Michele Siekerka and Tom Bracken, co-chairs of Opportunity New Jersey (ONJ), are continuing their mission to strengthen and realign the statewide economy. At a presentation this week at the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, the business leaders discussed the tenets and objectives of their Plan for an Affordable New Jersey.
They also provided an update on the formation of ONJ’s nonpartisan Economic Development and Advisory Council (EDAC), which held its inaugural meeting in Trenton last week. The Meadowlands meeting follows a similar presentation Mr. Bracken and Ms. Siekerka gave to the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce board of directors last month.
The Plan for an Affordable New Jersey, which was announced at a press conference this summer, outlines key action items to position the state for job growth and make the state more regionally competitive for businesses and employers. Goals include reforming corporate and individual taxes, making key investments in infrastructure and workforce development, and taking steps to attract venture and private equity funding to New Jersey. Numerous state business leaders have spoken out in favor of the Plan and its objectives.
Among the Plan’s key platforms is the formation of the EDAC, which includes diverse representation from statewide chambers of commerce, business and labor organizations, higher education organizations, and economic advocacy groups. The Council plans to meet with state leadership in the coming year to advise on issues impacting job growth and affordability in the state.
More information about the Plan, and the newly formed Economic Development and Advisory Council, is available here.
