ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES
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Suite 101
Marlton, NJ 08053
ph: 856-985-5008
fax: 856-985-5512
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News
Cumberland County Initiates Solar Effort
Writen By Kristi Funderburk
June 22, 2011
VINELAND - The Cumberland County Improvement Authority is poised to launch a massive effort to build nearly three-dozen solar-panel arrays that could dramatically reduce utility costs for government buildings across the county.
On Thursday, the authority will start a request for proposal process to seek a contractor to build the solar arrays, said Dennis DeMatte, Cumberland County Improvement Authority's recycling coordinator.
"This is really a way for governments to share services and reduce costs," he said.
DeMatte laid out the plan to City Council on Tuesday and asked for council's OK for Vineland's place in the project.
By the end of the effort, 10 different entities, including city and county government properties and area schools, will have a total of 34 solar arrays that together generate 10 to 12 megawatts of energy, DeMatte said.
Because of the way the authority set up the request for proposal, the developer would pay for the project, not the local government entities, DeMatte said.
The power produced from the panels would be sold back to the government entities at a reduced cost, he said. "We're expecting a significant cost savings through this proposal," DeMatte said.
The Cumberland County Improvement Authority will act as the "financial vehicle" in this project and aims to offer a low enough interest rate to get a good power purchase agreement, DeMatte said.
He promised the government entities would not be on the hook for costs, he said.Joseph Isabella, director for Vineland Municipal Utilities, told the council this isn't a full commitment yet, but it's an idea worth pursuing.
"My recommendation is to take the next step," he said.
"There's potential for savings for the city."DeMatte expects the request for proposal process to take eight weeks. Until then, it won't be clear how much participating governments will save from the panels until a power purchase agreement is in place, but savings will be substantial, DeMatte said.
For example, the 1.5-megawatt solar field planned at Millville's waste-water treatment facility on Fowser Road could generate enough energy to cut its utility costs by 90 percent, he said.
"It will fix electricity costs over 15 years for government units participating," he said.
Panels will be ground-mounted, roof-mounted or built into canopies, depending on what works best for the location, DeMatte said.
Vineland's water utility on Walnut Road and the community pool at the Vineland Community Learning Complex would each get roof-mounted arrays, he said.
But Cumberland County College will have four arrays -- three ground-mounted fields on a parking lot, in a retention basin and behind the athletic fields, and one roof-mounted array on the Shirlee and Bernard Brown University Center, DeMatte said.
The plans also include building arrays at both Vineland's and Millville's city halls and at the Vineland Municipal Electric Utility's distribution center.Hopewell Township, Bridgeton and Cumberland County government buildings, the Cumberland County Utilities Authority, Downe Township School and nearly every school in the Vineland Public School system also will have solar arrays put in place, DeMatte said.
He is still waiting to hear if Maurice River Township School also will participate, he said.
NEW OWNERS OF SALEM COUNTY NURSING HOME...
photo by Paul Lutes
Thursday, June 2, 2011
By Phil Dunn, Today's Sunbeam
MANNINGTON TWP. — The Salem County Nursing Home is no more as the new owners officially took over the building here Wednesday morning.
The facility will now be known as the Golden Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after being purchased by SKG Realty Associates, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of BSD Entities, based out of New Brunswick.
A banner with a large crown has been placed over top of the old Salem County Nursing Home sign to mark the new ownership.
“It was a true pleasure working with the members and staff of the Salem County Improvement Authority to make the transition to Golden Rehabilitation and Nursing Center go smoothly,” said Neil Kerman, co-owner of SKG. “We are looking forward to working with the community to make this a facility that everyone can be proud of.”
Kerman said plans to renovate and improve the building and equipment will begin in the very near future.
“This facility has always provided a high quality of care for the residents and we are confident that the new owners will not only continue that high degree of service, but will also provide the facility upgrades that are so desperately needed,” said Michael Burke, chairman of the SCIA, on Wednesday.
BSD Entities owns and operates three other skilled nursing facilities in the state including Carneys Point, Vineland and Old Bridge. Sam Handler will be the administrator of the site and will oversee day-to-day operations for SKG.
The Salem County Improvement Authority has received $7.5 million from the sale of the nursing home and is expected to save nearly $3.5 million per year in operating costs.
