Crunching Numbers
No. 2
New Jersey’s ranking in a recent MarketWatch Guides report revealing states with the most business bankruptcies—though top-spot Delaware saw 122 per 100,000 people versus The Garden State’s 15.
1 in 5
How many New Jerseyans are of Hispanic descent, a rich representation driving Choose New Jersey to strengthen the state’s commitment to both business partnerships in Spanish-speaking countries and supporting Hispanic entrepreneurs.
Seventh
Where Rutgers University–Camden placed among New Jersey’s top 10 colleges and universities when WalletHub released 2025’s Best College & University Rankings last month.
865
The number of utility workers to receive back wages totaling $7.5 million for restoring power to roughly 25% of the state following Tropical Storm Isaias in Aug. 2020.
17,000+
How many meals The New Jersey Bankers Association, along with a coalition of community banks that includes First Bank, donated to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey through their September drive.
No. 78
Where Cherry Hill-based nonprofit Bestwork Industries for the Blind was ranked in the recent 2024 Philadelphia100 list recognizing the Philadelphia region’s breakout businesses on a merit-based scale.
$35,000
What Atlantic City Electric and Sustainable Jersey awarded in total on Oct. 28 to the seven municipalities winning 2024’s Sustainable Communities Grants. Awardees include Evesham, Medford and Mullica townships.
953.92%
The business growth Camden County has experienced over the past three years, according to a study SmartAsset released last month.
$637,195
How much federal grant money Burlington County recently received to improve its Emergency Operation Center’s technology, software and communications equipment.
Breakdown
On Oct. 29, Gov. Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 369 establishing a new Economic Council, as New Jersey’s small businesses have increased by 19%—or more than 40,000—since 2018.
What Happened: The executive order signifies the creation of both the council and the Development Coordination Committee, a subcommittee intended to streamline the government’s review of complex development projects. Both entities will work to enhance sharing critical information.
What It Means: The newly formalized council will provide a regular forum for discussions, collaboration and problem-solving efforts between the business community and state government to best address issues that are important to both the public and private sectors, while also working to stimulate statewide economic growth and prosperity. Support from the also-newly established Development Coordination Committee will assist with the council’s work to advance development projects necessitating multiple state, county and local government approvals.
What’s Next: The Economic Council’s two co-chairs will be Eric Brophy, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Growth, and Tim Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, who are tasked with designated industry representatives to participate in the council’s working group discussions. Brophy notes that “working closely with the business community and legislators is the best way to grow New Jersey’s economy. The Economic Council will further cultivate our ambition to make business in New Jersey less complicated.”
On the Move
Volunteer UP Legal Clinic recently announced that three new staff members have joined the nonprofit organization in key roles: Kate Doyle, Esq., as reentry staff attorney, Kaitlyn Owens as housing justice advocate and Elizabeth M. Gallagher as programs and development coordinator.
Early last month, Fulton Bank announced that it has appointed Jeffrey Rush to the role of executive market president for the Greater Philadelphia/South Jersey region.
Cherry Hill-based NEW ROAD Construction Management has welcomed Dominic DiPrinzio to the team. DiPrinzio brings with him more than 40 years’ experience in the construction industry.
NJ TRANSIT’s board of directors recently announced that Franck Beaumin is the agency’s new customer advocate, who brings a background in international mass transit to New Jersey.
On Oct. 30, it was announced that Kate McDonnell will assume the role of Gov. Phil Murphy’s chief counsel later this month. McDonnell received her juris doctor from Rutgers School of Law, Camden.
Duly Noted
When the Non-Profit Development Center of Southern New Jersey held its 11th annual awards ceremony recently, a number of local figures were among the honorees. They included: Kellie Haines of WheatonArts and Rachael Glashan Rupisan of the Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice, NPO Young Professionals of the Year; Darlene Macrina Supnick of Forgotten Angels Equine Rescue and Joe Murphy of Ballroom Dancing for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Best Collaborative Effort of the Year; Angelo Harold of TeamHarold Transportation and Dr. June DePonte Sernak of Center for Family Services, NPO Community Partners of the Year; and Lucy DuBose of Faces of Change and Patricia Legge of Volunteer UP Legal Clinic, NPO Executives of the Year.
Early last month, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation announced a trio of recent and upcoming leadership changes. Anthony Cucchi joined the team as director of programs on Sept. 30, while current Co-Executive Director Alison Mitchell will assume the role of sole executive director on Jan. 1, 2025, when fellow co-executive director John S. “Jay” Watson Jr. steps down from his position.
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce debuted its Women of Inspiration Awards Oct. 24, recognizing 12 female trailblazers across the state. Some of the event’s awardees were: Eileen Kean, New Jersey, National Federation of Independent Business state director; Audrey Lane, Garden State Initiative president; Christina Renna, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey CEO; and Melanie Willoughby, New Jersey Business Action Center executive director. The chamber also elected seven new board members Oct. 15, which included Atlantic City Electric’s new region president Phillip Vavala.
