Target Industries in New Jersey’s Heartland
AGRICULTURE
The Rutgers Food Innovation Center is a unique business incubation and economic development accelerator program, which operates under the auspices of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) at Rutgers, New Jersey’s State University. The Center provides technology and business to established, startup and value-added agricultural companies in New Jersey’s Heartland and food industry ventures throughout the world.
Food and agriculture are New Jersey’s third largest industry, and you won’t find better than the farm to table freshness in New Jersey’s Heartland. The Heartland of New Jersey produces nearly 100 different kinds of fruits and vegetables, which consumers throughout the Northeast and Canada enjoy every year.
New Jersey’s Heartland also features more than 30 commercial vineyards and wineries, the Outer Coastal Plain American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a hidden gem located between Philadelphia and the famous Jersey Shore. Comprised of more than 2.25 million acres, most within the Heartland of New Jersey, the area is suited to grow dozens of fine wine varietals. The region and its Outer Coastal Wines are quickly becoming popular with wine lovers.
TOURISM
New Jersey’s “Non-Shore” counties, which include New Jersey’s Heartland, account for more than 50 percent of the state’s tourism revenues.
Natural beauty and history is right at the top of the list. Add in easy access from the Northeast and affordability, and you have a winning combination for tourism.
New Jersey’s Heartland is home to Revolutionary War sites and riverside forts, historic bed-and-breakfasts and the country’s oldest weekly rodeo. Hiking, fishing, hunting, kayaking, boating, camping and even bird eco-tourism (sighting bald eagles happens every day) can all be found in the Heartland of New Jersey.
Agritourism is also booming, with two wonderful wine trails featuring some of the top wineries in the country. Plus, don’t forget the wonderful farmer’s markets and roadside stands, which feature New Jersey’s best farm to table and pick-your-own produce and flowers.
Whether you’re looking for adventures, history, recreation or fine food and wine, you will find it in New Jersey’s Heartland.
