Surrounded by employees of Trenton Corrugated Products, Ian Bernstein prepares to cut the ribbon with Mayor Reed Gusciora (left) and George Sowa, CEO of Greater Trenton (right) holding the ribbon.   
Note from the CEO
As the temperatures continue to rise in the city, things are also heating up on the economic development front as we continue to advocate and collaborate for a revitalized capital city.
 
Recently, I participated on a panel discussion with City and State leaders for Steve Adubato's "Think Tank" program. We discussed Trenton's assets including transportation, arts, history, diversity and affordability. We also addressed economic development initiatives including concepts raised in our white paper on how a more vibrant downtown can be created. The show will air soon on PBS networks including Thirteen/WNET, NJTV and WHYY.
 
As you may have heard or saw in TrentonDaily, Trenton Corrugated Products is under new ownership and management. The business, which is over forty-five years old and originally owned and operated by Tony Pecoraro, was recently purchased by Ian Bernstein. I had the distinct pleasure of joining Mayor Gusciora in cutting the ribbon to celebrate the start of Ian's ownership and mark the beginning of a new phase in the company's history.   
 
Finally, there are some great events happening in the city and we encourage you to get out and support them.

Check out the latest TrentonDaily stories highlighting progress and opportunities in New Jersey's State Capital and please contact Bryan Evans at [email protected] for story submissions.

As always, we appreciate your tremendous support and look forward to continued collaboration.

Best,

George

George D. Sowa
Chief Executive Officer
GREATER TRENTON
George Sowa Engages in Economic Development Discussion on Steve Adubato's "Think Tank"
This month, George Sowa participated as part of a 4-person roundtable discussion on Steve Adubato's Think Tank. The segment features George Sowa along with other guests including Benjamin Delisle, City of Trenton's Director of Housing & Economic Development; Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Artworks Board Member Lehze Flax.
 
The topics of discussion included the current state of economic development and revitalization in the city, the role of government and Governor Murphy administration in city growth, impact of investing in Trenton, what the future looks like for Trenton and challenges facing businesses.

The program will air on public television stations Thirteen/WNET, NJTV and WHYY in the next month or so.
Think Tank with Steve Adubato brings together thought leaders, innovators and experts from a variety of fields to explore the critical issues, trends and challenges facing society today. In a spirited and engaging, four-person roundtable discussion, Emmy® Award-winning anchor, Steve Adubato, asks tough questions on the most pressing topics.
 
Other recent public speaking engagements by George Sowa include the County Board of Freeholders meeting on June 27 and Select Greater Philadelphia's Breaking Ground event on June 12.
 
In addition, Greater Trenton's Vice President of Marketing Bryan Evans spoke at Trenton Central High School's Annual Awards Night Program on June 6 and Princeton University's Smart Cities Conference on May 6.
Trenton Corrugate Products in Under New Management: "Trenton is Back in Business"
F or over forty-five years, Trenton Corrugated Products has maintained the status of being one of the most respected, largest, and well-known corrugated plants within the state of New Jersey. Originally owned and operated by Tony Pecoraro, the production plant is now under new ownership and management, that of Ian Bernstein. On June 27, 2019, the company celebrated its transfer of management through a ribbon cutting ceremony.
 
New to the corrugated industry, President Bernstein is, “happy to be a part of the legacy of Trenton Corrugated Products.” As a banker for thirty years, Bernstein had always aspired to own his own company. With much help from Tony Pecoraro, the Economic Development Authority, M & T Bank, the employees of TCP, as well as the city of Trenton, Bernstein has been able to turn his dream into a reality.
 

The ceremony was one of joy and gratification. Of the many attendees, Mayor Reed Gusciora delivered a short speech sharing his gratitude and words of encouragement for the new owner. “I always like to come to ribbon cutting ceremonies because it means Trenton is back in business,” and "Trenton is happy that we have forty employees here and we hope to have forty more in the next year,” said the Mayor. Closing his speech, Gusciora reassured Bernstein and staff that the city will always be available to assist the company in its efforts.

Moments before cutting the bright blue ribbon, Bernstein, shared his appreciation and thoughts for assuming the new position and his desire to carry on the legacy created by Pecoraro. Bernstein noted that “the corrugated industry is a backbone of America" and "“plastic is out, corrugated is in.” To finish off his address, Bernstein left the crowd with a touching and motivational quote: “Believe in yourself, go after your dreams, and don’t let anyone put you in a box.”
 
