Chamber News Feed: Hunterdon County, NJ: Public transit services are bleak at best in Hunterdon County, and transportation access and mobility are major weaknesses here, according to the draft Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) released this week. For instance, said Sue Dziamara, Hunterdon County director of planning, NJ Transit buses service 11 of 13 northern New Jersey counties. Hunterdon is one of the two exceptions. On Oct. 6 about 40 people attended the draft reports release. The report and related documents are online at co.hunterdon.nj.us/planning.htm, and residents have until Oct. 22 to submit comments to the county Planning Department at hunterdonceds/contact/. We will do our best to point people to a place where an issue can be addressed, or incorporate it in the plan, Dziamara said. The report will guide strategy, she said, and is truly about the county being supportive, facilitating and taking on a role it has not had before, bringing together the various groups with a stake in a strong economic future for Hunterdon. Previously the Planning Departments focus was land use. One thing she said became clear was that the countys 26 municipalities have different goals for economic success. For instance, the report says Lambertville has been very supportive of business, townships resist development of any scale and Flemington is seen as an area needing investment/revitalization. Its no surprise that the report calls Hunterdon a bedroom community. People spend their money elsewhere. The county hopes to form public-private partnerships with municipalities, nonprofits, businesses and organizations, said Dziamara, to create that special element that works for them to keep the county economically viable. The report lists advantages the county enjoys, such as a well-educated workforce, and drawbacks, such as a dearth of jobs that can encourage young college graduates to return to Hunterdon. In addition to NJ Transit service, Dziamara said, We, of course, would like to see better rail service. We keep hearing theres no money and theres no space, but that doesnt stop us from continuing to lobby for service our residents want and deserve. Another consideration is where new transit routes should start and end, both within Hunterdon and to neighboring counties, not just New York City. One suggestion the county has heard is a link between Hunterdon towns and Raritan Valley Community College, or even a satellite campus in Hunterdon. An outgrowth of the CEDS is the countys decision to hire a Cultural & Heritage Commission director, and move its office to the old courthouse in Flemington, hoping to increase tourism. Dziamara said that the plan is still in the review process with partner groups. Once it receives final approval, it will become part of the county Master Plan. Some elements could be adopted starting next year, she said. Your Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce Works for You!
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 10:05:01 +0000
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