Loralyn Mears, EIR – Market Development, has extensive experience selling and marketing products and services for several Fortune 500 life sciences companies. She has closed multi-million- and billion-dollar deals, forged hundreds of partnerships, and launched innovative first-in-world products that have generated significant revenues for a former Fortune 10 employer.
 
In her last few roles, Mears has designed and executed integrated sales and marketing campaigns promoting corporate real estate and facilities management, and information technology and biomarker genomics software to biopharmaceutical customers. Mears has helped drive billions of dollars in revenues by forging C-suite relationships with customers as a trusted advisor and by creating novel sales channels with strategic partners. She has also established world-class competitive intelligence infrastructure and programs, and managed market research teams to track trends and insights and apply data analytics and metrics to measure team performance.
 
Mears has an affinity for creating alliances and partnerships. She believes collaboration and partnerships – whether academic, vendor or practitioner – are key to awareness and market development. This belief is driving her to help CCIT tenants identify and articulate their value to the marketplace. For example, since beginning at CCIT last month, Mears has worked closely with Aucta Pharmaceuticals Founder & CEO Shoufeng Li, PhD to raise his company’s profile at last week’s JP Morgan Chase Healthcare Conference.

Mears earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Queen’s University, a Master of Science degree from the University of Toronto and a PhD in Molecular Biology jointly through Case-Western Reserve University and Queen’s University.
 
Why did you choose to apply to the EIR program?
I'm drawn to people who are passionate about their work and about trying to make a difference in people's lives. I love the positive and frenetic energy that comes with start-ups and recall the intensity of midnight pizza meetings and trying to get a solution ready for a customer back when I was part of a start-up. The pressure, the passion, the hope – all combine to create a vitality that's stimulating and energizing. Who doesn't want to be a part of a program that fosters this?! 
 
What do you hope to get out of this EIR program?
In recent years, I've strayed too far from biopharmaceutical scientific research and I miss being part of a team that can have direct immediate impact on human health. I am skilled at translating scientific and technical content and converting "it" into something of measurable commercial value and can help the consumer understand why "it" is special. Helping CCIT tenants  with their efforts in global market development and finding new partners and additional funding, and grow sales, is one way I can give back, and get closer to the science that I've missed at the same time. By doing what I do, I hope to help the tenants here do what they do brilliantly — making discoveries that will transform patients' lives.
 
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve heard over the years that you hope to impart on these emerging life sciences companies?
Forbes StrengthsFinder changed my life. The philosophy proposed is to let go of all of the skills that you're simply not good at and absolutely nail your Top 3 existing skills. This advice has helped me zero in on roles and projects in which I know I can be the most effective and impactful. According to Strengthsfinders, my Top 3 are:

1) "WOO" (Winning people over) – essential to build relationships in alliances and sales
2) Communications – essential for a liaison role with partnerships and essential for crafting marketing messages
3) Strategy – enormously helpful to assimilate disparate data and identify the right next step based on a situational analysis
 
What is the next challenge you want to undertake in your career?
Recently, I've had a variety of roles in market development and worked for several employers. While my intention has always been to secure a role with a single employer and stay there long enough to learn, grow, advance and have impact, as we all know, there is much churn in the industry today which often results in a premature and unexpected stop on the career path with your employer. I have challenged myself to find a leader, a team, an employer, and a mentor that will help me build the skills and experience that I need to establish a career managing strategic partnerships and harnessing innovation that will have a positive impact on people's lives.
 
More information about EIR program, including eligibility, can be found at www.njeda.gov/EIR.

A meeting of the Capital City Redevelopment Corporation (CCRC) Board has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 10:00 am in the EDA Board Room, 36 West State Street, Trenton, NJ.
 
A copy of the proposed agenda can be found at http://web.njeda.com/ccrc/page.aspx?id=2461

Edison Partners Managing Partner Chris Sugden addresses the audience

at Edison's 2015 CEO Summit.

TRENTON (January 14, 2016) – Edison Partners enters 2016 at an exciting point in its history. The investment firm recently moved back to its original home in Princeton, and is also in the midst of investing in technology-sector businesses through its newest fund, Edison Partners VIII. 
 

