SNJDC Members in the News

What to expect at the new combined Station 6, Vineland FD building

The City of Vineland said it's ready to open its combined fire department headquarters and Station 6 about a month early and under its revised $20-million budget.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the 38,000-square foot facility is to be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, with guided tours to follow. The department and Station 6 are currently at 110 North Wood St., which was constructed around 1961.

The replacement building is on a 4.4-acre site at 200 North West Blvd., between Plum and Pear streets. It previously held the former Limpert Brothers factory.

Work started in June 2023 on the site, and the original budget was increased because of some unexpected need for remediation of environmental problems.

Manders Merighi Portadin Farrell Architects designed the facility, which was built by A.J. Ogren Construction. NEW ROAD Construction Management oversaw work for the city.

SNJDC Member in the News

76ers Basketball, Rutgers-Camden Sign Agreement for Rutgers Student Internships

The Philadelphia 76ers National Basketball Association team, which has its training facility and corporate offices in Camden, on Monday signed a formal agreement to provide internship opportunities for students at Rutgers University-Camden.

“This program is part of the 76ers ongoing commitment to create opportunities and engage the local community,” the organization said in a statement. “The 76ers will continue to elevate this experience for future Rutgers University-Camden students in the upcoming semesters.”

Magda Moncrief, the 76ers vice president of human resources, and Antonio D. Tillis, Rutgers-Camden chancellor, signed the memorandum of understanding.

SNJDC Member in the News

OceanFirst Bank secures $50K in small business recovery grants to benefit local nonprofits

OceanFirst Bank announced it helped ten nonprofit organizations in its market area to apply for and obtain Small Business Recovery Grants totaling $50,000 through a program created by the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY).

The ten grants, designed to assist eligible organizations who have faced economic challenges, will assist nonprofit organizations committed to addressing hunger and food insecurity.

“The Small Business Recovery Grant Program is a great opportunity for OceanFirst Bank to help support our local nonprofit partners and the important work they are doing to aid our communities,” George Destafney, OceanFirst Bank chief community banking officer, said. “We are so pleased to be able to assist ten organizations to receive important resources that will benefit our neighbors struggling with food insecurity. Our congratulations and appreciation to the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York for another successful Small Business Recovery Grant round.

SNJDC Member in the News

Construction Starts on Skate Park at Cooper River Park

Construction has started on a new outdoor skate park for skateboarders, at Cooper River Park in Cherry Hill. The Groundbreaking Ceremony was held for the project which is being developed by Camden County, paid for by both County and State funding.

And just as impressive as the park design is that this caps a 13 year “grassroots effort” to have the park built! Started by a then eight year old Lyle Rosenthall, with the help of his Mother Marla they guided the effort to form a committee, work with elected officials… and are now seeing the skate park being built!

The skateboard park location is on Park Boulevard close to Cuthbert Boulevard… In an area next to where Camden County sets up the Winterfest Ice Skating Rink. Directly across the street is the parking lot for the DoubleTree hotel.

It’s actually a really nice location for the skate park, bordered by trees on each side, and the Cooper River along the rear of the property. The skate park will be positioned closer to the sidewalk taking up about half of the depth of the property.  The remaining space in the rear towards the river will be lawn.

SNJDC Member in the News

EDA, Kean and ICIC partner to bring underserved construction contractors to N.J.

The N.J. Economic Development Authority and Kean University are partnering with the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City to bring the Building for Growth program to New Jersey.

BFG is a tuition-free program that provides construction companies education and tools to help them increase capacity and develop sustainable growth strategies for their businesses. BFG was developed by ICIC, a national nonprofit advocacy group committed to spurring economic growth in under-resourced communities by supporting small businesses, creating jobs, and building wealth for residents.

BFG aims to help businesses build their backlog, access capital, increase their bonding capacity, and position themselves to secure larger-scale contracts. Since its inception, BFG has demonstrated success in improving outcomes for construction companies owned primarily by people of color, women, and veterans. This hybrid 18-week program combines weekly classroom training, dedicated technical assistance, and one-on-one mentorship.

SNJDC Member in the News

At PSEG, company-wide workplace transformation will include new HQ in Newark

PSEG will move its headquarters to a yet-to-be-determined location in Newark when its lease at 80 Park Plaza finishes at the end of September in 2030.

The move is part of a company-wide workplace transformation that already is underway — one in which the company is refreshing and renovating more than two dozen of its facilities across New Jersey, chief human resources officer Sheila Rostiac said.

“The new headquarters is one piece of a multi-year workplace transformation we have underway,” she said. “We are focused on renovating and refreshing all of our electric and gas operation centers throughout the state — where the bulk of our employees show up to work. As part of this, we’re also considering our training center needs given workforce demographic trends and the skills that we need in the future.

The iconic company has not determined where the new location will be — and whether PSEG will build and own the building or take on another lease — but CEO Ralph LaRossa said the company definitely will be in Newark, where PSEG has been headquartered for more than a century. “We’re not leaving Newark, that’s who we are,” he said. “The question is: Where is the best place to be? We’re looking at our property, looking around at others.”