October 26, 2009

NJAC ANNOUNCES CONFERENCE ON PORTS, RAILS, HIGHWAYS AND TRADE

Heads of major agencies to discuss travel and trade, state's place in international economy

TRENTON – The New Jersey Association of Counties announced today that it will convene a one-day conference in December to discuss the state’s integrated transportation system and its importance to local communities and world markets.

“People take for granted the airports, seaports, highways and rail systems,” said Celeste Carpiano, executive director of the organization. “But these assets have a value far beyond transportation. They are the source of tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in revenue.”

The NJAC Conference, this year on December 11 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Jamesburg, NJ, will feature the New York and New Jersey Port Authority; the Delaware River Port Authority; the New Jersey Turnpike Authority; the New Jersey Transit rail system; the New Jersey Department of Transportation; and the NJ Economic Development Authority.

“These agencies are planning to spend billions of dollars on capital projects in the coming years that will expand New Jersey’s role in the world economy,” said Carpiano. “That means opportunities for thousands of New Jersey residents. It’s a good story that doesn’t get enough attention in this difficult environment.”

Invited to speak at the event are Governor Jon Corzine, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, Congressman Bill Pascrell and Port Authority Chairman Tony Coscia. The centerpiece of the day will be a panel discussion by the heads of the major transportation and economic planning agencies, including: Susan Bass Levin, Deputy Executive Director of the NY & NJ Port Authority; John Matheussen, CEO of the Delaware River Port Authority; Dianne Gutierrez-Scaccetti, Executive Director of the Turnpike Authority; Stephen Dilts, NJ Transportation Commissioner; Richard Sarles, Executive Director of NJ Transit; and Caren Franzini, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

“This is going to be one of the most informative sessions we’ve had for our members and an opportunity for everyone with an interest in the economy to get a glimpse of the future,” said Carpiano.

For more information on the New Jersey Association of Counties, visit the NJAC website at www.njac.org, or call the office at 609-394-3467.