30th Annual Construction Forecast

Jun 8
3 min read

On Friday, June 5th, the Southern New Jersey Development Council hosted its 30th Annual Construction Forecast at Stockton University, bringing together leaders from construction, development, labor, education, government, finance, infrastructure, and economic development to discuss major projects and investment opportunities shaping the future of South Jersey.

Presented by TD, the annual program highlighted construction trends, regional market conditions, public and private development opportunities, and key infrastructure investments across the region.

Robert Curley, Regional President of the Mid-Atlantic Metro for TD, provided the South Jersey market economic update, offering perspective on the broader economic and financial conditions impacting development throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Infrastructure and manufacturing investment remains one of New Jersey’s largest economic drivers, creating a ripple effect of job generation and innovation. "Despite the noise around inflation, interest rates, tariffs and labor shortages, I believe New Jersey remains one of the strongest, most strategically positioned economies in the country."

The program’s “Coming Attractions” presentations, moderated by Mike Hagarty of the Camden County Improvement Authority, showcased a wide range of transformative projects and investment activity throughout the region. Presenters included Joe Campbell, Vice Chancellor for Facilities, Planning & Operations at Rowan University; Chris Perks, Director of Engineering for the South Jersey Port Corporation; Lance Landgraf, Director of Planning & Development at the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority; Jerry Velazquez, President & CEO of The Authority; and John Kissling, Web Director at Hopeworks, joined by Camden County Commissioner Jeff Nash.

Rowan University outlined major ongoing and upcoming projects across its campuses, including the West Campus Development Project, a multi-phase initiative centered on health care, wellness, and advanced manufacturing. The project carries an estimated total cost of $690 million and is projected to generate more than 4,170 construction jobs, more than 900 permanent jobs, and approximately $14.3 million in annual tax revenue.

South Jersey Port Corporation highlighted its role in supporting regional economic growth through deepwater port facilities in Camden, Paulsboro, and Salem, as well as its continued capital investment strategy. The presentation highlighted more than $132 million in total investments across facilities, along with efforts to modernize operations, diversify cargo, strengthen workforce training, and advance sustainability initiatives.

The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority showcased Atlantic City’s growing residential development pipeline, including approved and planned projects such as Lighthouse Row, Residences at the Orange Loop, Terraces at Absecon Inlet, AC Inlet Partners, Caspian Pointe, and Colosseo Atlantic City. These projects reflect continued momentum in residential investment and redevelopment throughout the city.

The Authority highlighted its ongoing regional economic development work, including 96 projects, totaling more than $662 million in project investment and delivering 5,100 jobs. The presentation featured school expansions, public safety facilities, broadband infrastructure, renewable energy, land bank redevelopment, and municipal partnership projects across Cumberland, Salem, and Cape May counties.

Hopeworks and Camden County presented their Camden 3D Urban Visualization Project, an innovative digital twin platform designed to support economic development, planning, storytelling, and community engagement as part of their Camden Master Plan by providing a new way to visualize investment and redevelopment opportunities in Camden. They highlighted Camden’s ongoing revitalization into one of South Jersey’s prime economic hubs.

The event concluded with a keynote address from Evan Weiss, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Weiss discussed statewide economic development priorities and the role of infrastructure, public finance, redevelopment, and strategic investment in advancing New Jersey’s long-term competitiveness. This year’s program reflected the strength of our region’s construction and development sectors, as well as the importance of continued investment in infrastructure, higher education, ports, housing, technology, and economic growth.