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Politics & Government

Committee's Business Is Supporting Local Businesses

At their April meeting, members of the Lawrence Township Growth and Redevelopment Committee talked about their annual awards program honoring a new local business, as well as the Special Olympic games that will be played in Mercer County in 2014.

The committee’s annual awards program and the national Special Olympics games that will be played in Mercer County in a few years were among the topics discussed by members of the Lawrence Township Growth and Redevelopment Committee during their meeting on April 12 at the township municipal building.

“Every year we have a ceremony in October to honor new local businesses,” said Christopher Bobbitt, committee chairman.

Committee members were asked to suggest potential speakers for the event.

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“In the past we’ve had people in real estate talk,” Bobbitt said.

Committee member Charles Lavine recommended Marc Edenzon, president of Special Olympics New Jersey, explaining it would fit in nicely with the committee’s mission to promote local business, particularly with the Special Olympics national games coming to New Jersey in June 2014.

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Special Olympics New Jersey’s sports complex on Princess Road in Lawrence will be used to train athletes who will be competing in the event, according to Lavine.

While the opening ceremonies for the 2014 Special Olympics will be held at the Prudential Center in Newark, the actual games will be played at Rider University, The College of New Jersey, Princeton University, Mercer County Park and elsewhere.

Committee members also touched on the business survey they recently completed, which helped to pinpoint concerns local business owners had.

“Area businesses are interested in improved bus transportation,” committee vice chairman Ryan Kennedy said.

One of the new changes that will soon be seen at all bus stops is a posted schedule, according to township Councilman Michael Powers, who serves as the council’s liaison to the Growth and Redevelopment Committee.

“You’ll know what time the bus is scheduled to come. And it encourages public transportation,” Powers said.

Another effort the committee is still pursuing is welcoming new businesses to the community.

“We want to start writing to welcome new businesses, but there are none,” Bobbitt said. “Maybe we can catch up with [existing] businesses.”

“It’s important to let business folks know we have this committee,” Powers explained.

The next Growth and Redevelopment Committee meeting is scheduled for May 10.

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