SNJDC's Economic Development Committee Meeting

The Southern New Jersey Development Council’s Economic Development Committee convened virtually on Wednesday, November 12th, 2025, for a discussion spotlighting major industrial projects and state-led initiatives shaping the region’s economic future.

Ethan Byler, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer of Stanker and Galletto, opened the session with an overview of the firm’s nearly 80 years of work driving development across South Jersey. He shared updates on several transformative projects, including the Sika mortar manufacturing facility in Upper Deerfield Township, Maestri D’Italia’s new food processing plant in Vineland, and the Dairy Farmers of America cold storage expansion. Byler emphasized Cumberland County’s competitive advantages of ample industrial land, strong infrastructure, and skilled labor as keys to attracting and retaining advanced manufacturing investment.

Following Ethan, Tim Rollender, Director of Strategic Innovation Initiatives at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) provided an update on the state’s Strategic Innovation Centers (SICs). These public-private partnerships connect higher education and industry to accelerate research, commercialization, and job creation in sectors such as aerospace, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and life sciences. Rollender highlighted several South Jersey projects, including the Atlantic County Aerospace Center at NARTP, the Coriell Life Sciences Innovation Center in Camden, and Rowan University’s MedTech Accelerator with Cooper University Health.

The session, led by Committee Co-Chair Sam Leone of Fox Trail Development, concluded with an open Q&A session and discussion on emerging development opportunities.

VIEW THE EVENT SLIDES:

NJEDA SIC Overview Deck.pdf

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