The U.S. Economic Development Administration has (EDA) recently approved a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) covering 19 municipalities in the North-Central region of New Jersey. Approval of this document will allow the participating municipalities and their partners to compete for EDA funding opportunities related to economic and workforce development.

The CEDS plan was the outgrowth of a long-running effort by the John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy of Thomas Edison State University to support economic and community development in N.J. with a particular focus on the most urban areas in need of revitalization. NJHA was an active participant of the CEDS Steering Committee. The committee members included representatives and officials from each community; nonprofit organizations such as universities, community colleges, libraries and community-based organizations; and representatives of the private sector ranging from Fortune 100 corporations to small businesses.

Phase Three of this project – identifying funding opportunities to make the innovative initiatives outlined in the CEDS plan a reality – will begin soon. The process will involve another steering committee, and NJHA will seek to remain engaged.

The 19 partnering municipalities covered by the CEDS plan are Asbury Park, Bayonne, Bloomfield, East Orange, Elizabeth, Hoboken, Irvington, Jersey City, Lakewood, Neptune, New Brunswick, Newark, Orange, Passaic, Paterson, Perth Amboy, Plainfield, Roselle and Woodbridge.