Office of Business Development

About the Office

Jeff Brooks
Coordinator
Office of Business Development

Union County Department of Economic Development

10 Elizabethtown Plaza
Elizabeth, NJ 07207

Jeffrey.Brooks@ucnj.org
908-659-7412

The Office of Business Development works under  the direction  and  supervision  of  the Director  of  the Division of Strategic  Planning and Intergovernmental Relations.

The functions and responsibilities of the office include:  Developing effective strategies for business attraction and retention in the County of Union; working collaboratively   with   organizations   such   as   the   Union   County   Economic Development  Corporation  (UCEDC),  local  Chambers  of  Commerce,  and  institutions  of  higher  learning to  develop  and  integrate  strategic  activities  designed  to  attract  and  retain  targeted  industry  businesses,  stimulate  job  creation  and  increase  the  capacity  of  small  businesses to remain competitive.

The Office of Business Development also coordinates a  series of educational networking  events  through the  Union  County  Means  Business initiative.

Newsletters: February 2023 | September 2022

Union County is a dynamic county comprised of 21 municipalities with a population of over 575,000 residents

Union County consists of 21 distinct municipalities that are in close proximity to NYC and offer easy access to Newark Liberty International Airport.  With its great quality of life, excellent public schools, extensive transportation network, numerous parks and open spaces, Union County is a great place to live and work.

Mentoring, Training, Incentives, Financing

Resources and Solutions
for Small Business

Union County Workforce
Development Board

New Jersey Economic
Development Authority

Small Business
Development Centers

New Jersey
Business Action Center

Networking Opportunities

Local Sessions, networking, seminars for local business and organizations in Union County

Previous Union County Means Business Events
2023 2022 2019 2018 2017 Lunch and Learn 2017 Expo 2017 Ask the Experts 2016 2015

Previous Union County Woman Means Business Events
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

Strategic Location Advantage

Union County is a dynamic county comprised of 21 municipalities with a population of over 555,000 residents

Union County is strategically located – close to one of the world’s largest markets in metropolitan New York City. Union County offers strategic advantages by it’s close proximity to the Elizabeth Marine Terminal and interstate highways for ease of transport of goods.

The Elizabeth Marine Terminal is the largest computerized deep-water shipping terminal on the East Coast and is the premier center for global trade.

Transportation

Union County has a superior transportation network for moving people and goods. Union County is well served by multiple transit networks, including rail and bus. The rail lines include:

◘ Northeast Corridor
◘ North Jersey Coast Line
◘ Raritan Valley Line
◘ Morris and Essex Line
◘ Morristown Line
◘ Gladstone Branch

Skilled Workforce

Hiring and retaining the right people is crucial to the success of your business. Union County offers a pool of educated, trained and experienced workers that have a diverse range of skills. Under the auspices of the Workforce Development Board, employers can avail themselves of subsidized training programs for new employees to defray hiring costs and find information regarding customized training grants that address the needs of business by enhancing the skills of workers, thereby increasing their productivity and the competitiveness of the employer.

About our County Structure

Union County operates under a County Manager form of government provided under the Optional County Charter Law of 1975. The Union County Board of County Commissioners is comprised of nine members elected to three-year terms with three Commissioners running for election each year. The Board appoints the County Manager to administer the day-to-day operations of county government.

50+

Independent Freight/ Trucking Companies Based in Union County

3.3

Million Containers handled Each Year in Port Elizabeth

6

Major Highways in Union County

<1 Hour

Drive Time to NYC from anywhere in Union County

Department of Economic Development

Serves as the primary resource for business, government and other organizations.

Offers technical assistance to business start-ups and businesses seeking to expand or relocate to Union County.

Assists businesses in accessing demographic and statistical information.

Provides information regarding resources for available grants and loan programs.

Provides market data and commercial real estate information.

Contact
Amy Wagner
awagner@ucnj.org

Workforce Development Board

Business led board that in partnership with the Board of County Commissioners:

Directs strategic economic and workforce development investments for employers and job seekers. Directs critical investments in employment and training programs designed to assist business find qualified workers.

Collects and analyzes Labor Market Information including latest employment statistics, demand occupations, wage data and key demographics. For businesses contemplating relocation and/or expansion, workforce information is crucial for optimal decision making.

Contact
Antonio Rivera
arivera@ucnj.org

Opportunity Zones / Investment Opportunities from the State of New Jersey

For Local Governments

The State will support communities with Opportunity Zones by utilizing the full strength and resources of the State as appropriate, to attract local partnerships that drive economic growth.

Learn More

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Opportunity Zone Residents and Stakeholders

The State will host regional community outreach seminars to engage residents and local stakeholders to ensure their participation.

Learn More

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For Businesses, Developers, and Investors

The State will develop guides and information resources to position New Jersey’s Zones as the most attractive options for investors, business owners and developers.

Learn More

25

Public Bus Routes Throughout Union county

4

Major Passenger Rail lines Serving Union county

18

Million people shop annually The Mills at Jersey Gardens

7

Major Industrial/ Office Parks in Union County

3,7k

Vessels Accommodated Annually in Port Elizabeth

Corporate Testimonials

Wakefern Food Corp.

Union County is a great place for business to grow and succeed. Since our founding in 1946, Wakefern Food Corp. has become the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the U.S. In 2014 Wakefern opened a state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Elizabeth, NJ to distribute food and products to ShopRite stores throughout the Northeast. It was an easy decision for our company to remain in Elizabeth and modernize our distribution facility. The Union County location provides us with a strategic geographic advantage, providing easy access to major highways. In addition, the County has been a great partner and has helped us with our employment needs.

Joe Sheridan
President and Chief Operating Officer, Wakefern Food Corp.

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

Specialty home goods retailer Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Union, NJ. Our Company opened its first retail store in Union County in 1971, and today we are one of the largest multi-brand retailers in the United States. Bed Bath & Beyond’s associates strive to provide our customers excellent customer service and a noticeably better shopping experience whether the customer interacts with the Company in a store, through one of our contact centers, or online. Our corporate location in Union, NJ offers us many benefits, including proximity to major universities, major cities and a broad-range of talent from the diversified workforce in the surrounding area.

Janet Barth
VP Investor Relations, Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.

APM Terminals

APM Terminals operates a Global Terminal Network of 22,615 professionals with 73 operating port facilities and 140 Inland Services operations in 69 countries around the globe, including the 350-acre APM Terminals Port Elizabeth terminal, our largest terminal facility on the US East Coast. The Port Elizabeth Marine Terminal located in Union County is the largest container port in the eastern United States and offers APM Terminals easy access to rail and interstate highways. We have announced a major new terminal investment and upgrade project at our Port Elizabeth terminal to prepare for the Ultra-Large Container Ships which will soon begin calling on the Port of New York and New Jersey with the upcoming completion of the raising of the Bayonne Bridge roadbed.

Brian E. Clark
Managing Director, APM Terminals

The Mills At Jersey Gardens

The Mills at Jersey Gardens is located in Elizabeth, NJ and is New Jersey’s largest outlet mall and value retail center with over 200 stores. The Mills at Jersey Gardens enjoys a strategic location in Union County, close to the NJ Turnpike and US Routes 1 & 9, providing easy access from midtown Manhattan and Newark Liberty International Airport. Our location in Union County is a major factor in the mall’s success. Having the benefit of an extensive transportation network, The Mills at Jersey Gardens has become a regional destination.

Denise Pallazzo
Mall Manager, The Mills at Jersey Gardens

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