(Camden, NJ) – Inside the national headquarters for American Water, Gov. Phil Murphy and his economic development team led by the state Economic Development Authority CEO, Tim Sullivan, joined business leaders, community leaders, faith-based leaders, the mayor, state legislators and stakeholders in Camden to discuss the current economic landscape and the state of the city. Gov. Murphy was in a room with subject matter experts in a variety of fields providing him with expertise from speakers who come from different backgrounds.

In addition to the host committee, speakers around the boardroom who talked with Gov. Phil Murphy included host Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water, Dr. Ali Houshmand, President, Rowan University, Leo Holt, President, Holt Logistics, Jospeh Williams, Bishop of the Diocese of Camden, Lara Price, COO of the Philadelphia 76ers, Kevin O’Dowd, Co-CEO of Cooper University Health Care, Gil Medina, Executive Vice President, CBRE Inc. Richard Smith, President of the state NAACP, Christina Renna, President and CEO of the Southern New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Antonio Tillis, Chancellor of Rutgers University, Raymond Lamboy, CEO, Latin American Economic Development Association,  State Sen. Michael Testa, State Sen. Nilsa Cruz Perez, Matthew Pestronk, President, Post Brothers, Dr. John Mastinger, Executive VP/COO of Virtua Health, William Sproles, Executive of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Commissioner Jonathan Young, Vincent Guest, Senior Pastor of Sacred Heart Church and Stephen Mack, Senior Pastor Little Rock Baptist Church. 

Dana Redd, CEO of Camden Community Partnership, talked about the dialogue in the room during the meeting.

“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,” said Dana L. Redd, President and CEO of Camden Community Partnership. “Governor 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.”

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.

Gov. Phil 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,” said Governor Murphy. “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.”

Camden City Mayor Victor Carstarphen talked about the importance of a direct discussion with policy makers to take the city to the next level.

“Camden was once defined by the negative, but now our community stands as a beacon of hope, growth, and resilience,” City of Camden Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen 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.

Chairman of Cooper University Health Care and MD Anderson Cancer Care Camden and a board member of Camden Community Partnership, George E. Norcross III, said he was happy to have the dialogue with the Governor in one of the anchor institutions of the city.

“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,” Norcross 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.”   

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.  

Commissioner Jeffrey Nash talked about the progress made in the city to date.

“If you look at where we’ve come from there is a demonstrable difference in the city today from 10 years ago, but we cannot become complacent and forget about the promises we’ve made to the people of Camden,” Nash said. “We need to keep pushing to improve the city and deliver on those important objectives and goals that have not been attained yet and I believe this conversation was an important one to move closer to fulfilling those promises to the community.”  

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. 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,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “From the redevelopment of Eastside High School to the federal funding for the new LINK trail, Camden City and our local leaders have much to be proud of. During today’s summit with Governor Murphy, we discussed the need to expand business and education opportunities throughout South Jersey, and I’m confident that under his leadership, Camden will continue to thrive.”

About Camden Community Partnership:

Camden Community Partnership (CCP) is facilitating the revival of the City of Camden by creating an environment where people choose to live, work, and invest. CCP develops visionary, long-range plans for the redevelopment of Camden’s waterfronts and works with private sector, government, and community partners to make these plans a reality.  For more information, please visit www.camdencommunitypartnership.com or follow CCP on Facebook and Twitter.