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Biz in Brief
August 2017

by Molly Mendelson

The Delaware River Port Authority is expected to approve a contract with Blackwood’s A.P. Construction for $31.9 million to install elevators in six PATCO stations. Construction is set to begin in early 2018 in the hopes of making the chosen stations fully accessible to those with disabilities. The PATCO construction will happen before the Ben Franklin Bridge repaving since this project is ready for action first.

South Jersey Gas celebrated the completion of the $103.5 million construction project entitled the Storm Hardening and Reliability Program (SHARP). After a series of utility failures caused by Hurricane Sandy, this initiative was created in 2014 to protect gas customers in Atlantic and Cape May counties in the wake of similar natural disasters.

The EDA announced the approval for $2 million in Grow New Jersey incentives to be given to three pharmaceutical manufacturers. Geri-Care Pharmaceuticals Corp. requested a $1.7 million incentive throughout 10 years. Geri-Care plans to use the money to move from Brooklyn to Lakewood, which would bring an increase of job opportunities to the state.

Cumberland, Atlantic and Cape May counties have been included in the coverage area for Comcast’s new gigabit Internet service. This new option provides customers with fast service and access to Comcast’s 17 million hotspots. The price for one gigabit service is $104.95 a month, but a promotional deal of $79.99 per month for one year is being offered.

Rowan College at Burlington County’s new student center will open this fall semester. The facility’s construction was brought to completion due to a team effort of unions, Burlington County elected officials and the university.

Cooper University Health Care was named one of the nation’s most wired hospitals by the American Hospital Association in their annual Health Care’s Most Wired survey. This is the second year in a row that Cooper received this title. The survey measures and recognizes the use of information technology within hospitals.

Kennedy University Hospital of Cherry Hill, Stratford and Washington Township has been awarded as a Best Hospital of 2017-2018 in the South Jersey Region by U.S. News & World Report. Kennedy gained recognition for its work in heart failure, colon cancer surgery and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Melitta North America announced the upcoming installation of solar panels in their Cherry Hill coffee roasting facility. This project has been chosen with hopes of increasing the company’s energy efficiencies. The overall price for construction will equal $1.3 million.

The Kennedy Cancer Center opened a new Lung Nodule Center at its location in Washington Township. The center will offer an expansion of care opportunities for patients with abnormal areas on a lung scan often diagnosed as lung nodules.

The headquarters of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority in Trenton will be renamed the Caren Franzini Memorial Building, in honor of the woman who led the EDA for close to 20 years. The late Franzini, a major contributor to New Jersey’s business landscape, joined the EDA in 1991 as its deputy director and took charge of the organization three years later. She remained in the role until 2012 before starting her own consulting firm.

Investors Bank named Margaret Lanning senior vice president and chief credit officer. She will assume her role immediately, reporting directly to Investors Bank’s chief risk officer.

The Garden State Wine Growers Association presented Sen. James Beach (D) with the organization’s 2017 Legislator of the Year. The award honors the senator’s tireless efforts to support and maintain the industries growth across New Jersey.

Kennedy has named James R. Williams, M.D., medical director of the newly opened Center for Advanced Wound Care & Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Cherry Hill. Williams will work alongside Kennedy’s team of wound care specialists to provide advanced treatment for non-healing wounds.

John Graham has been appointed chief administrative officer at the Kennedy University Hospital in Washington Township. He will oversee daily operations at Kennedy’s 230-bed acute care facility.

Glassboro’s mayor and council members held a dedication ceremony for the unveiling of five honorary service plaques that represent each branch of the military. The commemorations honor the sacrifice and dedication of Glassboro men and women who have served in the military. The ceremony was held on July 26 in the Glassboro Town Square.

DCI Group, the national leader in the manufacturing of Demountable Truck Body Systems and MyGlassTruck rack systems, completed its inaugural Internship Program with the Gloucester County Institute of Technology. Three seniors spent their second semesters working full-time while earning valuable experience in manufacturing, fabrication and warehouse operations.

The former Progresso plant in Vineland that closed its doors could soon be purchased by F&S Produce Company, which received a Grow New Jersey grant that will give them multi-million dollar tax credits over the next decade. Settlement on the deal is expected sometime in October.

OceanFirst Bank has named Grace Vallacchi as its chief risk officer and executive vice president. Vallacchi brings more than two decades of experience to her new role in which she’ll handle managing credit risks and enterprise functions.

According to ADP’s Regional Employment Report, July saw the state add 4,200 private sector jobs—700 less than June’s 4,900. The biggest gain was professional and business services, which saw 1,000 new jobs and New Jersey’s .12 percent beat out Pennsylvania’s .11 percent growth rate.

Weihua Yan has been named the chief technology officer for ecommerce company Yummy Bazaar. The company located in Cinnaminson has grown rapidly since 2016 and now has more than 1,500 international food products handled in its local fulfillment center.

William McGarrigel has been named the director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of New Jersey. McGarrigel is the vice president and general manager for transportation planning and design services with Urban Engineers based in the firm’s Cherry Hill office.

Investors Bank has chosen William E. Brown to fill a new position with the company. Brown will serve as senior vice president and director of retail banking.

Brian Formisano has been named as Wells Fargo’s community bank president for the Southern New Jersey region.

Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Biz, Volume 7, Issue 8 (August, 2017). 
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