Mass Appeal
From government support and a desirable location to a strong sense of community, Mount Laurel has much to offer to the business community.
In her 24 years with the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce, President/CEO Kristi Howell has worked hand-in-hand with a variety of municipal governments to promote and provide support for the local business community. She puts Mount Laurel right at the top of the list in terms of going the extra mile.
“The Mount Laurel government is extremely business friendly,” she says. “They’ve put a lot things in place to help businesses not only get started here, but to help them grow. It’s not just one and done—the mayor and council are always looking to do creative things to engage the business community. And I have to say, they’re one of the top communities for coming out to ribbon cuttings and spotlighting small businesses on social media. You don’t see a lot of places doing that.”
Mayor Stephen Steglik credits Economic Development Director Bill Giegerich and his team for offering such programs as site selection services to business owners looking to either open or relocate in Mount Laurel. Not only do they assist with permitting and going over zoning and construction laws, but will help find the specific property that suits each company’s needs while making it convenient and affordable to grow the business.
“As a council and a mayor, we want more business and a steady stream of businesses to not only start in Mount Laurel but to succeed for five, 10, 15, 20 years,” Steglik says. “I like the idea that people make it a point to come to Mount Laurel to do their shopping, to go to the doctor’s office, to go out to eat with their loved ones. It’s become sort of a destination for a lot of people.
“If you’re looking for something in any kind of world—education, medical or a night out—you can get it in Mount Laurel. I like being able to foster that kind of economic growth and development so that it’s a one-stop shop. If you live here, it’s certainly a one-stop shop and you don’t have to leave, but if you visit, you’ll also find everything you need in Mount Laurel.”
Parker McCay, a law firm with more than 100 years of experience that represents individuals, businesses and government entities across a range of industries, has been headquartered in Mount Laurel since 2011 and appreciates that support from local officials.
“Local government cultivates an environment where businesses of all size can form, grow and compete in regional markets,” says Gene Mariano, Parker McCay’s chief operating officer. “Transparent land-use policies, incentives to stay in the community and strategic investment in infrastructure are key to the growth of a viable business community.”
Deborah Devlin feels similarly. She is the chief operating officer of Lexus of Cherry Hill, which has called the township home since 1989.
“[T]he local government actively supports the business community through a mix of economic development efforts, direct business resources, partnerships and promotional activities that aim to attract, retain and grow business in the township,” she says.
However, that is just one of many strategic advantages Devlin cites to the automobile dealership having its base in Burlington County.
“Mount Laurel is in the Philadelphia-Camden metro area, making it easy to serve customers across Southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware,” she says. “The township is near major highways including Interstate 295, the New Jersey Turnpike [and] Routes 38 and 73, allowing for efficient employee commutes and vehicle transport/logistics. It’s also relatively close to Philadelphia International Airport, which helps with business travel and customer visits.
“The township has a growing population, strong household incomes and access to a skilled regional workforce, helping support both retail and operational needs. Mount Laurel supports commercial development with strong infrastructure, corporate parks and policies that encourage business growth. Route 73 in Mount Laurel is a high traffic location with a strong commercial presence. This provides excellent visibility and accessibility for a luxury automotive dealership. It is conveniently located and customers find it an accessible destination for vehicle shopping and service.”
As Devlin points out, Mount Laurel’s prime location and proximity to major roads is often cited as appealing to business owners and their employees, many of whom decide to become residents after working there.
“I think location is a huge aspect of it,” Steglik says. “We’re 30 minutes from Philadelphia, an hour and a half from Manhattan. It’s also just a gateway to South Jersey, so to speak. You can get anywhere you’re trying to get to: down the Shore, Ocean County, Atlantic County, Gloucester County. It all passes through Mount Laurel, and having 38, 73, 295 and the Turnpike allows for a variety of businesses.”
Rowan College at Burlington County is one of the biggest employers in Mount Laurel. It was recently ranked the No. 1 institution in the state based on value, according to Research.com, and Steglik credits the school for being crucial to his own educational journey.
TopGolf and The Funplex not only have significant employee numbers, but are huge entertainment centers that consistently bring visitors to town. As Howell notes, The Funplex’s addition of two hotels and a liquor license has made it a popular option for corporate and team-building events along with family outings.
Speaking of hotels, Mount Laurel has plenty of top-rated brands, which is another draw.
“We’re talking now about planning for the World Cup and the [MLB] All-Star Game in Philly, and the 250th celebration of the country. People are going to be staying in Mount Laurel,” Steglik says. “We have the third-most hotels per square mile in the state of New Jersey—you have Atlantic City, Newark and Mount Laurel. I have friends who travel here from all over, and if they’re staying the night and can’t stay with us, I always point them to Aloft right on 73. The location is fantastic for it.”
“Mount Laurel is a great place to stay for the week,” Howell adds. “You can go to The Funplex and spend a whole day there, you can go to Great Adventure for the whole day, you can go to the Shore for the whole day, you can go to Philly for the whole day. You can do that and keep coming back to this central point that’s affordable, and only about 45 minutes to an hour to some great destinations.”
The nonprofit sector is well represented in Mount Laurel as well, and Devlin says Lexus of Cherry Hill is proud to serve causes spanning “health, research, education, youth sports and local community service groups.” Partnering with philanthropic organizations is also important to Parker McCay.
“We maintain an active and meaningful relationship with the Red Cross of Southern New Jersey, supporting initiatives such as its Thanksgiving Food Drive, which has provided meals to more than 200 military families in the area,” Mariano says. “The past several years, Parker McCay P.A. has also formed a meaningful partnership with the Mount Laurel YMCA, volunteering at their Special Olympics swimming events. Also, our involvement with the Burlington County Toys for Tots program has become a firm favorite, with our employees donating hundreds of toys and school supplies to underserved children across the county.”
Business owners can get back support from organizations like the Burlington County Regional Chamber. Membership allows them to network, stay in the loop with new policies and get to know important figures.
“I was onboarding someone recently and I was telling them that people don’t take advantage [of the Chamber], and when something happens they say, ‘I need to be introduced to Senator So-and-So, because there’s a bill being introduced that impacts me.’ But now is not the time. The time to meet him was three years ago at our breakfast event,” Howell says. “So I do wish more businesses would take advantage of what we have to offer and [focus on] connecting and educating themselves.”
Clearly, the location, the government support and the presence of organizations like the one Howell leads are all reasons for corporations to establish a base in Mount Laurel or for small businesses to open up shop.
“Mount Laurel is just a welcoming place,” Steglik says. “We have a very good balance of welcoming businesses while focusing on keeping the character and the preserved land what it is here.”
Published (and copyrighted) in South Jersey Biz, Volume 16, Issue 3 (March 2026).
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