJTP's Master Plan provides for a 200-acre mixed research and academic technology park campus, and is an integral part of the proposed 580-acre Rowan University West Campus. The 200-acre SJTP site has a building capacity of approximately 1.5 million square feet.

The recently completed Samuel H. Jones Innovation Center is the first of twenty-five planned buildings. It is a mixed-use facility that will accommodate academic R&D programs and provide the resources necessary to incubate emerging technology enterprises. Both academic research activity and incubation of private combines are integral to creating a nucleus of high tech activity at the Rowan West Campus.

The Samuel H. Jones Innovation Center is a 45,000 square-foot LEED Certified building with approximately 22,500 square feet devoted to laboratory and office space for academic research and 22,500 square feet available for private tenants, including Rowan's Technology Business Incubator for startup companies. Current tenants of the Samuel H. Jones Innovation Center include the Rowan College of Business incubator and Rowan College of Engineering research laboratories.

Tenants at SJTP have access to research, development and commercialization expertise of the Rowan University 's engineering, science and business faculty, and more. The access to University talent, research facilities and on-campus amenities comprises “ The Rowan Connection™."

Mercer County:

Chamber Launches New Chapter in Bordentown

The Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce has launched a Greater Bordentown Chapter to establish an official presence in northern Burlington County. As reported by NJ.com, the decision comes after a period of growth and transformation along the Route 130 corridor in Mercer as well as in Burlington County. The route is home to top tier tenants such as Barnes & Noble, Lowe's, Wal-Mart and Kohl's. The Chapter was established at the request of Mercer chamber members in Burlington County.

The Greater Bordentown Chapter -- the Mercer chamber's seventh named chapter -- gives it a visible presence in northern Burlington County. The Mercer chamber, which is headquartered in Hamilton, has approximately 1,200 members.

The chapter will hold regular meetings on the second Tuesday of the month. As part of the effort to get the chapter off the ground, there will be a strategy meeting from 8 to 9 a.m. Nov. 11 at Primepoint, 163 Route 130, Building 1C, Bordentown Township . For more information, call Burkitt at (609) 298-7373, ext. 303.

Montgomery County:

Abington Named One of the Top 100 Communities in America by Money/CNN

Abington was recently selected as one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in America by Money Magazine/CNN. This is in addition to the area's previous recognition by America's Promise as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People.

Money/CNN noted that: "A half hour north of Philadelphia, it boasts good schools, bustling shopping districts and a variety of diverse small communities. Leisure and culture can be found at the famous Keswick Theatre or Briar Bush Nature Center, and there is a plethora of after-school programs for kids." To view the listing online, visit: Money/CNN.

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NEW CASTLE County:

The Hammond Group Joins The New Castle County Incubator Program

The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce's has added The Hammond Group as part of its Emerging Enterprise Center (EEC) business incubation program. The Hammond Group provides counseling and clinical support for at risk children and children with various issues that range from behavioral, Autism to sexual abuse. The company also works with adjudicated youth with legal and clinical problems. The company was previously a tenant in another incubator in New Jersey where it grew from zero to sixty-five employees in less than two years.

The company is now expanding operations to Delaware where it hopes to repeat its previous success. The firm has already created two new positions that will be based at the EEC to oversee their Delaware expansion.

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. Other tenants of the center include Integrated Home LLC, Thompson Search Consultants, Blue Assurance, and Genoese & Associates.

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.

SALEM COUNTY:

Low Interest Emergency Loans Available for Salem County Farmers

Salem County officials recently announced available assistance for local farmers to apply for low interest emergency loans through the Federal Government. “The availability of the low interest emergency loans is a direct result of the recent crop disaster designation for Salem County,” said Freeholder Director Lee Ware. “The last major storm literally destroyed crops throughout the county; there is no way for the farmers to recoup their losses.”

“Farmers lost tomatoes, peppers, corn, and soy beans,” said Deputy Director Lindenmuth. “We have to keep in mind that our farmers make most of their living during the summer to survive the winter.”

Salem County has a very stable farming community that contributes to the quality of life for Salem County residents. The county covers 338 square miles and nearly half of the land is actively farmed. “We will tirelessly continue to demonstrate to our constituents our firm resolve to keep our county the Garden Spot of the Garden State,” said Freeholder Timberman.