“This represents an exciting next step in the history of Trenton Corrugated Products,” said Greater Trenton CEO George Sowa. “The company brings a wealth of opportunities for Trentonians today and well into the future.”
Greater Trenton Ramps up Efforts to Attract State Workers to Live and Work Downtown
A key to creating a vibrant downtown is engagement between State workers and the Downtown. Greater Trenton is advocating for concepts identified in its white paper entitled Creating a Vibrant Downtown Trenton , which suggests the State of New Jersey offer an incentive to a portion of the over 20,000 State employees who currently work in the City of Trenton to live and work in the Downtown. 

"The State's investment in this program would create a more vibrant downtown core as new residents generate demand for new retail, entertainment and arts uses and simultaneously creates a safer and more secure community,” said Greater Trenton CEO George Sowa. "Other benefits include reduced traffic, reduced employer-provided parking, reduced carbon footprint and ultimately, reduced State provided transitional aid to the City of Trenton."
This in turn would expand and diversify the City’s tax base allowing new businesses to open from the increased residential supply and demand generated.

 "Trenton would benefit from a program that incents relocation and investment for public employees," added Sowa. "Accommodating additional state employees within Trenton’s downtown borders would improve Trenton’s tax ratable yield, which would equip the city with a recurring revenue stream to ultimately self-fund its needs and reduce, and ideally, eliminate the need for State-funded transitional aid."
 
This influx of state workers would improve the business outlook of the entire city and most notably the downtown core. In combination with the recent creation of Opportunity Zones per the recent tax legislation, this effort would allow for capital gains reinvestment in the city.
 
The increased demand generated by State employees coupled with Opportunity Zone benefits can be a powerful catalyst to facilitate our burgeoning redevelopment.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN TRENTON?
Shreya Ghoshal Live Concert
September 7, 2019
8 p.m. - 11:45 p.m.

Shreya Ghoshal has been performing all over the world and captivating audiences with her charming personality, ability to connect to audience instantly and above all her musical ability.

Her performance as a team leader and a performer in "Music Ka Maha Muqabala" has been legendary.
Cure Insurance Arena
81 Hamilton Avenue
Trenton, NJ 08611
The Levitt AMP Trenton Series
Through September 5, 2019
5:30 p.m.

The Levitt AMP Trenton Music Series will be held for ten consecutive Thursdays from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. now through September 5 in Mill Hill Park 165 E. Front St, Downtown Trenton.
 
This year's series 10-week FREE family-friendly entertainment features a variety of genres chosen to appeal to the diverse community here in Trenton and beyond.

With the support of New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co. and the NJ State Council on the Arts, popular headline musical acts have been tapped from all over the United States and recognized local performers from New Jersey. These free concerts are open to the public, and families are encouraged to attend throughout the series and bring blankets and/or lawn chairs!

The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation named Trenton, New Jersey as one of 18 small to mid-sized towns and cities across America to win a Levitt AMP Trenton Grant Award of $25K in matching funds to present a free concert series at Mill Hill Park in 2019.
Mill Hill Park
165 East Front Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
Upcoming AMP Music Series
  • Aug 1 -  PJ Rasmussen & The Boardwalk Jazz Band w/Tom Tallitsch
  • Aug 8 -  Tameca Jones w/Bo Mason
  • Aug 15 - Edwin Lebron w/Gabriel Munoz
  • Aug 22 - LA Misa Negra w/Interminable
  • Aug 29 - The New Respects w/The Vaughns
  • Sep 5 -   Rev. Sekou & The Freedom Fighters w/Kingsley Ibeneche
Capital City Farmers Market at Mill Hill Park
Through October 31st
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Capital City Farmers Market is running every Thursday through October 31st from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Mill Hill Park located at 165 E. Front Street, Trenton, NJ. Each week the market draws around 4,000 visitors — workers from the surrounding state/government offices and private businesses, as well as residents and tourists.

The market features Jersey Fresh farm produce and regional producers, artisanal food, specialty produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, jewelry, all natural body and face care products, and much more.

They’re a close and growing community. Long-term vendors have a dedicated base of loyal fans, and several have gone on to open brick and mortar stores after growing with the Capital City Farmers Market.
Mill Hill Park
165 E. Front Street
Trenton, NJ 08608

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