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Union County
Goals and Objectives
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The major purpose of an Overall Economic Development Program is to outline the initiatives, projects and plan of action that will enable Union County to reverse economic decline, achieve economic growth, provide job opportunities and create a business climate conducive to private sector investment in the County. |
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THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT |
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The mission of the Department of Economic Development is to develop and implement an Economic Development Plan for Union County. This Plan will address major public policy issues to adapt to a changing global economy and markets, the development and needs of new job skills and labor markets, and the revitalization and maintenance of the existing commercial and industrial base and facilities structure within the County. This plan includes both long-term goals and short-term accomplishments which are designed to establish Union County as a beneficial place to conduct business. In addition, the Department works to promote community economic development which reaches beyond job and income creation to include broad quality of life factors for all community members. In order to assist the development of quality of life issues, the Department continues to coordinate, promote, and encourage programs which enhance the amenities offered by County and local governments. |
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THE UNION COUNTY MASTER PLAN |
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The Draft County Master Plan has identified goals and objectives in four distinct areas:
- Housing
- Development
- Transportation/Circulation
- Economic Development
In the Housing area the defined objective is "the provision of a broad range of housing opportunities for all income levels and household types…." This objective is to be achieved by achieving the following objectives:
- Promoting continued construction of new housing stock, whether single family or multi family,
- Encouraging zoning appropriate for housing of all types,
- Encouraging the rehabilitation of vacant housing,
- Encouraging the expansion of existing public, non-profit and low-income and senior housing, and
- Encourage programs to promote the maintenance and rehabilitation of housing across the County.
The goal of Development activities is to direct "new growth to environmentally suitable areas which can be provided with essential infrastructure and support facilities" and "to revitalize the urban centers within the County." This objective is to be met by:
- Identifying land areas suitable for development,
- Identifying environmentally sensitive land areas,
- Promoting development consistent with existing uses,
- Promoting the revitalization of urban centers and older suburban areas through adaptive reuse, cleanup, infrastructure upgrading and improved transportation, and
- Continued expansion and development of recreational facilities.
The Transportation/Circulation goal is "the development of an improved and balanced multi-modal transportation system." This goal is to be met by:
- Developing and maintaining the County highway system,
- Upgrading existing roads where applicable,
- Supporting transportation programs related to improved air quality,
- Support and sustain regional ground transit services,
- Encourage the development of mass transit support facilities,
- Enhance the bus transportation system,
- Support the retention and rehabilitation of rail service,
- Promote inter-modal passenger and freight movements,
- Support the growth of Newark International Airport, and
- Support efforts to improve deep-sea transport.
The goal for Economic Development is to continue "efforts to reduce unemployment, provide year-round employment opportunities and enhance the tax base by encouraging compatible industrial, commercial, office and retail facilities to locate or expand in Union County." To achieve this objective the Master Plan draft puts forward the following objectives:
- Support partnerships among economic development organizations,
- Assist in the development of industrial parks and other infrastructure,
- Encourage the expansion or location of firms in the County,
- Maintain relations with federal, state, regional and municipal economic development organizations, and
- Conduct or promote feasibility and technical studies on economic development issues.
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THE UNION COUNTY ALLIANCE |
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The Union County Alliance developed a Strategic Plan for the County. It includes eight goals as follows:
Goal 1: Concentrate Resources on Business Expansion and Retention as well as the Attraction of New Business by strengthening the business environment and improving land use planning; modernizing the County transport system; strengthening workforce education and training; improving public safety; improving small business access to credit resources and assistance in dealing with regulators; developing a County marketing plan; and assessing technological needs and opportunities.
Goal 2: Recapture Expanded Purchasing Power and Retain a Greater Share of Retail Spending in Union County by revitalizing municipal downtown shopping areas and establishing discount centers to attract out-of-country and out-of-state shoppers.
Goal 3: Enhance Communication and Coordination among Municipalities and within the County by identifying the potential for shared services to reduce costs and improve municipal service delivery; and improving communication and coordination between county and municipal planning boards, and among business associations and economic development corporations.
Goal 4: Ensure a Sustainable and Healthy Environment by encouraging balanced and sustainable growth policies.
Goal 5: Ensure an Adequate Housing Base for All Union County Residents by providing housing suitable for varied residential needs.
Goal 6: Retain and Enhance Union County’s Quality of Life and Cultural Resources by improving and coordinating quality of life planning; including cultural, environmental and recreational affairs.
Goal 7: Improve Health Care in Union County by promoting good health behavior among County residents and providing a high quality, cost effective and accessible health care system, a full assessment of health care organizations, the compilation of a directory of County health services, and improve the coordination of services by County health care providers.
Goal 8: Improve Human Services in Union County by redesigning the human services system to maximize: resources available through an assessment of all human services (public, private, non-private), an accessible information directory of services, and establishment of a Technical Assistance Center for consumer (client) businesses.
The Alliance has organized these goals into three phases and defined specific objectives and strategies for each. |
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