Lauren Moore, right, president of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance, and Brett Harrison Matik, alliance chair, say their goal is to diversify the area’s economy so when disaster strikes, it won’t cripple the region.
The first building of the National Aviation Research and Technology Park on the grounds of the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Egg Harbor Township is up and running, and plans are to break ground on building No. 2 later this year.
Lauren Moore, Jr., PP/AICP President Atlantic County Economic Alliance and Brett Harrison Matik, Chairwoman of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance talk about Atlantic County Economic Alliance is working to bring more high paying tech jobs to the area through the NARTP in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. May 6, 2021. One building that will house these jobs is already up and running, another is breaking ground later this year. Edward Lea Staff Photographer / Press of Atlantic City
Lauren Moore, Jr., PP/AICP President Atlantic County Economic Alliance and Brett Harrison Matik, Chairwoman of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance talk about Atlantic County Economic Alliance is working to bring more high paying tech jobs to the area through the NARTP in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. May 6, 2021. One building that will house these jobs is already up and running, another is breaking ground later this year. Edward Lea Staff Photographer / Press of Atlantic City
Brett Harrison Matik, Chairwoman of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance talk about Atlantic County Economic Alliance is working to bring more high paying tech jobs to the area through the NARTP in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. May 6, 2021. One building that will house these jobs is already up and running, another is breaking ground later this year. Edward Lea Staff Photographer / Press of Atlantic City
Lauren Moore, Jr., PP/AICP President Atlantic County Economic Alliance and Brett Harrison Matik, Chairwoman of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance talk about Atlantic County Economic Alliance is working to bring more high paying tech jobs to the area through the NARTP in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. May 6, 2021. One building that will house these jobs is already up and running, another is breaking ground later this year. Edward Lea Staff Photographer / Press of Atlantic City
Lauren Moore, Jr., PP/AICP President Atlantic County Economic Alliance and Brett Harrison Matik, Chairwoman of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance talk about Atlantic County Economic Alliance is working to bring more high paying tech jobs to the area through the NARTP in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. May 6, 2021. One building that will house these jobs is already up and running, another is breaking ground later this year. Edward Lea Staff Photographer / Press of Atlantic City
Lauren Moore, president of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance, and Brett Harrison Matik, alliance chair, say their goal is to diversify the area’s economy so when disaster strikes, it won’t cripple the region.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Atlantic County lost 40% of its economy, due in large part to the county being 60% dependent on travel, tourism and leisure, according to a report published by the Atlantic County Economic Alliance.
“When the pandemic hit and nine casinos shut, nobody was allowed to go to restaurants and all the service industries got clobbered as a result of that … we were the hardest hit county (in the country),” said Lauren Moore, president of the alliance. “While that was very bad, it really put a spotlight on why it’s important for us to diversify our economy.”
Implemented in 2017, the ACEA is a private-sector directed, nonprofit economic development corporation whose mission is to attract and retain businesses and industries that will help workforce development and economic diversification.
Its main goal: to attract different businesses and industries to the county that offer high-paying jobs and to work with educational institutions to offer curricula catered to those industries.
Economic development has a trickle-down effect, said Brett Harrison Matik, chair of the ACEA.
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — It was like a scene from a sci-fi movie Wednesday morning at Atlantic …
“It’s about bringing education and qualified people to the area for high-paying, high-quality jobs,” she said. “If we have people making minimum wage, they’re feeding their family. If we bring in someone who’s making $50,000 to $150,000 a year, they’re hiring a landscaper, they’re hiring a painter, you’re going to go to dinner maybe one more time a month, the wife is going to the salon versus doing her hair herself.”