Last January, the Board of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a $2.5 million limited partnership investment in Edison VIII. Under the leadership of Managing Partner Chris Sugden, the fund will invest in 20-25 growth stage technology businesses across four industry sectors: financial technology, healthcare information technology, marketing technology, and enterprise 2.0 (focused mainly on mobile, security and business operations software).
 

The EDA previously invested in four Edison Partners funds.  The firm, formerly Edison Ventures, has nearly a dozen New Jersey portfolio companies, including Trialscope, PHX and Scivantage. The company recently announced that it successfully exited Fairfield-based Archive Systems Inc., which has experienced significant growth over the past few years and was recently acquired by Access®.
 

“The EDA’s commitment to New Jersey’s technology ecosystem is unwavering,” EDA Chief Executive Officer Melissa Orsen said. “As part of this commitment, we help increase available capital for companies by investing as a limited partner in venture capital funds.  To date, the EDA has invested in excess of $40 million; these funds have leveraged the EDA’s investment in New Jersey businesses by more than 62 times.”
 

In addition to its investment of capital, Edison Partners offers its portfolio companies access to its Edison Edge value add platform which entails four key elements: sales and marketing acceleration program, capital formation and exit advisory, the Edison Director Network, and executive education programs.
 

“During 2015, Edison performed more than 200 advisory engagements, hosted 11 events (with nearly 400 attendees) and had 52 active Edison Director Network members serving on portfolio company Boards of Directors,” Sugden said. “The Edison Edge is a unique, turnkey platform of support and mentorship that nurtures innovation and accelerates growth stage companies.”
 

Edison Partners routinely participates in the New Jersey Founders & Funders events at the EDA’s Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT) in North Brunswick. Held semi-annually, these events enable early-stage businesses to meet with potential investors in 10-minute, one-on-one “speed dating” sessions to discuss strategy, business models and funding opportunities.  Registration is now open for the spring 2016 event at https://application.njeda.com/tls/.
 

@NJEDATech asked Sugden about Edison Partners’ experience in New Jersey:

What advantages does Edison Partners see in locating itself in New Jersey?
New Jersey has been Edison’s home since our founding in 1986. We recently moved back, after 20 years, from Lawrenceville to our original location in Princeton.  I can personally attest to the phenomenal opportunities in New Jersey, having moved my family from New York City to New Jersey 18 years ago for a startup. Our location benefits Edison and our portfolio companies in several ways: First, one of the biggest advantages of New Jersey is location, location, location; we are the epicenter of commerce and financial markets along with access to major cities outside the state. This proximity enables business to get done in person more often, which is more efficient. Second, the talent pool in New Jersey is tough to replicate, in terms of both a well-trained workforce and availability of talent. Finally, our state offers unique access to incredible natural resources that enable work-life balance. Whether you enjoy the beach, golf, skiing or hiking, New Jersey has it all within a short drive.

How has the Edison Edge benefited your portfolio companies?
Edison Edge brings value to our portfolio companies and the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole. Edison’s sales and marketing acceleration program is unique in that we combine our talent and processes with our portfolio company talent to accelerate growth. Too often, young companies spend money on sales and marketing without the processes or technology to effectively measure and scale these areas. Edison Edge offers over 50 playbooks, from strategic objectives such as product positioning, to tactical ones, including marketing technology acquisition and enablement.

Edison Edge worked with 23 portfolio companies in sales and marketing acceleration in 2015.
 

What advice you give to startup companies that you meet at our Founders & Funders events?
I love the Founders & Funders events. The EDA has done a great job bringing entrepreneurs and capital together in an informal setting. Edison will continue to actively participate in these events.

In terms of advice, one thing I tell all young companies is to FOCUS. Do not allow yourself to chase after too many markets or solve too many problems at once. Be able to clearly articulate the problem you solve and solve it better than anyone else can. If you do this over and over, success will follow. To quote Thomas Edison, “If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves.” For startups and founding teams, do what you are capable of doing and astound your customers. 
 

For more information about resources available to support New Jersey’s technology industry, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) recently announced the selection of the second group of Executive-in-Residence (EIR) appointees. This group of highly-skilled life sciences professionals will mentor and advise emerging companies at EDA’s Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT) in North Brunswick. The EIR Program was created in collaboration with BioNJ.

