Focus on the South Jersey economy

Despite adverse trends in the housing market, the southern New Jersey economy continued in a positive direction buoyed by record high non-farm employment of 829,100, which was up 10,800 jobs or 1.3 percent from the previous year, according to statistics gathered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Increased demand for consumer goods made retail expansion one of the most robust categories of the southern New Jersey economy – with the Atlantic City Expressway among the major transportation links between distribution centers and customers throughout the region.

The employment areas that include Camden and Gloucester counties garnered the greatest employment increases, reaching a record high average level of 540,500 in the first nine months of 2006. Services including retail trade and educational and health services employment showed the greatest gains.

Major retail outlets opened throughout the region in 2006 including, the Marketplace at Garden State Park in Cherry Hill, anchored by a Home Depot and a Wegman's Food Market. Meanwhile, retail in Atlantic City continued to thrive with the opening of The Pier Shops at Caesars and the much-anticipated expansion of "The Walk" an upscale outlet shopping, dining and entertainment complex at the foot of the Expressway. Construction projects begun in 2006 at three of Atlantic City’s premier hotel/casinos are expected to bolster lodging there from 15,000 rooms to more than 17,000.

Further south, government leaders continue to recognize the need to support the state’s vital tourism industry. The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority has approved a $3 million grant that will be used towards construction of a $21 million convention hall in Cape May. In Wildwood, there are several development proposals on tap to add high-rise hotel and condominiums to the seaside landscape.

Although employment remained unchanged in Salem County in 2006, Salem was one of the few counties in the state that showed an increase in construction activity due, in large measure, to the low cost of land there. Meanwhile, Cumberland County saw a mini-boom in retail development in 2006 with the opening of several big-name retail outlets that brought about 800 jobs to the area.

The SJTA, as part of its core mission of regional economic development, provides quality transportation services on the roadway, the runway and through journey-to-work shuttle services that support workforce development.