A long, deep recession in New Jersey's commercial real estate industry has not stopped resilient and resourceful companies from creating some truly impressive construction and redevelopment projects, New Jersey Business & Industry President Philip Kirschner said today.  Fourteen such projects will be honored by NJBIA at its 49th annual New Good Neighbor Awards Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. Friday, June 5, at the Woodbridge Hotel and Conference Center (soon to be Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel) in Iselin.

The event annually brings together the State's top developers, builders, architects, engineers and others in the development community to honor those responsible for the State’s most impressive new commercial construction and renovation projects.

Despite the worst recession in modern history, NJBIA received nominations for 45 projects this year, representing $560 million worth of construction and creating 6,900 jobs.  Many of these projects were completed toward the end of 2008 while the economy was contracting at its fastest rate in 26 years.

"As we struggle through these tough economic times, it's encouraging to see how resourceful business can be," Kirschner said.  "The 45 projects nominated this year represent one of the largest pools of applications we have ever received.  They also represent the best examples of how developers can improve their communities by building attractive projects, creating jobs and being public service minded.

"This year's New Good Neighbor Award winners also show how businesses are resilient and can overcome adversity to not only keep their operations going, but also to grow," Kirschner said.  "This is the kind of ingenuity and determination that will pull us out of this downturn."

An independent panel of judges selected the winners based on economic impact, architectural merit and community involvement.  The winning projects are:

• 23 Orchard Road of Skillman

• AMB Liberty Logistics Center of Newark

• Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of Wayne

• BMW of North America of Woodcliff Lake

• French Street Redevelopment Project (10 Plum Street Medical Office Building & Plum Street Parking Garage) of New Brunswick

• Franklin Electric Company of Moorestown

• Woodrose Properties Golden Swan of Trenton

• Manufacturers Reserve Supply, Inc. of Irvington

• Indian Trail Club McBride House of Franklin Lakes

• North Sussex Street Landfill Redevelopment of Dover

• Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation of East Hanover

• Bergen Community College West Hall of Paramus

• The Culinary Conference Center at Hudson County Community College in Jersey City

• Sussex County Community College Health Sciences & Performing Arts Center of Newton

With more than 22,000 members, NJBIA is the nation's largest state-level employer association.  The awards are presented jointly by NJBIA and New Jersey Business magazine, NJBIA's flagship publication.  To learn more about each of the winners, visit www.njbia.org/awards or call Steve Wilson at 609-393-7707, ext. 245.