Over the next few weeks, @NJEDATech will delve into the back-stories of the five EIRs; first up, Gary Esterow of Manalapan.

 
Gary Esterow, EIR – Strategic Communications, brings over 30 years of global communications expertise in the consumer, pharmaceutical, medical device, non-profit, agency, and corporate arenas to his advisory role. He told @NJEDATech that he looks forward to helping the start-up and small tenant companies at CCIT establish and grow their businesses and develop relationships with key influencers.
 
During more than two decades at Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Esterow developed and executed a number of multifaceted, integrated communications strategies and programs for leading over-the-counter and prescription brands across the pharmaceutical giant’s sectors. Within each of the divisions he worked, Esterow was instrumental in building and expanding the base of company and brand advocates through the development of strategic partnerships with consumers, healthcare professionals, and other key influencers. He also worked closely with business leaders to provide strategic counsel and focused leadership during uncertain times, helping ensure organizational readiness for a number of potential and emerging U.S. and global issues. While at J&J, Esterow received numerous awards in recognition of innovation, customer focus, teamwork, diversity, and leadership.
 
In addition to mentoring tenant companies at CCIT, Esterow is currently providing counsel, writing, and executing programs on behalf of a number of healthcare clients. He can be reached directly at gesterow@gmail.com.
 
Esterow earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alfred University.
 
@NJEDATech spoke to Esterow about the EIR Program:
 
Why did you choose to apply to the Executive-in-Residence program?
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to lead, and collaborate with others, in driving business impact and customer engagement through effective communications and stakeholder management. I applied to the EIR program because I feel that the breadth and depth of my background and experiences can be of assistance to these start-up and small companies in helping them to establish and grow their businesses, and can help them develop relationships with key influencers. I also saw it as a wonderful opportunity to network with the other EIRs and the broader life sciences community.
 
 What do you hope to get out of this Executive-in-Residence program?
 I would like to work with as many of the CCIT tenants as possible to understand their needs and help them develop and implement impactful communications strategies that will create value for them and their key stakeholders. Additionally, I hope to expand my own network within the healthcare and life sciences community.
 
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve heard over the years that you hope to impart on these emerging life sciences companies?
These two pieces of advice have been at my desk side for years and have inspired me both personally and professionally:
 
“You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take” (Wayne Gretzky) — CCIT tenants are already on this path, but it is a great reminder to continue to experiment and cultivate new ideas. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and have the inner confidence to take prudent risks and learn from experience.
 
“…you must be very careful not to just go down a road because you had planned to.” (Katherine Hepburn) — Be comfortable in understanding and recognizing that sometimes change to an agreed upon plan is necessary if it is in the best interest of the enterprise. Remain focused under ambiguous and complex circumstances and work well with others in leading and managing change when it is needed.
 
What is the next challenge you want to undertake in your career?
I am in the midst of that challenge now — looking to find my next opportunity, whether it be in a senior leadership role with a new organization or by doing more hands-on, senior level counseling and execution work with a variety of clients.
 
Over the years, I have helped build and strengthen the role of the communications function as an essential business partner, and have developed a reputation for building strategic partnerships that have played important roles in enhancing, protecting, and preserving brand and company reputations. Having the opportunity to do these things in healthcare has given me great personal and professional satisfaction.  I hope the future will provide me with more chances to continue working with organizations and individuals who share my enthusiasm for and commitment to making a difference in the lives of patients and the healthcare professionals they depend on for care.  
 
To learn more about the EIR Program, visit https://www.njeda.gov/eir and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority's next public Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the EDA offices at 36 West State Street, Trenton. A copy of the proposed agenda can be found prior to the meeting at www.njeda.gov/Board. Following the Board Meeting, minutes and the full agenda will also be available at www.njeda.gov/Board.

When it comes to treating cancer, early detection and a personalized treatment plan can be critical. Rutherford-based Cancer Genetics, Inc. (CGI) is a key player in the development of tools that help physicians and pharmaceutical companies identify genomic markers to determine the best and most efficient cancer treatments.

