Freeholders & SCBP Annaounce Economic Recovery Website Initiative

The Somerset County COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force, a collaboration of the Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Somerset County Business Partnership, announced today the availability of a new website with tools to assist local businesses with reopening and expanding during the pandemic.

“When we initated the Economic Recovery Task Force in the spring, it was an ambitious effort made up of the Business Partnership, Somerset County Government, and local business leaders to adress this unprecedented pandemic,” said Freeholder Director Shanel Robinson, a Task Force Founder. “With the release of the initial plan, then the Open for Business Map, and now the website initiative we are working together to ensure Somerset County recovers and thrives in the coming years.”

The Task Force initiative is intended to benefit businesses, residents, and visitors by accelerating economic recovery and adaptation, increase public safety, further economic policies, and capitalize on “next normal” opportunities. The Somerset County Economic Recovery site, available at SomersetNJEconomicRecovery.com, provides links to resources for businesses, the Task Force’s July Report, and contact forms for businesses seeking assistance in navigating the COVID-19 recovery.

“The web site provides resources for business as we look toward the ‘new normal,’” commented Chris Edwards, President/CEO of the Business Partnership. “As we emerge from these difficult times, hopefully our efforts will help businesses to thrive.”

Begun in April of 2020, the Somerset County, NJ COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force researched and reported strategies to address the impacts COVID-19 has had on the economy and present details on focus areas and recommendations to ensure a positive impact as Somerset County emerges from the pandemic.

Task Force goals include • Accelerate economic recovery • Promote County benefits • Create a business accelerator • Attract the Next-Gen work force • Create synergies with local organizations • Connect raining and education with new industrial growth • Re-purpose buildings • Engage academic institutions • Re-imagine downtowns and • Help businesses transform.

“Working with the Business Partnership and local business leaders, we have developed a resource that we are certain will help keep the economy of Somerset County moving forward,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Sara Sooy, a Task Force founder. “We are making sure that Somerset County remains New Jersey’s model for proactive initiatives supporting businesses and residents.”

The Task Force report is available at https://4844qn3gn81674bfw3yu6ur1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Economic-Recovery-Task-Force-Report.pdf.

For information, call 908-218-4300 or email info@scbp.org.