The all-star cast of business, faith and nonprofit leaders and elected officials who gathered Tuesday in Camden for an economic summit demonstrated two impactful realties:
- The potential that’s possible when so many leaders are willing to get together;
- How far the city of Camden and Camden County have come.
The event featured Gov. Phil Murphy and his economic development team (including EDA CEO Tim Sullivan), all of which got insights into the area. Their willingness to do so, even with Murphy’s administration coming to a close, certainly impressed Dana Redd, CEO of Camden Community Partnership.
Redd talked about the dialogue in the room during the meeting at American Water’s national headquarters.
“Today’s dialogue was a powerful demonstration of what’s possible when public and private leaders come together with a shared commitment to Camden’s continued progress,” she said. “Gov. Murphy’s willingness to engage directly with our business community reinforces the importance of Camden’s role in driving economic growth across South Jersey. The insights and collaboration exchanged today will help shape the next chapter of investment, innovation, and opportunity in our city.”
George Norcross, chair of Cooper University Health Care, agreed.
“We had a substantial conversation today about the tools distressed cities in the state need and the ability to access those resources to move forward, beginning with improved public safety, better schools and job training and investment,” he said. “As Chairman of the Board of the largest employer in Camden County, with over 1,000 city residents employed at Cooper, I have seen firsthand what can and needs to be done to bring a city back. I thought the group gave the Governor some good points to keep the momentum going here in Camden and urban areas throughout the state.”
The event was hosted by Norcross, Redd, Rep. Donald Norcross, Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr., County Commissioner Jeffrey Nash and Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen.
The list of attendees was as long as it was impressive (presented alphabetically):
- State Sen. Nilsa Cruz Perez
- Vincent Guest, Senior Pastor of Sacred Heart Church
- Leo Holt, President, Holt Logistics
- Ali Houshmand, President, Rowan University
- Raymond Lamboy, CEO, Latin American EDA
- Anthony Lowman, Provost, Rowan University
- Stephen Mack, Senior Pastor Little Rock Baptist Church
- John Mastinger, Executive COO of Virtua Health
- Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water
- Gil Medina, Executive Vice President, CBRE
- Kevin O’Dowd, Co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care
- Matthew Pestronk, President, Post Brothers
- Lara Price, COO of the Philadelphia 76ers
- Christina Renna, CEO of the Southern New Jersey Chamber
- Richard Smith, President of the state NAACP
- State Sen. Michael Testa
- Antonio Tillis, Chancellor of Rutgers University
- Jospeh Williams, Bishop of the Diocese of Camden
There was plenty to talk about.
To date, job opportunities have been bolstered throughout the city, and the local workforce has grown significantly over the last 10 years. In addition, more than $2.5 billion in private and public investment has been made in Camden over the past ten years.
Murphy talked about the progress made over the last eight years in Camden City.
“I’m incredibly proud of the tremendous progress the City of Camden has made over the course of our administration,” he said. “From catalyzing economic development across sectors to driving down crime to historic lows to strengthening our school system, we have worked together to improve quality of life citywide. Throughout the past seven and a half years, we’ve worked closely with community members and leaders from both the private and public sectors, faith community, labor, higher education, and more to realize Camden’s true potential.
“I would like to thank Camden Community Partnership President and CEO Dana Redd, Mayor Carstarphen, Commissioner Director Cappelli, Chairman of Cooper University Health Care George Norcross, New Jersey American Water President Mark McDonough, Congressman
Norcross, and others for convening today’s discussion and continuing to advance a shared vision of prosperity for the city.”
Carstarphen talked about the importance of a direct discussion with policy makers to take the city to the next level.
“Camden was once a once defined by the negative, but now our community stands as a beacon of hope, growth, and resilience,” he said. “Thanks to the transformative power of collaboration and Governor Murphy’s commitment, Camden is witnessing real gains.
“We are realizing rising home values, significant investment in infrastructure, game changing development by our Eds & Meds community, breakthroughs in workforce development, and an overall improved quality of life citywide. Our city is a place where people want to live, to work, to enjoy – and a place to invest. I am confident our community is prime for even more new development and the economic tools offered by our partners at the NJEDA will help take Camden to the next level.”
Camden has experienced significant economic growth over the last 10 years, becoming one of the fastest growing job markets in the nation, according to federal data in 2017. Last year, the city recorded its lowest unemployment rate, 6.7%, in more than 30 years according to state labor statistics. In addition, wage growth has risen significantly higher over the last 10 years to complement job growth and the reduction in unemployment.
On top of the private and public investment in the city over the last 10 years there is also a new public safety paradigm that is rooted in community policing. Since the Camden County Police Department operationalized in 2013, murders are down almost 70% and violent crime has been cut in half since 2012. Based on the agency’s community focus the city was recognized by President Barack Obama as a model for the nation regarding policing.
Cappelli underscored the importance of the economic summit.
“We have so many tangible changes in Camden City over the years and that starts with the progress we witnessed with public safety and extends to growth in the workforce and overall reduction in poverty throughout the city’s nine square miles,” Cappelli said. “Nevertheless, we have miles to go and promises to keep to our community and the Governor and Tim said they would do everything possible to help us improve the quality of life for our residents.”
Congressman Donald Norcross continued on the topic of progress and improvements throughout the city.
“Camden’s revitalization should serve as a national model for growth and resilience,” he said. “This progress would not be possible without the dedication of our business leaders and local, state, and federal officials, whose efforts have created good-paying jobs and new opportunities.”
