By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
OLD BRIDGE — Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno made a pit stop in Old Bridge last week as part of her “We’re in It Together” business tour.
The tour coincides with what township officials have strived for with the formation of the Old Bridge Business Alliance, which was formed to bring businesses and the community together.
“We want people to drive through and think Old Bridge,” said Steve Mamakas, executive officer of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and chairperson of the Old Bridge Business Alliance.
The alliance kicked off in October 2015, and members have met quarterly.
Mamakas said with the Route 9 corridor running through the township, it makes a prime location for businesses to find a home.
Guadagno attended the alliance’s Leadership Forum held at the Grand Marquis on Route 9 on April 14. The stop included a driving tour of Old Bridge’s business corridor with Mayor Owen Henry to highlight the economic vitality in the area.
“We have made a lot of progress in New Jersey, and this is seen through the drastic drop in unemployment over the last six years, down to 4.4 percent from 9.8 percent, now below the national average,” Guadagno said. “But there is still more work to be done and that is why I am here today. My number one priority is job creation and to do that, it is critical that I listen to what these business leaders have to say.”
Guadagno spoke of success stories business owners have shared with her.
She said she worked with Thomas Doll, president and chief operation officer of Subaru of America, who called her on a Sunday on her cell phone. After six months of working with him and his business, Subaru’s headquarters has found a new home in Camden.
“The forming of our Business Alliance is a great platform and is designed to help everyone by creating partnerships, fostering new opportunities and strengthening relationships for a better business environment through communications in our community,” Henry said. “It brings together the business community and creates public and private relationships, including with our school district, to increase positive economic growth.”