CGI’s “bench to bedside” approach ensures that the research and development (R&D) that happens in its labs translate into actionable information for clinicians and pharmaceutical companies. This means that with the information CGI provides, patients can receive customized and potentially lifesaving treatments.

“We believe that getting the right treatments to the right patients at the right time is absolutely critical,” CGI Chief Financial Officer Ed Sitar said. “CGI’s cutting-edge proprietary tests and state-of-the-art reference laboratory provide vital information where patients and their physicians need it most – to diagnose, monitor and design cancer treatment.”

In the last two years, CGI has acquired companies in India and China and has greatly extended its global reach. Through these acquisitions, CGI expanded its offering to include both hematological and solid tumor testing.

CGI currently holds 84 global patents and 30 United States patents. It also contracts with seven of the top 10 biopharmaceutical companies in the world. CGI offers 10 proprietary, commercially-launched tests and actively supports over 70 clinical trials with its testing, genomic services, and biomarker capabilities.

As part of its commitment to continued research to accelerate the field of cancer genomics, CGI partners with over 17 leading institutions and established a joint venture with Mayo Clinic that focuses on collaborations surrounding multiple myeloma, lung cancer and follicular lymphoma. Known as OncoSpire, the venture is developing diagnostic tests that CGI hopes will become the new standard for diagnosing and managing patients with these diseases. CGI reports that there are over two million cases annually of these diseases.

“New Jersey’s technology ecosystem invites and encourages innovation and collaboration,” New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) Chief Executive Officer Melissa Orsen said. “It is great to see CGI working with national institutions and partners in the global fight against cancer.”

CGI’s team is achieving successes externally and internally; earlier this year CGI’s Ed Sitar was selected as CFO of the Year by NJBIZ in the Public Company category.

CGI has benefited from New Jersey’s Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer (NOL) Program since 2012. Administered by the EDA and the New Jersey Department of Treasury's Division of Taxation, the NOL program enables companies to sell unused New Jersey net operating losses and R&D tax credits for cash to finance their growth and operations. The sale to unrelated profitable corporations in New Jersey has been critical to many New Jersey companies in managing their cash flow. To date, more than $860 million in funding provided through the NOL Program has helped over 500 different businesses.

@NJEDATech asked Sitar about CGI’s experience in New Jersey and its plans for the future:

Why did CGI choose to establish itself in New Jersey?  
New Jersey provides a perfect concentration of the elements needed to help an emerging technology company prosper. In CGI’s case, the company moved from Cambridge, MA primarily to accommodate CGI Founder Dr. Raju S. K. Chaganti and his scientific team, who were all largely at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. New Jersey also provides access to the talent we needed to continue to innovate – both scientific and business talent. New Jersey is in a great biotechnology and pharmaceutical corridor–close to research institutions, universities, many clinicians at some of the most highly recognized teaching and treatment hospitals in the country, and to our pharmaceutical partners.

How will CGI use funding received through this year’s allocation of the NOL Program?
CGI will use the funding for further investment in R&D activity and to advance development of our commercial tests and sales infrastructure.

What is CGI’s biggest success to date?
Our biggest successes to date have ultimately happened outside our lab…changing patient lives, accelerating approvals for new drugs, and making changes in the personalization of diagnosis and therapies. Internally, our success has been our growth, our integration of three new companies across the globe, and the launch of our ten proprietary tests. These acquisitions have allowed us to have a national and international footprint and to expand our offering to include solid cancers as well as hereditary cancers. The acquisitions have established CGI as a leading personalized medicine company in the field of oncology diagnostics.

What’s on the horizon for CGI?  
CGI is uniquely positioned to be the oncology diagnostic partner of choice. We live and breathe our bench to bedside mission every day through our collaborations, our tests, and our approach to addressing cancer treatment and research.
 
To learn about programs and initiatives that support the technology industry, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.
 

Trenton, N.J., (December 18, 2015) – In the spirit of the Christie Administration’s Season of Service, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) launched its own internal initiative to help the State’s most vulnerable residents over the holidays. Known as the “Community Challenge,” the program presents opportunities for EDA employees to participate in community service projects of their choosing.

“The goal of the Community Challenge was twofold – to encourage team building and development within the organization and to help communities in need,” said EDA CEO Melissa Orsen. “Feedback from staff has been overwhelmingly positive, and I am proud of our employees’ unwavering commitment to the greater good.”

