Aberdeen EBC's 1st Annual Dinner Draws over 115 People from Business Community & Government

More than 115 people from Aberdeen’s business community and government, and other interested parties gathered at Piazza Di Roma on March 10 for The Aberdeen Economic Business Council’s (EBC) First Annual Dinner. The event - which drew more than double the number of guests the group originally anticipated - featured a keynote address by one of New Jersey’s up-and-coming leaders, Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop, as well as presentations by industry experts on the Affordable Care Act and Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.

During opening remarks, Carmine Visone, Chairman of the EBC for over four years and co-owner of longtime township business Home Away From Home Academy, discussed how the EBC has worked with the Aberdeen government during its first four years to make the township more business-friendly. Accomplishments to date have included new rules regarding temporary signage for grand openings and year-round promotional events; an ordinance allowing outdoor dining by township restaurants; and the announcement that evening that longtime Department of Planning & Zoning employee (and EBC member) Maxine Rescorl will now also serve in the newly created position of Business Liaison, making her the point person on a wide range of issues for existing business owners and those opening in the municipality.

Additionally, Visone pointed to the group’s work in the community, including its role in turning Aberdeen Day into an event that goes beyond the traditional afternoon celebration at the high school, with activities now running from morning to night at various venues throughout the township, as well as its sponsorship of an annual job fair that has attracted upwards of 40 employers and 400-plus job-seekers in each of its first two years. Beginning last year, the June Job Fair was shifted to the high school, where students from the school’s Business Academy work with the EBC to run the event. 

“The business community is the heart of Aberdeen Township, and we need to do everything in our power to make sure that the heart keeps beating,” Visone concluded.

Visone was followed by Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini, who recalled his efforts to urge the Township Council to create the EBC and remains the government body’s liaison to the group, regularly attending its monthly sessions. In addition to praising the group’s accomplishments, he gave the crowd an update on planned commercial/residential redevelopment projects at the train station and former Anchor Glass site, as well as the former industrial site on Church Street where a developer is working to go forward with plans for a community of affordable senior and all-ages housing.  The Mayor also thanked the Monmouth County Freeholders, State Senator Joseph Kyrillos and environmental groups for their efforts to make the long-awaited Freneau Woods county park a step closer to reality- a move that will preserve approximately 250 acres in Aberdeen’s Freneau section and adjoining parts of Marlboro and Matawan.

“The importance of local businesses to any community can never be underestimated,” said Mayor Tagliarini, who likened municipalities to a triangle, with the government, businesses and residents each working together to complete the shape.

Mayor Fulop, recently ranked tenth in NJBiz magazine’s Power 100 Ranking, outlined the significant commercial and residential growth that’s putting his municipality on pace to ultimately become the state’s largest city. He stressed the need for local government to work closely with the business community and other bodies to foster responsible development, while also being mindful of the need for recreational facilities and other amenities. To that end, he praised Aberdeen’s government for seeking that kind of balance by working with the county on the planned Freneau Woods, while also focusing on the redevelopment projects cited by Mayor Tagliarini. Following his address, the Marine Corps veteran was honored for his service during the Iraq War and presented with a pin and certificate making him a member of the Lt. Seth Dvorin Post of the Jewish War Veterans (representing Aberdeen, Marlboro and Manalapan) by longtime residents Allen Falk and Jeff Sohn.

During his presentation, Barry E. Fields, Vice President, Employee Benefits at Holmdel-based JGS Insurance, gave an overview of the Affordable care Act, the New Jersey Small Group and Individual Insurance Marketplace, as well as health care compliance and cost-savings strategies for businesses.

Rounding out the program, Steve Gussen, an East Brunswick-based SBA Specialist for PNC Bank, discussed what the Small Business Administration offers to small businesses, including multiple loan options to make borrowing easier, lower down-payment and longer repayment terms, and the many advantages that aren’t always available through conventional financing.

The evening also game members of the Aberdeen business community an opportunity to informally meet during the cocktail hour with Mayor Tagliarini and all other members of the Council, Township Manager Holly Reycraft, Police Chief John Powers, as well as EBC Members. In addition to Visone and Rescorl, the EBC is comprised of Jason Bigelow of Advanced Tire & Auto; Eugene DeMarco of DeMarco’s Italian Bakery; Steve Marcinkiewicz of PNC Bank; Bill Parness of Parness & Associates; and David Shah of Dunkin Donuts.