FREEHOLD – Growth east of the Garden State Parkway and how to best manage it will be the topic of a discussion beginning at the upcoming Fifth Wednesday Squires Luncheon, sponsored by the Monmouth County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
The public is invited to attend the luncheon, scheduled Jan. 31 at noon at Branches, 123 Monmouth Road, West Long Branch. Tickets are $30 and include lunch of broiled tilapia or stuffed chicken breast.
The guest speaker will be Joseph M. Barris of the Monmouth County Planning Board. The topic is the Coastal Monmouth Plan, a two-year study conducted by Barris and the Planning Board that aims to identify current and future regional needs and possible solutions in some 30 Monmouth County towns. The study is fully funded through a Smart Futures Grant from the Office of Smart Growth. Target date for completion of the plan is January 2008.
“The county will be working with municipal leaders and stakeholders to develop a bottoms-up plan to address the future needs of these towns,” Freeholder Anna Little, the Economic Development and Tourism liaison, said in a press release. “Economic development is a vital part of this plan and will define areas for main streets, mixed-use development and opportunities for new business ventures.”
“Joe Barris’ work is extremely important to residents and businesses because it will provide the tools necessary to foster growth while protecting the county’s assets,” department director Bea Duffy said. “Residents and business owners need to know there will be adequate resources and controls to keep Monmouth County the wonderful place that it is.”
Arthur Chasey, the department’s assistant director, said the Coastal Monmouth Plan is one of a series of plans meant to help municipalities cope with long-range planning. The Planning Board divided the county into quadrants, with a plan for each section.
More information can be obtained by calling the department at (732) 431-7479.