Additionally, the private owners will now begin to pay real estate taxes on the facility, which has been tax exempt since it began operation in 1973 by the County of Salem.
The Improvement Authority took over management of the nursing home in August 2008 from the county.
“The sale of the Salem County Nursing and Rehabilitation Home to an experienced, compassionate private nursing home operator stands as a model for local and county governments seeking creative and cost-effective measures to improve the quality of services provided to local residents while seeking financially responsible approaches to delivering those services the local taxpayers,” said Freeholder Bruce Bobbitt, liaison for the SCIA.
Authority officials said 80 percent of employees formerly employed at the Salem County Nursing Home who sought re-employment by the new owners were re-hired.
“Response from the surrounding region to our employment needs has been tremendous,” said Kerman. “We are very pleased with the quality and quantity of applicants for employment. This staff will allow us to continue the commitment to provide a high degree of care that has been the cornerstone of this facility.”
SCIA provided assistance through the New Jersey Department of Labor’s Rapid Response Team and the Salem County One-Stop Career Services Center to those staff members who have opted to pursue other career choices or who were not re-hired by the new owners.
Approximately 10 SCIA employees have elected to retire under the Public Employees Retirement System.
The process of selling the nursing home started on Dec. 30, 2010, when the authority hired two consulting firms: One was to conduct an efficiency study and another was hired to set up the sale of the home.
The authority hired Marcus & Millichap as the real estate firm to sell the nursing home and the Lancaster Group was used to see if changes could be made to keep the nursing home open under the umbrella of the authority.
When officials were unable to have unionized employees agree to cost reductions, they made the decision on Feb. 1 to move forward with the sale of the nursing home.
As a farewell gesture, SCIA staff members at the facility were honored with a farewell breakfast/luncheon.
“These employees have continued to provide excellent care to the residents of the nursing home during a very personally challenging time and did so with the utmost professionalism,” said Burke. “We sincerely appreciate their dedication and wish them the very best in their future endeavors.”2011 Gloucester Township Economic Development Corporation Business Breakfast
Jim Forte presenting award to Texas Road HouseCourtesy of Joan Cimino gloucestertownship.patch.com
March 11, 2010
Gloucester TownshipThe 10th Annual Gloucester Township Economic Development Corporation, Inc. (GTEDC) breakfast was held on March 11, 2010 at 8:30am at the Palace Catering Hall, 109 North Black Horse Pike, Blackwood West. This year’s breakfast was recognized as the most successful ever held.
The following businesses sponsored this year’s Economic Development Breakfast event.
Newman Development Group, Camden County College, Stanker & Galetto, Aqua New Jersey, Atlantic City Electric, Bach Associates, Beneficial Bank, Bryn Mawr Investments, Camden County Improvement Authority, Camden County Workforce Investment Board, Consulting Engineer Services, Gloucester Township Chamber of Commerce, Matteo Equities, and TD Bank.
The Mayor welcomed the business owners and other attendees and informed them of the exciting Economic Development activities within Gloucester Township.
“We are moving forward with Discussion of the new Branding Effort of the Township. This program is designed to get the word out on the Township as an attractive place to bring and/or expand your business.”
The Gloucester Township Economic Development Corporation, Inc. is focusing on the following key areas in our Economic Development efforts:
Downtown Blackwood, Blackwood-Clementon Road, College Drive/Route 42 Area, The Cross Keys Road Area, Nike Base development Area, Downtown Blackwood Façade Program Announcement, Down Town Blackwood Streetscape Improvements, Creation of new shopper parking lots, Approval of New Age Targeted housing, Supplement the Farmer’s Market and the Pumpkin Festival, Cooper Medical Center and Camden County Lakeland Complex, New Park and Ride Station, Road Widening of Cross Keys at Atlantic City Expressway, Continued fitting-out and leasing of Shoppes @ Cross Keys, New Restaurants at Shoppes @ Cross Keys, New Texas Road House at Shoppes @ Cross Keys, Nike Missile Base Redevelopment, and New Flow Diagrams for Township construction approval Processes.The following recognition awards were presented:
2009 Small Business Award
presented by Jim Forte, Vice President GTEDC to:
Techniques Salon & Spa2009 Mayor’s Award for Economic Development
presented by David Mayer, Mayor of Gloucester Township to:
The County of Camden for College Drive & the Route 42 Interchange2009 Economic Development Award
presented by Glen Bianchini, Gloucester Township Council President to:
Camden County CollegeSpecial Economic Development Award
presented by Glen Bianchini, Gloucester Township Council President to:
Blackwood West Development Corp., for the Farmers MarketFormer New Jersey Governor James J. Florio (1990 - 94) was the keynote guest Speaker. He was also a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 1st district of New Jersey from 1974 through 1990. He authored the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act known as the SUPERFUND Law for cleaning up hazardous waste sites.
