DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Office of the Director
Phone: 908-527-4802
Promotes and develops the planning and growth of the County of Union, through the implementation and coordination of all economic development plans and programs including matters affecting workforce investment, community development, and quality of housing.
Bureau of Information Technologies
Workforce Development Board
Directs training investments to create sustainable jobs, develops marketing strategies to promote business services, and designs competitive economic and workforce policies.
Division of Community Services
Phone: 908-527-4462
Partners with communities and non-profit agencies to reduce the causes of poverty, increase job opportunities, economic security for individuals/families and revitalize communities. Our social service and community development programs work in a variety of ways to improve the lives of many.
Bureau of Community Development
Oversees the federally funded Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). CDBG funds are used for a wide range of community development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, social service programs and improvements to community facilities.
Community Development Block Grant Program Year 44 – September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019
Increases access to decent housing and suitable living environments for low and very-low income families through federally funded programs such as the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), the HOME Program, and CDBG program.
Phone: 908-527-4918
The Office of Veteran Services is the vital link between men and women who served their country and the services available from Federal, State, County and Municipal levels of government and the private sector.
Richard Thompson 908-527-4719
Richard Zalinkanskas 908-527-4946
Phone: 908-527-4273
Develops strategic plans for the County, focusing on economic competitiveness and growth, transportation, land use and sustainability. Coordinates and aligns policies and initiatives across County departments and governmental agencies through outreach and shared services.
Phone: 908-558-2273
Works towards a balanced transportation system for Union County and seeks to meet the travel needs of people and goods through a coordinated intermodal transportation system; conducts its own studies and partners with other entities to investigate and address a range of transportation planning challenges.
Phone: 908-527-4268
Assures that Union County complies with all state planning statutes and regulations; maintains a central repository of all local Master plans and zoning ordinances; serves as a conduit between municipalities regarding planning information, municipal redevelopment efforts and Brownfield/Greyfield information.
The Office of Community Engagement and Diversity functions will provide outreach to local community based groups and volunteer organizations; coordinate countywide community events and programs which foster and promote volunteerism in Union County; reinforce strategies for building relationships with the County’s diverse communities to include culture, lifestyle, ethnicity, and race; and bring communities together on issues important to them finding creative & innovative solutions to ensure inclusion and collaboration on a multi-faceted vision for the County’s diverse communities.
