We’ll Come to You! Lt. Gov. Gaudagno and Gov’t. Agencies Gather in Lakewood
Despite continuous rainstorms, more than 150 people gathered in the auditorium of the Strand Theater, Lakewood, this week to hear Lt. Governor Kim Gaudagno speak about the state of business in New Jersey and learn first-hand from representatives of New Jersey government agencies what resources they could provide to help the growth and development of small businesses.
After the initial presentations, business owners were able to speak directly to agency representatives about their programs and incentives:
BusinessActionCenter – Michael Van Wagner and Liz McKay
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) – Harris Friedberg
Department of Labor and Workforce Development – Lucille Brown
Board of Public Utilities – Gary Finger
Division of Taxation (Treasury) – Linda Hickey
Division of Revenue (Treasury) – Darryl Ceremsak
Division of Purchase and Property (Treasury) – Bob Beauregard
Division of Insurance (Banking and Insurance) – Ellen DeRosa
The State Library – Jennifer Podolsky
Department of Environmental Protection – Scott Brubaker
N.J. Small Business Development Center for Monmouth/Ocean– Jackeline Mejias-
Fuertes
N.J. Business Incubation Network – Suzanne Zammit
Small Business Administration – Sheryl Paynter
UCEDC – Jamie Mitchell
Patricia Komsa, the executive director, of the UEZ, said, “We have had excellent feedback about the meaningful opportunity our businesses had to meet one-on-one with local and state agencies.”
Lisa Skinner, co-owner of Aggressive Property Maintenance, said, “I am glad that I had the opportunity to attend. I thought that the event was very informative and successful. What I truly appreciated is that I left knowing more than I came in with. The information that was shared with us was very helpful and I look forward to utilizing the available resources.”
Lakewood Attorney Abraham Penzer, said, “Out of all the conferences I attended, this one was the most practical, most useful and a real tool. I feel in the arsenal of doing business we have advanced light years.”
The Lakewood Development Corporation (LDC), the administrative arm of the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), and the New Jersey State’s Business Action Center (BAC) presented “N.J. Resources for Business Growth” followed by one-on-one business-to-business networking,
This event was open to the public at no charge. To find out about UEZ programs and seminars, call Patricia Komsa at 732-364-2500 x5257 or pkomsa@lakewoodnj.gov All businesses are always welcome to all workshops whether or not they are participating in a UEZ program.
About the UEZ: The Urban Enterprise Zone program was designed to foster economic growth to revitalize and stimulate designated urban communities. The program encourages businesses to create private-sector jobs though public and private investment.
More than 8,000 businesses throughout the state and more than 500 businesses in Lakewood benefit from tax and financial incentives. Personnel from the Lakewood UEZ are available to discuss program eligibility and answer questions.