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Economic Development
Highland Park 's economic development activities are coordinated through Main Street Highland Park, an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that manages the borough’s business improvement district. Among the varied programs in which Main Street has a role are these:
- Facade Improvement Program: A combination grant/loan program to improve the appearance and structural integrity of downtown commercial buildings. As of mid-2005, more than three dozen projects have been completed, representing over $2 million in private investment in the downtown commercial district. The first of its kind in Middlesex County, the program has become a model for other such programs across the state.
- Business Attraction and Retention: Conducts market research, including a shoppers’ survey in 2002 and 2004, to gather vital consumer preference data for the benefit of existing and prospective new businesses. Provides training and technical assistance to downtown businesses with free one-on-one consulting and training seminars.
- Business Assistance and Recruitment: Prospective new businesses and existing businesses can get a hand in finding available space, obtaining permits, and making improvements. Demographics, site-location specs and other pertinent data are available.
- Community and Business Development Activities: Collaborates with the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce and other civic groups on various projects and signature town events, including the annual Highland Park Chamber of Commerce Downtown Street Fair & Craft Show every spring, the summertime "Random Acts of Fun" downtown block parties geared to spur late-night shopping, the "Arts in the Park" Highland Park Arts Festival, the "Autumn in the Park" Downtown Harvest Festival, and co-operative advertising and marketing programs for Highland Park merchants. Main Street Highland Park also runs the Downtown Highland Park Farmers' Market (Fridays, June through November), which has blossomed into one of the largest farmers' markets in the Garden State.
Contact:
Another agent of economic development is the Neighborhood Preservation Program, which is an arm of the Borough of Highland Park. NPP is a Community Development and Housing Rehabilitation project that serves the Orchard Heights neighborhood. A variety of grants secured through NPP allow property owners to receive funding for essential repairs to their homes and/or businesses. Grants vary depending on household income levels and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible repairs include, but are not confined to, sidewalks and curbs, windows, electrical, roofs, foundations, and siding and painting. NPP also works to create and carry out community programs aimed at improving the quality of life for Orchard Heights residents. This includes involvement with the Orchard Heights Neighborhood Association which has been expressed through community block parties, graffiti clean-up, and improvements to Karsey Street Park.
Contact:
- Darrick Green, Coordinator, Neighborhood Preservation Program, dgreen@hpboro.com or 732-819-3796.
The County of Middlesex provides additional economic development opportunities.
Middlesex County Improvement Authority
Through its bonding authority, the MCIA finances major infrastructure improvements. The authority also finances cooperative lease-purchases for municipalities, saving local taxpayers millions of dollars in interest rates. This helps Middlesex County municipalities buy equipment--like police cars, ambulances, computers and dump trucks--and launch their own improvement initiatives at a much lower cost. In addition, the authority performs technical reviews and engages in legal negotiations for the Middlesex County Open Space Trust, which purchases property needed to protect our endangered woodlands and wetlands and increase the size of our parks and recreation areas.
Middlesex County Office of Economic Development
Acts as a liaison between business, government and other organizations that have impact on economic development in Middlesex County. Serving as the primary contact agency for businesses seeking assistance within the county, the department acts as a clearinghouse for local, county, state and federal assistance programs and services. Assistance programs include skills training, market research and small-business consulting.
Highland Park Borough’s
Economic Profile at a Glance |
Number |
Percent |
U.S. |
In labor force (population 16 years and over) |
7,853 |
69.5 |
63.9% |
Mean travel time to work in minutes (population 16 years and older) |
28.1 |
(X) |
25.5 |
Median household income (dollars) |
53,250 |
(X) |
41,994 |
Median family income (dollars) |
71,267 |
(X) |
50,046 |
Per capita income (dollars) |
28,767 |
(X) |
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| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 |
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