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ROBBINSVILLE: Township shares in planning award

Robbinsville Township became the first municipality to win an economic development achievement award from PlansSmart NJ

By James McEvoy, Managing Editor
   NEW BRUNSWICK — Robbinsville Township became the first municipality to win an economic development achievement award from PlansSmart NJ.
   The award, according to a press release, was a result of the township’s efforts in partnering with the Matrix Development Group to create a new era of land use and development in Mercer County.
   The township sought to pursue the partnership to capitalize on its growth potential with a surplus of land and direct access to major highways including such as I-195, I-295, the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 130.
   At the Heldrich Hotel on Nov. 14, PlanSmart NJ presented its 2013 Economic Development Achievement Award to Mayor Dave Fried, Robbinsville Township and Matrix at the organization’s 45th annual awards dinner.
   Robbinsville was recognized for its vision and determination, which resulted in luring Fortune 500 companies such as Internet commerce giant Amazon.com and McKesson Corp. to the township and Matrix over the past 13 months, per the release.
   The shared award was presented by Matrix Development Group senior vice president Richard Johnson and accepted by Mayor Fried, along with Alec Taylor and Ken Griffin of Matrix.
   Township Council members Ron Witt, Sheree McGowan and Christine Ciaccio also were on hand for the presentation.
   ”This is an incredible honor and we are truly humbled,” Mayor Fried said. “While the deal with Amazon is an enormous win for our town, we are equally proud of the overall economic development plan that has resulted in the growth we have seen in the township over the past four years.
   ”We certainly could not have done any of this without Matrix, and we want to thank them for being such a great partner and working so closely with us on all of these projects, including Amazon, McKesson, Grainger, Mercedes Benz, McMaster-Carr, Sleepy’s and many, many others,” he added.
   Robbinsville is the first municipality to be honored with the Economic Development Achievement Award since the inception of the category in 2007.
   Matrix has leased over 10 million square feet of space at the Northeast Business Park at 7A and the Matrix Business Park at 7A, and according to PlanSmart NJ has had an estimated economic impact of $700 million.
   The redevelopment plan and PILOT program implemented by Matrix and the township has been the ultimate “win-win” with the creation of jobs, ratables and revenue for the township, its schools and Mercer County, along with the development of previously unused and contaminated land.
   ”Recessions such as the one which began in 2008 will always end and you have to be ready when it recovers,” Mayor Fried said. “We were ready.”
   The Economic Development Achievement Award recognizes those that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting economic development in a way that is respectful of the principles of smart growth. Smart growth is defined as improving the regional economic base, whether for an urban, suburban or rural area; connecting jobs to housing and transportation; promoting growth in areas where infrastructure is planned or already exists; and promotes opportunities for all New Jersey residents.
   ”We have an incredible staff, led by Business Administrator Joy Tozzi and Economic and Community Development Director Tim McGough and his team, which does an amazing job of bringing in projects on time and on budget,” Mayor Fried said. “We want congratulate all of the 2013 award winners and thank PlanSmart NJ for all they do for our state and for this much appreciated award.”
   —“”—’’PlanSmart NJ is an independent, non-profit planning and research organization committed to improving the quality of community life through the advancement of sound land-use planning and regional cooperation.