Gov. Mikie Sherrill, speaking to more than 1,000 business leaders, reached into the past to describe the future she envisions for New Jersey.
“In 2026, we can’t afford to have rules on the books that still refer to microfiche or floppy disks,” she said before a packed room at the ReNew Jersey Business Summit & Expo in Atlantic City.
Sherrill told the audience that her plans go beyond cutting budgets. Instead, she said, the focus is on leaning into change.
“I’ve said it before — we’re at a unique moment in history, a time of huge change,” she said. “Soaring costs are crippling businesses. The Trump administration’s tariffs make it all but impossible for many of you to plan ahead. And AI is transforming industries overnight.
“But in that chaos, there’s opportunity. Things are possible now that would’ve been unthinkable a decade ago,” she continued. “Here in New Jersey, we have a chance to do things differently — to change government for the better and make it work for the people and businesses it’s meant to serve.
“We have to start with the basics.”
Sherrill outlined the three-part strategy that has anchored her agenda since announcing her run for governor.
1. Cutting red tape
“We’re trusting state agencies to hire their own staff without my personal approval — eliminating delays that have kept too many state offices from delivering for businesses on time,” she said.
She also reiterated her commitment to streamlined permitting, including the launch of a live dashboard that will allow businesses to track applications in real time.
“It’s set to launch in June and will eventually include a live ‘shot clock’ counting down how much time state agencies have left to review your projects,” she said.
2. Lowering costs
“We can’t truly lower business costs without also addressing the major affordability issues affecting our state as a whole,” Sherrill said.
That means making life more affordable for working families — the customers and employees businesses compete to attract from around the world.
For starters, she said, that includes making housing more affordable.
“I’m a mom,” she said. “When my kids start their careers, I want them to be able to move back here to work — but I don’t want them living in my basement.”
3. Investing in growth
“We’re investing in growth — including in the cutting‑edge industries New Jersey already leads, like life sciences, AI, advanced manufacturing, and photonics,” Sherrill said.
She noted that effort begins with streamlining business incentives through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Choose New Jersey.
She also pledged to work closely with the EDA and the New Jersey Innovation Authority to boost support for the state’s 12 Strategic Innovation Centers, with the goal of attracting more private capital.
Sherrill said she entered public service to get things done.
“We need new ideas and new vision,” she said, “but we also need to execute and deliver.”
The reason, she added, is simple: New Jersey is no longer living in a floppy‑disk world.
“The time to step into a new future is now,” she said.
“New Jersey has the best businesses in the world,” Sherrill concluded. “Now we just have to make New Jersey the best state in which to do business.
“Together, with all of you, that’s what I’m working to do.”