More than ten organizations benefited from the inaugural Challenge, and populations served include victims of domestic violence, the elderly, foster children, abandoned and abused animals, and those suffering from poverty and/or homelessness and hunger. Organizations supported include:
 

• Elijah’s Promise – EDA employees rolled over 200 sets of utensils for the community soup kitchen of a New Brunswick organization working to alleviate hunger and empower lives for the most vulnerable residents of central New Jersey.

• Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County – EDA’s leadership team installed decking to support the floor of a home for which ground was broken in November. Once finished, it will be purchased by a family of five currently living in a two-bedroom apartment.

• La Casa de Don Pedro – The EDA’s Newark office sorted and bagged food for local families through this community-based, grassroots organization that supports the needs of underserved children, individuals, and families.

• Mercer Street Friends Food Bank – 100 bags of food were assembled for the “Meals on Wheels” program. EDA staff also stuffed donation envelopes and sorted more than 50 cases of canned goods for distribution.

• New Hope Health Center (an initiative of the New Hope Church of God) – EDA staff assisted with general office tasks, scheduling appointments, and making phone calls, enabling medical staff, led by Pastor Philip M. Bonaparte, M.D., to focus on the organization’s mission of providing free medical services to the community.

• One Simple Wish – More than $1000 was raised selling cocoa to help make wishes come true for kids in foster care through the inaugural Cocoa for Kids program.

• Riverside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – EDA employees visited with residents and decorated the home for the holidays.

• Rolling Harvest Food Rescue – A team of employees gleaned fields to harvest vegetables for distribution to local food banks for Thanksgiving meals.

• Salvation Army – An EDA team helped the organization with its Christmas Castle/toy shop pilot program, including decorating the Christmas Castle, and sorting and organizing toys to distribute to 700 families. Another group collected and donated personal items and shopped for gifts, and still another “adopted” a family, buying every “wish” list item for a family with two little girls.

• Trenton Animal Shelter – Employees visited the shelter to care for and play with the animals, and a large donation of items needed by the shelter was made, including food, treats, cleaning products and toys.

• Womanspace – Gifts were purchased for women and children impacted by domestic and sexual violence, currently living in transitional housing.

 
Orsen noted that there have been many expressions of gratitude from the supported organizations, including One Simple Wish and Womanspace.
 
“There’s a good chance that a foster child lives in your neighborhood, or in a city only a few minutes away. There’s an even better chance that these children, who are invisible to many of us, will not have the opportunity to experience many of the simple joys of the holiday season. That’s where organizations like the EDA have come in,” said One Simple Wish Program Manager, Danielle Kocubunski.
 
Lauren Nazarian, Director of Development, Womanspace, expressed gratitude for the gift baskets donated. “The EDA group really put such time and care into each basket and it shows. Thank you.”

TRENTON (December 17, 2015) –The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) today announced that five highly-qualified individuals have been selected to serve as its second group of Executives-in-Residence (EIRs), mentoring and advising emerging technology companies at the Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT) in North Brunswick. Developed in collaboration with BioNJ, the EIR program is designed for high-level biotechnology executives currently in transition. 
 
“New Jersey’s technology ecosystem invites and encourages mentorship and collaboration between established life sciences executives and up-and-coming biotechnology companies,” EDA Chief Executive Officer Melissa Orsen said. “The EIR Program harnesses that collaborative energy to benefit the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
 
“We are thrilled with the success of the Executive-in-Residence program and are excited for the second round of EIRs,” said Debbie Hart, President and CEO, BioNJ. “The growth of New Jersey’s life sciences ecosystem relies on collaboration and mentorship and this program fosters innovation, entrepreneurship and advancement.”

The newest round of EIRs includes:
 
Gary Esterow of Manalapan (EIR – Strategic Communications), who brings over 30 years of global communications expertise in the consumer, pharmaceutical, medical device, non-profit, agency, and corporate arenas.

Sathapana (Sam) Kongsamut, PhD of Madison (EIR –Investment and Partnering Strategies), is an entrepreneurial neuroscientist with vast pharmaceutical research and development experience, as well as business development experience.

