Evan Weiss remembers the SNAP crisis last fall, when the federal government sharply curtailed the benefits that so many residents of Newark depend upon.
He was running the Newark Alliance, a group of city business leaders dedicated to improving the lives of residents through economic opportunity, education — and social supports.
Something needed to be done. Quickly.
Weiss said he eagerly took a call from Mayor Ras Baraka, who was organizing a meeting of city leaders. They worked together to find a solution. And they not only came up with a plan — they implemented it.
“That we were able to do that kind of work on the ground and get our partners involved was a big achievement,” he said.
If you want to know how Weiss will put his stamp on the N.J. Economic Development Authority, a role he has had for a little over a week, look no further than his efforts in Newark.
That was the message Weiss gave an overflow crowd Monday afternoon during the Newark Real Estate Summit.
In a fireside chat with Prudential’s Lata Reddy, Weiss explained what makes Newark unique — its ability to bring all partners together for the common good.
Weiss noted the people in the room — a cross section of leaders of just one sector in the city — as Newark’s greatest strength.
He also talked about how he already is seeing similar pockets across the state, talking about the unique relationship in the Camden area, where city and county leaders (combined with business leaders) are having tremendous impact.
“Just watching the different models up and down the state is really cool,” he said.
Nothing, however, is better than working together, Weiss said.
That starts with having an openness. He mentioned the willingness of stakeholders in Newark to reach out to Alliance members with issues.
Weiss said he’s open to that type of engagement. He said he wants to talk directly to business owners, developers — really, anyone with an interest in helping the state prosper. He pledged to be available.
“I can’t lose that time,” he said.
Weiss said he wants to make sure he and his senior team are seeing things through — and seeing programs from all angles.
“We have all these products — how are they actually working?” he said. “I want to be able to see things firsthand to understand how it’s being communicated down into the community.”
The entire community.
Weiss said the biggest complaint he has heard about the EDA over the years is that it is complicated and cumbersome — not streamlined enough to enable everyone to gain access.
That should be the goal, he said. And it’s one that can only be reached through collaboration.
That’s why Weiss applauded the creation of the chief operating officer position and the person selected to run it: Kellie Doucette.
Weiss said Doucette will help ensure programs at the EDA are working with those at DEP, Transportation, Treasury, Higher Education, Energy … wherever the need is.
Weiss said he knows such symmetry will work. He saw it firsthand in Newark.
