Acting State Treasurer Peter R. Lawrance said he planned to turn the reports around in "real time" instead of the usual ten-day period. Furthermore, the department will waive the application fees.

The loans are aimed at helping small companies, particularly travel agencies and other airline-related businesses that have been hard hit as a result of the September 11 terrorist attack. For more information about the program, businesses should contact the SBA at 1-800-659-2955. Employers who are not located in the designated disaster areas but still need assistance should contact the New Jersey Emergency Business Assistance Hotline at 800-643-6090.

New Jersey Opens Business Relocation and Victim Assistance Offices
The New Jersey Commerce & Economic Growth Commission has established a toll-free hotline for companies that need emergency business assistance in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Businesses can call the toll-free Emergency Business Assistance Hotline at 800-643-6090 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Commission's Call Management Center, which serves as a single point of contact for government programs and services, will field the calls. Information about those services can also be accessed at www.newjerseycommerce.org/njhelps/.

State Commerce Secretary Sandy Hance said the hotline will help businesses reestablish operations disrupted by the attacks. Businesses can obtain information and assistance about temporary office space, securing employer and tax identification numbers, incorporation, unemployment insurance registration, workers compensation insurance, business licenses and certifications, and workforce training.

Businesses can also e-mail the Commission regarding emergency business assistance at NJHELPS@commerce.state.nj.us. Anyone who has available office space or other services to donate, please e-mail BIZSPACE@commerce.state.nj.us.

Additionally, Acting Governor Donald T. DiFrancesco on September 17 announced the creation of an Office of Recovery and Victim Assistance to lead New Jersey's efforts to help victims of the World Trade Center attack. DiFrancesco appointed former Port Authority Assistant Executive Director Lillian Borrone as recovery coordinator. To contact the center, call 866-652-7474.

President Signs $15 Billion Airline Assistance BillAs Sharp Drop in Air Travel Hits US Carriers
On The airline industry will receive $15 billion in direct grants and loan guarantees under federal legislation signed into law by President Bush in October. The package will assist an industry reeling from the September 11 terrorist attack. The FAA grounded all flights for more than 24 hours, and the number of passengers using commercial airlines has dropped precipitously.

The law provides $5 billion in direct grants and $10 billion in loan guarantees. Industry officials estimate that airlines had lost $5 billion in revenue by the end of September and predict that revenues will be off by $24 billion through the middle of next year. Layoffs of approximately 100,000 airline workers nationwide have been announced.

Several provisions aimed at protecting taxpayers were included in the bill. Executives making more than $300,000 per year cannot receive salary increases over the next two years. The Secretary of Transportation and Comptroller General were given auditing powers to verify airlines' financial losses. And in return for the loan guarantees, companies must provide the government with options to buy the company's common stock.

The federal law also includes some liability protections and authorizes up to $120 million in spending to ensure that small communities do not lose their air service.

Airline travel is a critical component of our economy. Protecting the industry's viability is essential to bolstering our economy and maintaining our nation's transportation infrastructure.

OSHA Postpones Ergonomics Regulations Announcement
The US Department of Labor has postponed an announcement on a possible new policy regarding ergonomics injuries in the workplace. The Department was scheduled to announce its findings of a policy review, three public hearings and written public comments on September 21. As a result of the September 11 attack, the Department postponed the announcement until later this fall.

On March 20, the President signed a Joint Resolution of Disapproval-passed by both Houses of Congress-to rescind the previous ill-advised ergonomics standard, promulgated by former-president Bill Clinton and slated to take effect this October. Since then, the Department has been working to develop new ergonomics regulations to better balance the concerns of employers and employees. The previous regulations would have required most businesses to redesign entire workplaces after receiving just one complaint of an ergonomics injury. For more information, contact Jeff Stoller at ext. 209 or jeffstoller@njbia.org.

Businesses Must Protect Reserve, Guard Jobs
Federal law requires employers to offer reemployment to employees who are called to duty in the military reserves or National Guard. Military personnel called up for active duty are entitled to return to their private-sector jobs with no loss of seniority or benefits.

President Bush has authorized the call-up of as many as 50,000 reservists in response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Members of the National Guard and the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service are also covered under the law, known as the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.

For more information, go to www.esgr.org/faqemployers.html, or contact Jeff Stoller at ext. 209 or jeffstoller@njbia.org.

NEW JOBS Endorses 95 Probusiness CandidatesFor Senate and Assembly in Nov. 6 Election
The New Jersey Organization for a Better State (NEW JOBS) has endorsed 95 candidates for the state Senate and Assembly as the best choices for creating jobs and building a strong, private-sector economy in the future.

"NEW JOBS is proud to endorse these men and women as the best candidates for New Jersey," NEW JOBS Chair Cathy Frank-White said. "Everyone who wants more sensible regulations, lower taxes and a more business-friendly political climate, should support these candidates in the November 6 election.""The candidates supported by NEW JOBS understand that building a strong private-sector economy is essential to making New Jersey a better state," NEW JOBS Executive Director Jim Sinclair said. "NEW JOBS Trustees have spent countless hours interviewing candidates and analyzing their voting records. These endorsements are not given lightly. Candidates must demonstrate a keen understanding of the issues and a proven ability to get things done."