Loralyn Mears, PhD, of Parsippany, (EIR – Market Development), who brings extensive experience selling and marketing products and services in the life sciences for several Fortune 500 companies.

Roland Staal, PhD, of Metuchen (EIR – Strategic and Product Planning), is a scientist with a passion for drug discovery and comprehensive knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry.

Richard (Rick) Winneker, PhD, of Margate, (EIR – Research Communications, Strategic Planning and Partnering), who brings 30 years of experience, specializing in drug discovery and development, and life science research and organizational strategic planning.

Full EIR biographies and photos available at https://www.njeda.gov/eirgroup2.
 
The selected Executives will mentor and coach CCIT’s promising companies through weekly office hours, during which CCIT tenants can seek advice on a variety of topics as they grow their companies. Each Executive will also offer a lecture on a topic relevant to entrepreneurship.
 
Benefits of the program for selected Executives include networking opportunities with tenants, BioNJ and the greater New Jersey Life Sciences communities; office space at CCIT; the title of Executive –In-Residence; and exposure on the EDA’s website and social media channels.  The EIR Program has led to exciting opportunities for the first round of life sciences professionals, including full time employment and consulting positions. 
 
The EIR Program application process is highly competitive.  Applications are received on a  rolling basis, with appointments of new executives made on a semi-annual basis. To be eligible, executives must be full-time residents of New Jersey with legal working status in the United States. Qualified individuals must also be willing to work at CCIT at least one day a week to advise and mentor tenants. More information about the program, including eligibility, can be found at www.njeda.gov/EIR.
 
To learn about programs and initiatives that support the technology industry, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls and follow @NJEDATech on Twitter and LinkedIn.

From left to right:  Tim Lizura, EDA President and Chief Operating Officer; Annie Fox, Resource Development Manager, Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County; Maureen Hassett, Senior Vice President, EDA; Melissa Orsen, Chief Executive Officer, EDA; and Fred Cole, Senior Vice President, EDA.

Trenton, N.J., (December 16, 2015) – As part of the Christie Administration’s fifth annual “Season of Service” initiative, New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) CEO Melissa Orsen volunteered today at a Willingboro Habitat for Humanity construction site.  Orsen was accompanied by a team of EDA volunteers, including President and Chief Operating Officer Tim Lizura, and Senior Vice Presidents Fred Cole and Maureen Hassett.

EDA’s leadership team spent the morning installing decking to support the floor of a home on a site where ground was broken in November.  Construction of the home is expected to be completed within about a year.  Once completed, the home will be purchased by a family of five currently living in a two-bedroom apartment.
 
Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County, the Maple Shade-based non-profit affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, has built 50 homes since its inception in 1987, including houses in Burlington City, Mt. Holly, Medford, Cinnaminson, Beverly, Pemberton, Palmyra, Florence, Moorestown, Burlington Township, Bordentown, and Mt. Laurel. Habitat serves thousands of people each year with opportunities to volunteer and give back to their communities, as well as hundreds of individuals and families who now have a place to call home.
 
Financing terms for low income families partnering with Habitat for Humanity to purchase homes include zero interest financing and payments not exceeding 30 percent of gross income, and no down payment is required.  Participating families must complete 250 to 400 hours of “sweat equity” to build their home and the homes of other Habitat families, work in Habitat’s ReStores, and attend Homeowner Education classes, meetings, and special events.
 
Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County recently received a loan through the EDA’s Small Business Fund to purchase the building it had been leasing since 2014. Prior to that, the entity’s corporate offices and ReStore operations had been located in Cinnaminson. The move to Maple Shade was driven by the goal of expanding, and attracting more customers to the ReStore, which sells donated, secondhand items to raise money for the organization.

The Christie Administration’s annual Season of Service activities allow Administration staff to perform volunteer work at various locations across the State to help New Jersey residents. Continuing the success of previous service initiatives, this year’s activities are focused on serving New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents. 

In the spirit of Season of Service, EDA has undertaken its own initiative, the EDA Community Challenge, through which each department within the EDA participates in a community service project.  The more than ten organizations supported to date include Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, the Trenton Animal Shelter, the Salvation Army, Womanspace, and Riverside Nursing Home.