Media Release
Contact FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin C. Rabago, Sr.
(856) 451-3407
BRIDGETON AND RUTGERS GET $100K EDA GRANT TO
DO SMART FOOD TECH PLAN
Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly is all about collaboration
and partnerships to accomplish things and that strategy proved its value again
this week as Governor Phil Murphy announced that Bridgeton is one of the nine
communities selected to receive a $100,000 planning grant from the New Jersey
Economic Development Authority (EDA) as part of the Innovation Challenge pilot
project.
Launched in July, the EDA issued a Request for
Qualifications/Proposals (RFQ/P) inviting individual communities or teams of
communities to submit proposals for the planning grant which is designed as a
way to catalyze growth in the Garden State with a focus on innovation,
entrepreneurship, and sustainability. The project called for communities to
partner with a college or university as a way to leverage the strengths of
both.
In the case of Bridgeton, the strategic partnership is
with Rutgers through the Food Innovation Center and the Cumberland/Salem/Cape
May Workforce Development Board. The focus will be on developing a national
model for innovation and emerging technology for the food sector by
establishing a technology hub for the food industry cluster in Bridgeton. The
plan calls for creating a 15,000 to 20,000 square foot facility dedicated to
development, testing, and training on the latest cutting-edge technology to
make food production, processing, and packaging safer and more efficient.
According to Kelly the timing for the project, entitled “Bridgeton:
A Center for Smart Food Manufacturing”, could not have been better. “With
construction of the Food Specialization Center underway right next to the Food
Innovation Center, the timing to start the planning for a smart food technology
facility is perfect. This will allow us to do what we do best which is food”,
said Kelly.
In addition to Rutgers and the Workforce Development
Board, other supporting partners that will contribute to the project include the
Cumberland Empowerment Zone,, Cumberland County Improvement Authority, Bridgeton
Area Chamber of Commerce, Cumberland Development Corp, Cumberland County
College, Buona Vita Foods, Cumberland Dairy, Lassonde Pappas, and White Wave,
Inc. (Danone). Beyond local partners, the project will also tap into the
expertise of technology giants Emerson and Siemens.
The primary goals of the Innovation Challenge will be on
increasing the number of small businesses in the area, attracting new
employers, finding solutions based on the use of new and emerging technologies,
and ultimately executing the plans set out in the project. Given the assets
that already exist in Bridgeton and throughout the county, Kelly believes a
facility dedicated to smart food technology is a logical next step for
Bridgeton.
“One of the unique things about Cumberland County is the
way we work together and leverage our strengths to accomplish our goals in pursuing
growth and revitalization. All of the partners involved have a long history working
together as evidenced by the Food Innovation Center and the Food Specialization
Center. With this project, I am confident that we can create a food industry
hub that is unique in the country which will lead directly to more jobs and
employment opportunities for our residents “, Kelly said.
In addition to Bridgeton, the other communities selected
for a planning grant include New Brunswick, Passaic County, Trenton, Atlantic
County, Atlantic City, Camden County, Union Township, and Monmouth County.
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To
learn more about the City of Bridgeton, please visit www.cityofbridgeton.com