County will host summit on economic development

FREEHOLD - Monmouth County's first Economic Development Summit will be held on Sept. 29 at Branches in West Long Branch, beginning at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast followed by guest speakers and panels devoted to finding ways to grow the local economy and keep jobs and businesses in Monmouth County.

The event is free.

"This exciting event is bringing together all of our top business, government and civic leaders in a setting where issues ranging from employee relocation to attracting new jobs and businesses to Monmouth County can be fully explored," said Freeholder Anna C. Little, who is working with the county's Department of Economic Development and Tourism to coordinate the economic summit.

According to a press release, with the dot.com crash, the events of Sept. 11, increasingly restrictive state laws, environmental regulation and the pending closure of Fort Monmouth, Little said there is a pressing need for county officials to work proactively to make sure jobs are available in Monmouth County.

"Many of the forces changing the economic landscape in Monmouth County give very little to no warning," she said. "In the case of Fort Monmouth, we are fortunate to have some advance warning. As we react to forces already affecting our economy, it makes sense to take the eventual closure of Fort Monmouth into consideration, too, and create a sustainable economic development plan for the county."

"Monmouth County's workforce is among the best educated and most experienced and diverse," said Beatrice Duffy, director of the county's Depart-ment of Economic Development and Tourism.

"They create and produce some of the most advanced medical, computer and communications products in the world. The challenge we face today is to find ways to keep them here," Duffy said.

Issues to be discussed by a six-member panel include the county's economic strength and the possible consequences of the fort's closure, the aspects of a marketing program to protect the workforce and the opportunities for future growth, Little said.

James Hughes, dean of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, is guest speaker. Hughes is an economist and author who specializes in New Jersey's economy.

"We need to create an effective program to preserve high-paying jobs, but also to attract new ones," Little said. "Monmouth County has a lot to offer. We want business decision-makers everywhere to give us a close look then locate, expand or remain here."

Branches is at 123 Monmouth Road, West Long Branch. For more information call the Department of Economic Development and Tourism at (732) 431-7470.