Township Officials Looking For Ways To Drum Up Business In Berkeley

Township officials and members of the Economic Development Committee are trying to come up with ways to lure more business into retail-poor Berkeley Township.

That includes the possibility of establishing Urban Enterprise Zone areas in Berkeley, Township Councilman John Bacchione said at the Nov. 24 Township Council meeting.

Bacchione - who ran on a platform of bringing more business to Berkeley - said the EDC is exploring UEZ zones in the township.

“They are interested to see if it’s possible,” said Bacchione, who sits on the township’s Economic Development Committee. I feel we could attract many more businesses.”

Businesses in towns designated as Urban Enterprise Zones only charge 3.5 percent sales tax on purchases, compared to 7 percent in other municipalities throughout the state.

Sam Cammarato, who also serves on the committee, said during the public portion of the meeting that earning the UEZ designation is not easy, given the economic conditions in the state.

“The state is not looking to approve any more Urban Enterprise Zones,” Cammarato said. ”If it does happen, it’s going to be a long hard road.”

Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said committee members are also trying to entice an anchor store to relocate where the old Foodtown store used to be.

“It’s a void in our community,” he said. ”Berkeley Township has very little of a commercial ratable base.”

Photo: Patch file photo of defunct Beachwood Shopping Center.