CCIA Top Ten Project Updates

The Cumberland County Improvement Authority (CCIA) has been hard at work with continuing its operations and construction projects while leading the economic recovery effort from COVID-19 in Cumberland County. 

1. COVID-19 Response Task Force
 
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CCIA has created a Business Resource Strategies Task Force that meets weekly to receive updates and guidance on financial relief programs for Cumberland County businesses and residents. Agencies that have participated in the meeting include the NJEDA, SBA, USDA, USEDA, NJDOL, Cumberland County Workforce Development, HUD, First District Sen. Michael Testa,  and US Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker’s offices and the Federal Reserve. In addition, each of the county Chambers of Commerce has participated and quickly relayed information to their membership, permitting our local businesses to receive fast, accurate information. In response to the meetings, the CCIA has created a Best Practices Guidebook as the Murphy Administration implements its Reopening and Recovery strategy.  An impact study, authored by local economist Dr. Richard Perniciaro is also being completed to project the extent of COVID-19 impacts to Cumberland’s economy over the next 12 months. This will provide a data-driven approach to recovery in the county. 

2. Food Specialization Center (FSC) 

The state-of-the-art Food Specialization Center (FSC), located in the Food Technology Park in the City of Bridgeton, is nearing completion.  The Center is expected to be finished by July 2020. The 32,000 Sq. Ft. facility will be a business development conduit for the growing food processing sector in Cumberland County. The facility will function as a  launchpad for businesses graduating from the neighboring Rutgers Food Innovation Center, and existing companies looking to enter the Northeast market. Recently the CCIA entered a lease agreement with Chank’s Pizza Cones, a local start-up that has put a unique spin on how we eat pizza. 

3. COVID-19 Roundtable with State/Federal Officials 

The CCIA is partnering with the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey, on their next Good Morning South Jersey series. The topic for this segment will be on Small Business Resources for COVID-19. Tim Sullivan, CEO of the NJEDA, New Jersey Department of Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo, Lead Lender Relations Specialist for the SBA Sheryl Paynter, Wayne Meyer President of the NJCC, and Harry Stone President/CEO of CBAC will headline the program. The event will be held digitally on Thursday, May 28th, and will run from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Attendance is free, and those who are interested can register here.

4. OmniTrax Launches Rail Ready Sites Campaign  

OmniTrax, who recently purchased the Winchester and  Western Railroad (which runs through the Western portion of Cumberland County and Millville), launched their ‘Rail Ready Sites’ campaign.  This national campaign is promoting industrial sites along the rail line in Cumberland County. Along the rail line, there are over 750 acres of greenfield space and existing warehouse and manufacturing buildings prime for redevelopment. The campaign has been distributed to site selection firms and manufacturers in the hope of creating new investment opportunities and job creation in the county. 

5. CCIA Continues Improvements at Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ)

The CCIA has continued needed improvements to the Rowan College of South Jersey’s (RCSJ) Vineland campus. This includes continued renovation to the HVAC system, Completion of Phase I and entering Phase II of the Mill Building (Engineering Lab), and Security and Lock systems. Since the merger, the CCIA has been dedicated to continuing its partnership to provide maintenance and needed upgrades to New Jersey’s highest-ranked community college. 

6. Next Phase of the New Cumberland County Correctional Facility Begins 

Site work and preparation has been completed for the new Cumberland County Correctional Facility located on Buckshutem Road in Bridgeton, NJ. The CCIA has recently awarded contracts to start the construction of this state of the art facility.  The new facility represents a $60 million investment and will increase the safety of the employees while improving logistics. 

7. CCIA Continues Capital Projects for the County 

The CCIA continues to work on capital projects around Cumberland County. Recently we completed site design for upgrades to the pavilion at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Hopewell Township. In Bridgeton, the Sheriff’s Armory has been completed, and the Recovery Center is expected to be completed in June.  Upgrades completed to the Cumberland County Fairgrounds include planning for electrical upgrades and ADA assessability improvements. HVAC and roof work to the 4-H building in Deerfield township has also been completed. The CCIA is dedicated to continuing to improve safety and quality of life for Cumberland County residents and employees. 

8. CCTEC Construction of the Extension Continues 

The School of Health, Science, and Medicine at CCTEC  is moving forward, with construction starting in June 2020. The project is expected to be completed in one year, opening in time for the Fall 2021 school year. The $23 million project will increase the capacity of the CCTEC’s current programs, which will have its first four-year graduating class this year. The project is one of many showing the county’s continued dedication to investing in educational opportunities to help enhance its future workforce. 

9. CCIA Invests in Business Recruiting Software Gazelle AI  

The CCIA has invested in a Gazelle AI a business recruitment software developed by Research on Investment through the recent NJEDA Opportunity Zone grant challenge. The tool allows economic development organizations to find out which companies are looking to expand and what regions they are interested in based on the Gazelle’s patented G-Score and polling that they conduct. The CCIA is looking to utilize the tool to recruit businesses in the larger commercial and industrial areas in Bridgeton, Millville, and Vineland’s opportunity zones.  

10. Operations at the Solid Waste Complex Continues  

During the pandemic, the CCIA has continued operations at the landfill and has had the capability to allow 100% of administrative staff to work remotely. We have implemented several safety measures to protect employees by suspending all routine face to face services and adjusted several operations at the Solid Waste Complex (SWC). Safety is always of importance to the CCIA, and we thank all essential employees working on the frontlines.