|
MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 19,
2011
8:00AM
ROLL CALL
Ron Cain, Jr., Chair - present Margaret Miller – Sanders - present
Everett
Vreeland - present Deane Driscoll - present
Ron Soussa - absent Kevin Seidel,
Alt. #2 - present
Jennifer Horowitz
- present Arnold Schancupp – alt #1 - absent
Alexander Kachmar - absent
Liaisons:
Township Committee: Jim
Sandham - present; Deb Nielson (alt)
- absent
Planning Board Liaison:
Tony Speciale - present
Environmental Commission: Monica
Mianecki - present
Township Staff:
Meghan Hunscher, PP - Principal Planner - present
OLD BUSINESS
BoA & Planning Board applications update
Deane Driscoll -
BOA
Mr. Driscoll gave overview of the JCP&L sound barrier application
and Romola Enterprises, which would renovate the old Carlson Tool building.
Tony Speciale - Planning Board
Mr. Speciale gave an overview of the new zoning ordinance
hearing and that the new ordinance will make development guidelines clearer and
be a propeller for EDC initiatives. The
rezoning recommended in the master plan will assist with redevelopment of
properties.
Ms. Sanders indicates that this should be advertised as a
positive step for the Township.
Mr. Sandham indicated that a summary should be prepared for
each area of the Township. He went to
the employee picnic for Manhattan Labs, which is a growing business that is
happy in Montville.
Subcommittee Reports
New Business
Business Retention
There were no subcommittee reports.
NEW BUSINESS
Speaker - Noel
McGuire, Business Advocate - New
Jersey Business Action Center,
Department of State.
Mr. McGuire discussed his role in providing guidance to
businesses seeking incentives to relocate or expand in New Jersey.
He has been with the state for over ten years and he currently works in
the Business Action
Center, which is differentiated from
the marketing (Choose NJ) initiatives of the state. The Business Advocates mainly respond to
requests of businesses looking to relocate to NJ or to help retain existing
businesses.
He is not a civil servant. There are six field reps and one
office manager at the state. The
governor has a new strategy that seeks to be as active as possible in business
attraction and retention. There is a call center that allows for business
registration and LLC formation as well as entry-level information to assist
with business formation.
Mr. McGuire recommends that the EDC focus on the Chamber of
Commerce as a way to reach out to businesses.
Also use the MCEDC as a way to market Montville since they receive many calls and
also speak with Mr. McGuire on a regular basis. Montville
can involve all departments and boards as much as possible in understanding the
importance of economic development. He
also suggested adding a clear point of contact on the Montville website for EDC matters.
He also suggests that Montville
have a “Welcome Letter” ready for all new businesses and that the EDC have its
own “strategic action” plan. He also
suggests that EDC members attend the Builders Association conference, National
Realtors conference, and any other land use or specific use (e.g. grocery)
association conferences to market the town. Other organizations to reach out to
include the EDANJ and the Morris County Improvement Authority.
APPLICANTS
There were no applicants to appear before the subcommittee.
MINUTES
Adoption of EDC minutes of 9-21-11 – Eligible: Ron Cain, Jr.; Margaret
Miller-Sanders; Deane Driscoll;
Ron Soussa; Arnold
Schancupp; Jennifer Horowitz;
Alex Kachmar
|
