“Beyond the Boardwalk: Regional Opportunities for Business and Growth in a Changing Economy”

An Atlantic County economic forum, “Beyond the Boardwalk: Regional Opportunities for Business and Growth in a Changing Economy” will take place on Wednesday, October 19 at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Campus Center Theater, Galloway Township.  Registration and a continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 AM. The program will be from 9 AM to 12 noon. Joel Naroff, an award winning economist who was recently selected as the 2011 National Association for Business Economics most accurate economic forecaster, will be the keynote speaker.   According to County Executive Dennis Levinson, the purpose of the forum is to highlight opportunities to broaden and diversify the economic base of Atlantic County by building upon local assets and emerging opportunities in the areas of  aviation research, health care, health research and education.  “The era of easy growth is over,” stated Levinson. “Atlantic County’s economy is now at a turning point where coordinated, aggressive economic development is essential to our future. We have opportunities, but we will have to work to make sure they come to fruition. This forum is an important step in developing a new way of doing things in an age of low growth and tight money.” The forum is a cooperative effort of Atlantic County government, the Greater Atlantic City Chamber Business Advocacy Committee, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Atlantic Cape Community College and the Atlantic Cape May Workforce investment Board. Topics of discussion will include: Economic Transformation through Aviation Research with Larry Williams, former director of the FAA Wm. J. Hughes Technical Center and aviation consultant; Health Care as an Economic Development Resource presented by Ira Peezick, Vice President of Strategic Planning, AtlantiCare; Financing Economic Development in an Era of Fiscal Austerity with Tim Lizura, Sr. Vice President, Finance and Development, NJEDA; Workforce Training in an Uncertain Economy with Dr. Cynthia Sosnowski, Associate Dean, Stockton College School of Graduate and Continuing Studies; and Organizing for Economic Development: Community Development Corporations presented by Ken Calemmo, past president, Greater Atlantic City Chamber.                                                                                                     Joe Kelly, President of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, noted that much attention has already been focused on doing what needs to be done to strengthen and revitalize Atlantic City to meet the demands of a new, more competitive era.   “With creation of the new tourism district and a reorganized CRDA with greater development responsibility, things are now headed in the right direction. However, the time has come to broaden the local economy and for the chamber to play a greater role in regional economic development. That will be the focus of this conference,” Kelly said. The cost to attend the forum is $15.00.  To register visit www.atlanticcountyforum.org or for more information call Howard J. Kyle at (609) 343-2223.