The NEW JOBS Board of Trustees spent three months analyzing the candidates' records individually before making their endorsements for the fall elections. Incumbents were rated based on the legislation they had sponsored and cosponsored as well as their voting records. New candidates were interviewed by the board.

In making their selections, the trustees did not impose any specific "litmus tests." The endorsed candidates support policies that will create jobs and lower the cost of doing business in New Jersey

"After years of prosperity New Jersey is facing tough economic times. Now more than ever, reviving our economy must become job number one for our elected representatives," Frank-White said. "It is critical to elect candidates who are committed to rebuilding our economy. I encourage all New Jerseyans-employers and employees alike-to vote on Tuesday, November 6, and support the candidates endorsed by NEW JOBS."

This is a particularly critical election year for employers to support probusiness candidates. All 120 seats in the Senate and Assembly are being contested, putting control of the entire State House at stake and with it, the ability to control the legislative agenda. Republicans have controlled the Legislature since their 1991 landslide, but their margin has shrunk in every election since. Today, they maintain a 45 to 35 majority in the Assembly and a 25 to 15 majority in the Senate.

Founded as a nonpartisan organization in 1959, NEW JOBS is the oldest and largest pro-business political action committee in New Jersey. It is affiliated with the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey and the Atlantic County Mainland Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on NEW JOBS, Go Here.

NEW JOBS ENDORSEMENTS
For a complete list of NEW JOBS Endorsements Go Here.

NEW JOBS Night at the Meadowlands a Great Success
The New Jersey Organization for a Better State (NEW JOBS) on September 25 enjoyed one of its most successful "Night at the Meadowlands" fund-raisers ever, building important financial support for probusiness candidates in the fall election.

More than 150 guests-including 18 legislators-attended the event at the Pegasus Restaurant overlooking the Meadowlands Race Track. NEW JOBS sponsors one of the horse races and treats guests to a buffet dinner.

To date, NEW JOBS has held legislative receptions at The Mansion in Voorhees (with the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey), American Home Products in Madison, New Jersey Natural Gas in Wall, and the Linwood Country Club in Linwood (with the Atlantic County Mainland Chamber of Commerce).

The money raised will support pro-economic growth candidates in the November 6 election.

Quote of the Month
"Now more than ever, reviving our economy must become job number one for our elected representatives."

Cathy Frank-White
Chair, NEW JOBS
On NEW JOBS endorsement of 95 Senate and Assembly candidates

2001 Awards for Excellence Winners NJBIA Salutes
New Jersey's Finest
On October 16, New Jersey Business & Industry Association presented its 2001 Awards for Excellence to six companies and two individuals in a dinner ceremony at the Princeton Marriott. Two Honor Roll recipients were also recognized for their achievements. Association President Joseph E. Gonzalez Jr. and Board of Trustees Chairman Alexander McWilliams II presented the awards.

Since 1984, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association has honored a select group of companies from among its thousands of members with an Award for Excellence. Winners must demonstrate outstanding achievements in one of three award categories: Environmental Quality, Outstanding Employer, and Enterprise. A Public Service Award is also presented to an individual.

NJBIA would like to thank the independent panel of judges that selected this year's winners. Thirteen members of the local New Jersey chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) volunteered their time to conduct the judging.

We would also like to thank WithumSmith+Brown, the New Jersey-based accounting and consulting firm that verified the information supplied by the award winners.
For complete profiles of our Awards For Excellence winners, Go Here.

New Jersey Responds To WTC Attack
By Joe Gonzalez, President of NJBIA

"It is said that adversity introduces us to ourselves. This is true of a nation as well. In this trial, we have been reminded, and the world has seen, that our fellow Americans are generous and kind, resourceful and brave."

Words cannot adequately describe the horror we all felt when we saw the World Trade Center attacked. The magnitude of the destruction is still difficult to grasp. Our sorrow for the dead, the injured and their families is profound, and remains with us still.

But these attacks have also put our national character on display. As Americans, we have responded by pulling together and doing what we can to help. Confronting one of the worst tragedies in our nation's history has brought out the best in the people of New Jersey and the nation.

News reports in the weeks following the attacks carried many stories of individual and corporate generosity.

Blood banks were initially overwhelmed with donors. Charitable contributions came in faster than the organizations could count them. Total donations are expected to exceed $1 billion. During the first weeks of the crisis, New York City officials had to put out a plea to stop the overwhelming flood of donated food, water and emergency supplies.

In the midst of the chaos in Manhattan, two South Jersey chiropractors arrived with portable tables, abandoning their regular practice to give relief to the battered shoulders, backs and necks of weary rescue workers.

Hundreds of technicians who had taken early retirement from telephone system maker Avaya Inc. left the comfort of their New Jersey homes for grueling 12-hour shifts in New York City, where they helped to repair and install phone systems.

Johnson & Johnson donated a half-ton of medical supplies to St. Vincent's Hospital (the one closest to the World Trade Center) as well as screening kits to blood centers across the country. Schering-Plough donated Dr. Scholl's and Coppertone products to New York City fire stations.