As Governor he was responsible for signing into law the Clean Air Act (1990). It was one of the strongest laws of its type in the Nation. While Governor, Governor Florio served on the United States Secretary of Energy’s Advisory Board.
Governor Florio addressed the attendees on “The Green Economy & Economic Development.”
A major part of Governor Florio’s speech emphasized the fact that the business climate of today is one that is rapidly changing. Any business owner not aware of the new business environment, and choosing to ignore these changes most likely will NOT be around long…This event is held the second week in March every year. Check the website in January 2011 for information on next years Gloucester Township’s Economic Development Business Breakfast.
TODAY’S SUNBEAM
Salem County Improvement Authority offers officials adviceSaturday, January 22, 2011
By Phil Dunn
SALEM - The Salem County Improvement Authority held a strategic planning and project financing seminar geared toward government officials Friday morning at the PSEG Energy & Environmental Resource Center here.
The seminar provided a big-picture look at the future of economic development in Salem County and served as an invaluable source of information for the many elected officials in attendance.
Chairman of the Salem County Improvement Authority Michael Burke kicked-off the morning by encouraging municipalities to really consider what the Improvement Authority has to offer to them.
"I think the community doesn't really understand what we do," said Burke. "This is a step forward for us by telling them this is what we can do and can't do."
This event also served as an introduction of the interim SCIA consultant Philip Rowan. He has been brought on to handle the day-to-day operations of the Improvement Authority on a temporary basis until a replacement for former executive director Jack Kugler can be found.
"I think we had a great turnout," said Rowan of Friday's seminar. "There is going to be a lot of follow up which is a good start and hopefully throughout the year it helps to foster a relationship with the local towns."
In his presentation, Rowan gave a brief snapshot of numerous economic development projects throughout the county that included: Project Freedom in Woodstown, the "Gas to Glass" project, Gateway Business Park in Oldmans, the Pennsville Super 8 Hotel and the Penns Grove waterfront and central district redevelopment project.
Rowan talked extensively of the ability of construction projects to develop jobs in Salem County. In particular, he noted the possible plans by PSEG Nuclear to build a new reactor at its Artificial Island complex in Lower Alloways Creek Township.
A new reactor could bring hundreds of jobs to Salem County both in the short-term and the long-term, said Rowan.
He said it's important to be open to the idea of nuclear energy because for every nuclear reactor approved to be built in the United States, 15 are approved in China.
Both Rowan and Burke were approached by many public officials after the seminar to set up meetings and explore the potential of Improvement Authority funding.
"We are all in the same lifeboat together here," said Rowan. "I can't wait to get to work with our local partners and hopefully get some projects done."
Those who attended the seminar also were given information about the Improvement Authority's bond financing program. Some of the eligible projects include public, nonprofit, educational, and recreational facilities.
"We can offer 100 percent financing and flexible repayment schedules," said Rowan.
Among the many elected officials at the event, Penns Grove Mayor John Washington said he came to the seminar to learn more about what the Improvement Authority can do for the residents of Penns Grove.
"The people of Penns Grove are my main priority," said Washington. "Events like this allow local elected officials to look for more creative outlets in these tough economic times."
The Improvement Authority has issued bonds for the Salem County Correctional Facility, upgrades to the county administration building and Friends Village.
"We have a lot of other things to deal with first, but once we get our budget squared away, we can concentrate on some other areas like doing bond financing and getting some economic development deals," Rowan said.
30 South Maple Avenue
Suite 101
Marlton, NJ 08053
ph: 856-985-5008
fax: 856-985-5512
phil
