Economic Development Commission Declares Lacey Open for Business

With the sole focus of promoting Lacey and businesses within the township, the Lacey Township Economic Development Commission has begun the work it was directed to do by the Township Committee this past April.

"We have defined both short-term and long-term goals to support the economic endeavors of the residential and business interests within the township," said Barry Bendar, commission chairman.

The commission has met three times so far and members include Vice Chairman Christopher Dasti, Debra Madensky, James Spaloss, Richard Brown, George Broome and Lyle Smith.

First on the commission's list, according to Bendar,  is an inventory of all commercial sites that are currently vacant, which will be compiled by Dasti and presented on the township website. Dasti also is reaching out to both state and local economic development agencies to find out their experiences.

In the long-term, the commission plans to seek grants to help promote the township's economic growth, address the replacement of Oyster Creek with an alternate power generation source, and survey township-owned properties to see if they might be better used for other economic endeavors, Bendar said.

In the commission's official list of goals and objectives, other items include encouraging the expansion of existing businesses and attracting new economic activities to provide desired levels of commerce and employment for the existing and projected population; promoting and expanding the township's environmental resources, natural features, cultural and historic sites, events and festivals as a way to foster tourism; provide changes and enhancements through zoning to establish adequate and appropriate spaces for the establishment of commercial businesses along the Route 9/Lacey Road corridor; promote development of a planned revitalization of properties along Route 9; marketing and promoting those areas that are compatible with and accessible to existing services and transportation; and continue to seek improvement of the infrastructure to accommodate projected increases in traffic associated with new commercial development.

"The commission is working very aggressively to see how we can help the township's economic outlook in these difficult times," said Bendar.

Bendar said for the commission to be successful, it needs the input of township residents and anyone interested in getting involved should contact him at bbendar@msn.com.