SJBiz_NJMEP profile_0426FINAL.qxp_Profile 4 / 7 / 26 10 : 49 AM Page 1 PROMOTION profile Advancing Technology and Improving Equity While NJMEP works to primarily provide direct support to New Jersey manufacturers through improving technology and training , they also work with lawmakers to help improve the legal and tax landscapes businesses operate in . BY ABIGAIL TWIFORD eing in any business can be a challenge , State House . It’s a 50,000 - square - foot facility especially for those that run and operate and we will put a 10,000 - square - foot workforce Bcompanies in key industries like manu - development section there , teaching man - facturing that represent an important portion ufacturing techniques [ that will allow indi - of the state’s economy . viduals ] to be able to get certified and enter This is why the New Jersey Manufacturing the workforce . This way , we’re covering the Extension Program , Inc . ( NJMEP ) , works to whole state with workforce development , ” provide training and consulting services to says Connolly . make the latest innovations in technology , Besides working directly with manufac - standards and practices available to small - turers to advance technology , training and and medium - sized manufacturers throughout other services , NJMEP also fights to make the state . state laws affecting businesses more equitable The private , non - for - profit 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) or - between North and South Jersey . ganization , part of a federal program , has One example of this is the Corporate been in operation for three decades , helping Transit Tax and how it’s allocated across the to keep manufacturers within the state com - state , with many South Jersey manufacturers petitive , especially in South Jersey where concerned about the imbalance between opportunities in the industry are seeing rapid regions . A much larger portion of funding growth . supports North Jersey transit infrastructure , One of the major ways NJMEP is able to while South Jersey businesses do not see successfully aid local manufacturers is through the same level of direct returns . CEO Peter Connolly their strategic partnerships with various or - “ North Jersey has a lot of train systems ganizations , part of a larger effort to build a throughout [ the region ] , but it ends at Trenton . sustainable manufacturing ecosystem … They are proposing the Camden - to - Glass - Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey ( SHC - throughout New Jersey . boro light rail , which I think helps , but there CNJ ) and the African American Chamber of NJMEP has offices in Cedar Knolls and are no bus routes , there’s no train service . Commerce of New Jersey ( AACCNJ ) . Rowan University’s South Jersey Technology There is a corporate transit tax that everybody “ With Rowan University , we’ve developed Park , allowing the organization to focus on pays into , but more funding definitely goes a partnership on workforce development workforce development , cybersecurity and to North Jersey . All the companies are and engineering programs , especially pho - operational efficiency in both the South and funding it , taxpayers are paying into it , but I tonics programs . We do a lot of their workforce North Jersey regions . would say 90 % of it is going to North Jersey . development , teaching students the manu - One recent example includes efforts to So what we’re proposing to the governor is facturing end of it , not just the engineering help expand the Cumberland County Tech that there’s an equal share of where that end of it , ” says Connolly . Education Center in Vineland . “ We gave money goes , ” explains Connolly . The partnerships with Rowan University them their initial funding to begin to procure Connolly emphasizes that through the and its Tech Park are particularly important , equipment to put that together . We are variety of services and support NJMEP puts as they position South Jersey as a leading teamed with the Chamber of Commerce of into the manufacturing ecosystem of the space for the next generation of manufac - Southern New Jersey and Rowan College state , their value to New Jersey cannot be turing and innovative technology that will to help them facilitate and put equipment overstated . help push the industry forward . in that facility , ” says CEO Peter Connolly . “ We are one of those good programs . As Rowan’s Tech Park creates the oppor - NJMEP also has a mobile training facility We do get funding from the state also , but tunity to advance manufacturing and expand that includes advanced manufacturing equip - our return on investment , for every dollar in - theindustry’s growth , NJMEP works to connect ment , allowing them to travel throughout vested with NJMEP , it’s probably a nine - to - the resources provided through the park to the state and visit different county colleges w one ratio of payback , ” says Connolly . manufacturersin the region , anchoring industry to provide students with hands - on experience growth in South Jersey and allowing local utilizing real world technology and equipment . manufacturers to remain globally competi - Connolly helps to foster , build and main - tive . New Jersey Manufacturing tain several of these key partnerships with Workforce development is also a key the likes of the aforementioned Chamber of part of their partnership with the AACCNJ . Extension Program , Inc . Commerce of Southern New Jersey and “ We’re doing the same thing with the Cedar Knolls and Mullica Hill Rowan University , as well as with other or - African American Chamber . They have a ( 973 ) 998 - 9801 | NJMEP.org ganizations such as the Statewide Hispanic new facility in Trenton , right across from the | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | VOLUME 16 ISSUE 4 | SouthJerseyBiz.net 12