Politics & Government

County Wants to Grow Monmouth

New business initiative to help spur county job growth

County officials have announced a new campaign aimed at retaining and expanding Monmouth County business and encouraging job growth.

The “Grow Monmouth’’ initiative, spearheaded by the county Office of Economic Development, will focus on assisting small and mid-sized businesses with job growth potential. The campaign was announced at the county Freeholder’s meeting on Aug. 11.

“Grow Monmouth is a long-term, community-wide initiative to ensure the economic health of Monmouth County,” said John Ciufo, of the county’s economic development office.

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Ciufo, along with Amy Fitzgerald, director of economic and workforce development, presented Grow Monmouth’s three-stage plan, involving setting up a committee of business and community leaders, promotion and engaging businesses.

Fitzgerald said the Grow Monmouth campaign would also aim at creating a more business-friendly environment at the municipal level with seminars and information sessions and would focus on building partnerships with state and regional business development offices to meet goals of expanded business and job growth.

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“Ninety percent of the complaints I get from the business community in Monmouth County is that they’re having a difficult time locally with permitting, with getting in front of the planning boards, things like that,” Fitzgerald said.

Freeholder Thomas Arnone noted that Monmouth hasn’t been immune to the national economic downturn.

“The only way we’re going to create jobs is by creating and enhancing businesses in Monmouth County,” Arnone said.


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