Crunching Numbers
200,000
The number of electric vehicle (EV) registrations the state recently surpassed, which is more than twice the number of EVs registered in New Jersey two years ago.
$619,425
What Burlington County’s farms stand to lose annually over natural hazards—especially hurricanes, which can damage crops and infrastructure—according to a new study from Trace One.
25%
How much the state’s cannabis sales increased from 2023 to 2024. Last year, combined medical and recreational cannabis sales was $800,279,300; on Dec. 21, it ended the day at sales totaling $1,004,826,946.
$31.4 billion
According to last month’s 2024 Economic Report released by the New Jersey Hospital Association, the total economic benefits of state hospitals’ essential work. The report also noted that those hospitals support both state and local economies with nearly 160,000 jobs.
51%
The percentage of U.S. employees who are currently looking for new work opportunities, according to a recent Gallup poll that notes this is the highest rate of nationwide worker dissatisfaction since 2015.
300,000
The estimated number of meals provided through SJI’s recent donations to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, which included a recent $81,760 check from its annual employee giving campaign.
Six
How many young entrepreneurs pitched their small businesses in the 2024 Hopeworks Fall Pitch Competition last month, marking the nonprofit’s biggest competition yet.
1.1 million
The proposed square footage of Netflix’s Fort Monmouth campus—planned as its East Coast hub—which recently took a step toward actualization with a $387 million tax credit award under New Jersey’s Aspire program.
36 cents
On Jan. 1, what the minimum wage for New Jersey workers increased by, bringing most hourly pay rates to $15.49.
Breakdown
The New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan is poised for its first full update in almost 24 years.
What Happened: Last month, it was announced that the New Jersey State Planning Commission has approved the publication of the plan’s preliminary draft. Developed through collaboration across all levels of government statewide, the plan informs the public while encouraging state agencies, counties and municipalities to align their land-use policies with its vision for promoting a balanced, inclusive strategy for both managing and guiding growth across New Jersey.
What It Means: The updated draft adds a new focus on environmental justice and builds upon NJ’s ongoing initiatives to address areas like economic development, housing, infrastructure, revitalization and recentering, climate change, natural and water resources, pollution and environmental clean-up, historic and scenic resources, equity and comprehensive planning. It also encourages development and redevelopment while focusing on preserving and protecting the state’s natural resources, and builds on previous comprehensive planning efforts, like 2018’s The State of Innovation: Building a Stronger and Fairer Economy in New Jersey, which highlighted investments in people, communities and innovation.
What’s Next: Starting Feb. 12, an intensive two-month public comment period will feature meetings in every county through April 16. These hearings will initiate a cross-acceptance process, comparing municipal, county and state agencies’ land-use plans with the state plan in an effort to achieve maximum consistency across all levels of government.
On the Move
Effective Jan. 31, President and CEO of the Campbell’s Company Mark Clouse will officially retire from the leadership role he’s held since 2019 to become president of the NFL’s Washington Commanders. The Campbell’s board of directors elected Mick Beekhuizen—currently president, meals and beverages—to both succeed Clouse as the company’s 15th CEO and serve as a director, as of Feb. 1.
It was announced last month that Kris Kolluri has been named the new president and CEO of NJ TRANSIT. Kolluri—previously the president and CEO of Camden Community Partnership, Inc.—replaces Kevin Corbett, who was the transportation service’s third-longest-serving leader.
The Camden-based American Water announced a handful of leadership changes last month: Lynnae Wilson will join the utility in the newly created role of senior vice president, customer strategy, while Matt Prine and Deb Degillio have been named as chief customer officer and chief technology and information officer, respectively.
The Cooper Foundation announced that it has appointed Sofia Lomax as the new gift officer for the Cape May region.
Duly Noted
The Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey elected the 2025-2026 board officers and directors during its Dec. 12 annual meeting. Robin A. Walton, Inspira Health’s senior vice president of external affairs and chief philanthropy officer, was named chair of the board, and is the first Black woman to serve in the role.
Vice chair of the board is Anthony DiFabio, Psy.D., president and CEO of Acenda Integrated Health; Kimberly A. Brandley, CPA, partner at CohnReznick, LLP, is finance vice chair and treasurer; Liz Thomas, CEO of Thomas/Boyd Communications, is secretary; Denise V. Monahan, executive vice president and president of PA & SNJ for Wilmington Trust, is vice chair, membership; Anthony Bawidamann, Comcast’s vice president of government affairs, is vice chair, special events and marketing; David R. Mayer, director of government affairs for New Jersey American Water, is vice chair, government action; and Michael Angulo, Esq., the chief officer for government relations, Title IX & EEO, at Stockton University, is vice chair, education and workforce development.
Cooper Levenson announced late last month that attorney Kasi Gifford, a member of the law firm’s education law practice group in the Atlantic City office, is now one of its newest partners.
John Sica has recently been named a vice president at commercial real estate firm Newmark Associates.
AnewHealth, the national pharmacy care management provider with a Moorestown location, recently announced that Brian Adams has been appointed as newly retired CEO John Figueroa’s successor, effective as of Jan. 1. Adams, now president and CEO, has also joined AnewHealth’s board of directors.
Earlier this month, Malamut Law has welcomed Jacob Jaeger, Esq., to the law firm. He brings with him a diverse background in employment law, professional liability, healthcare and municipal litigation.
It was recently announced that Brian Schoener has joined The Bank of Princeton as vice president, commercial loan officer for the Mercer County region.
During its 2025 organization meeting held Jan. 7, the Burlington County board of commissioners elected Commissioner Felicia Hopson to once again lead as board director and welcomed new Commissioner Tyler J. Burrell, a longtime Delran resident employed at the Marlton office of law firm McOmber, McOmber and Luber. Additionally, Commissioner Allison Eckel was selected to serve as deputy director.