AT&T donated $10 million in prepaid calling cards to rescue workers as well as free long distance at pay phones in the affected areas. Panasonic delivered a truckload of flashlights, head-mounted lamps, and batteries for rescue workers. InComm Solutions offered 300 minutes worth of its audio, video, and Web conferencing services to any organization affected by the disaster.

These are just a few examples of local companies that pitched in where and when they could. This is on top of the many millions of dollars in donations that individuals and businesses throughout the state have given to the Red Cross and other charities.

As terrible as the attack on our nation was, the way the nation has pulled together should make us all feel proud to be Americans.

NJBIA Backs Camden Cement Plant in "Environmental Justice" Court Case
NJBIA joined with Camden City officials and other business organizations on September 24 to speak out against a lawsuit that would deprive Camden of needed jobs by shutting down the St. Lawrence Cement factory.

The lawsuit, brought by the NAACP and local activists, seeks to rescind the plant's environmental permits, which were granted by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, on the grounds that they violate the civil rights of the residents of the surrounding neighborhood. If successful, the lawsuit would effectively close the $50 million facility.

The initial court decision held that the lawsuit had merit and should be heard. It ruled that even though the company did not have emissions exceeding acceptable levels, the neighborhood as a whole had too much pollution and the plant would add to it. The 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia held a hearing on September 25.

The St. Lawrence Cement Company, which makes additives for cement, opened its plant along Camden's waterfront in June. City officials, including Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison, embraced the project because it helped bring jobs to one of Camden's most impoverished neighborhoods. St Lawrence represents the largest private investment in Camden in 40 years.

This case could set a dangerous precedent for all businesses by allowing environmental permits to be rescinded after they were granted. St. Lawrence obtained all the necessary environmental permits before opening their plant. If those permits can then be rescinded after the company has invested millions of dollars in the community, few businesses would take such risks in the future. For more information, contact Jim Sinclair at ext. 236 or jsinclair@njbia.org.

Become an NJBIA Event Sponsor!
NJBIA provides an array of sponsorship opportunities available throughout the year, giving your company a wonderful opportunity to increase its visibility. Most sponsorships include company name on signage at event and name in follow-up stories in NJBIA's newsletter Business Voice and New Jersey Business magazine. Call Sherry Esteves at 609-393-7707, ext. 219, for more details or to sign up today.

NOVEMBER (TBD)
Made in New Jersey Day
NJBIA members showcase their products at the State House in Trenton at what has become an annual tradition-NJBIA's
Made in New Jersey Day. Products must be made in New Jersey. A luncheon with legislators is included.
Sponsorship $1,000

DECEMBER 5, 2001
Public Policy Forum
Meet New Jersey's newly elected Governor and legislative leaders. Hear the state's top political pundits explain what the election results mean for business. Get your name in front of 250 business-people by being a sponsor of this popular event.
Sponsorship $1,000-$2,500

JUNE 11, 2002
New Good Neighbor Awards Luncheon
This awards program recognizes outstanding new construction, expansion or renovation projects that improve the landscape as well as the economy of New Jersey. Sponsor this program that attracts approximately 250 attendees each year.
Sponsorship $1,000

JULY 16, 2002 Golf & Tennis Day
The event is one of the state's major business outings and one of New Jersey's largest amateur golf tournaments. There is also a round robin tennis tournament at the East Brunswick Racquet Ball Club. Enjoy exposure throughout the outing and be acknowledged in a follow-up story in New Jersey Business magazine by being a sponsor. Some of the sponsorship possibilities include tees, putting contest, beverage cart, golf towels, breakfast, etc.
Sponsorships $150-$8,000
Call for details.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Developing an Employee Handbook and Policies
This half day seminar will be held at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township. Experienced employment attorneys will explain how handbooks and employee policies can be written to help you manage your human resources more effectively and avoid costly legal disputes. Topics include harassment, discipline, leave policies, benefits and more. Cost is $99 per person for members and $129 for nonmembers. Contact Lisa Figatner at 609-393-7707, ext. 239, for registration information.

Register on line Here.

NOVEMBER (Date to be announced)
Made in New Jersey Day
If your company makes a product in New Jersey, showcase it at NJBIA's 6th Annual Made in New Jersey Day, which will be held on a legislative session day in November or December. The date of this year's event will be set as soon as we receive the Legislature's fall schedule. If you are a member of NJBIA and would like to be an exhibitor, a Sampler Bag contributor or an event sponsor, contact Stacy Wichner at 609-393-7707, ext. 213, or Sherry Esteves at ext. 219.

Register on line Here.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5
Annual Public Policy Forum
Meet New Jersey's newly elected Governor and legislative leaders at NJBIA's Annual Public Policy Forum. Come hear the state's top political pundits explain what the election results mean for business. Find out what's next for the Garden State economy from a panel of leading CEOs and corporate economists. The event will be held at the Sheraton at Woodbridge Place in Iselin from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Cost is $160 per person for NJBIA members and $220 for nonmembers and includes breakfast and lunch. To purchase tickets or for sponsorship information, contact Stacy Wichner at 609-393-7707, ext. 213, or Sherry Esteves at ext. 219.

Register on line Here.