The recent allegations involving Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell have understandably drawn public attention. They should. An investigation is appropriate. And its findings should determine what happens next.
But as president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, I believe New Jersey must make sure one high-profile controversy doesn’t overshadow recent economic events and issues that are impacting millions of New Jerseyans every day — events that are not getting the same attention.
New Jersey is confronting significant changes in its corporate landscape.
Samsung has announced workforce reductions associated with relocating its U.S. consumer-electronics headquarters to Texas; Burlington Stores has announced plans to move its corporate headquarters from Burlington Township to Philadelphia; Mars Wrigley has announced the closure of its Newark office with hundreds of affected jobs; the Anheuser-Busch plant has closed in Newark and All Points West Distillery is preparing to relocate from Newark to New York. ExxonMobil has also completed its planned re-domiciliation from New Jersey to Texas, although the company has emphasized that its operations and employee locations were already concentrated elsewhere.
These developments warrant serious economic discussion — not partisan rhetoric.
So, I ask: Can New Jersey investigate allegations involving a public official while simultaneously maintaining its focus on competitiveness, business retention, contracting equity and economic opportunity?
The answer must be yes.
The African American Chamber represents a community of approximately 1.2 million Black New Jersey residents and a substantial Black business community. Our work does not occur in a vacuum. We operate within an ecosystem of corporations, government agencies, colleges and universities, and community stakeholders because the prosperity of one segment of New Jersey ultimately affects us all.
Consider the state’s own 2024 disparity study. It found statistically significant disparities in contracting with Black-owned businesses and other minority- and women-owned businesses. In one category of construction prime contracts valued above $65,000 and up to $5.71 million, Black businesses received just 13 contracts, totaling approximately $3.3 million.
Those numbers deserve sustained public attention. But the concerns raised by the African American Chamber are not solely about Black New Jerseyans.
When qualified businesses cannot compete equitably for publicly funded opportunities, taxpayers should care. When businesses leave or reduce their presence, workers, communities, nonprofit organizations and local economies can feel the consequences. And when policies create barriers for entrepreneurs who lack capital, relationships or access to opportunity, New Jersey’s overall competitiveness is affected.
Accountability and transparency must apply consistently — to individuals, institutions and economic systems.
The Caldwell investigation ultimately will be resolved by the facts.
Meanwhile, New Jersey’s economic challenges will remain.
Let us investigate what must be investigated — but let us not become distracted from what must also be addressed: transparency, accountability, equity, inclusion, business retention and meaningful access to economic opportunity for all New Jerseyans.
John Harmon is the Founder, President & CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.
