Writer: Joshua Andino
2 min read February 2023 — The South Jersey business community came together at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill for the first in-person Invest: South Jersey Launch Conference, with more than 200 industry leaders attending the networking session and panel discussions.
In his opening remarks at the event, City of Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen provided an overview of the current economic climate and investments made that were driving Camden’s growth moving forward, highlighting the investments in public safety, infrastructure, housing, and most importantly, the people that make up the community.
“We’re seeing so much improvement citywide. We’ve demolished over 300 vacant houses and for the first time in decades completed critical infrastructure… Our city finances are solid and getting even stronger. Our city is now looked at as a sound investment” said Mayor Carstarphen. “The biggest investment we make is investing in people… I can’t say enough about the momentum we had in 2022,” he added.
The changing jobs landscape, workforce development, and ongoing market uncertainty were key themes discussed throughout the event’s two panel discussions.
The first panel, ‘Talent Pipeline: How collaboration among educational institutions and business community can transform future workforce,’ featured speakers Frederick Keating, president of Rowan College South Jersey; Dr. Anthony Lowman, professor, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs of Rowan University; Thomas Edison State University’s President Merodie Hancock; and Phillip Heath, president and CEO of Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice. The panel was moderated by the Rutgers Camden Business School Dean Monica Adya. The speakers agreed, the evolution of higher education would be an ongoing necessity, with Hancock saying, “For us to get in sync with students going through the workforce, higher ed is going to have to change.”
The second panel, ‘Money on the Move: A look at what investors need to do in an evolving economic landscape and how banks and financial institutions can help,’ was moderated by Capital Analytics Regional Editor for the North Ryan Gandolfo, and included speakers Albert Fox, managing director of Fox, Penberthy & Dehn at Morgan Stanley; OceanFirst Bank New Jersey Region President George Destafney; and TD Bank Southern New Jersey and Coastal Market President Gregory Carlisle. Market uncertainty would persist for the foreseeable future, driven in part by both labor participation and a more hawkish Federal Reserve, with Fox telling the audience, “Don’t fight the Fed.”
The closing remarks were provided by Congressman Donald Norcross, who stated, “As a lifelong resident, it’s been remarkable to see the progress we’ve made, together. It hasn’t been easy… but we came through it together. Through hard work, community engagement, and leadership from every level of government, we’ve come together to make South Jersey stronger, and an economic engine for the state and the region.”
Ending the conference was Capital Analytics’ Senior Executive Director Josh Greenberg, who thanked the crowd and the publication’s participants for their support, critical insights into the local market and the strength of the local business community
For more information, visit: https://capitalanalyticsassociates.com/
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About Capital Analytics & Invest: South Jersey 2022-2023
Capital Analytics is an integrated media platform that produces in-depth business intelligence through its annual print and digital economic reviews, high-impact conferences and events and top-level interviews via its video platform, Invest:Insights.
The Invest: South Jersey 2022-2023 report provides an in-depth look at what makes the region’s economy tick and the challenges that remain from the perspective of over 150 local leaders and elected officials.
The steady supply of a well-educated workforce along with the strong, collaborative environment among academic communities, state and local government and private industry have bolstered South Jersey and have made the region a growing landing point for businesses and residents alike.
Invest: South Jersey looks at the region’s key industries, including financial services, real estate, technology, higher education, and infrastructure, that drive the local economy. South Jersey has enjoyed steady growth and economic expansion in recent years, fuelled by the region’s ample land availability, world-class educational institutions, and statewide efforts to drive investment into the region. Based on this solid foundation, the region is poised to continue its robust growth in the years to come.
For more information, contact:
Ryan Gandolfo
Regional Editor
305-523-9708 Ext: 264
