MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J. – April 8, 2021 – Mayor Stephen Dalina announced today that he is proposing the creation of a Monroe Township Economic Development Advisory Board and will work with Township Council to move this forward. The purpose of the advisory board is to promote economic growth and job creation by aligning local business leaders with elected officials to maximize the talents of the community and its workforce. The Mayor will present an ordinance establishing this advisory board to the Township Council for introduction at its May 3rd meeting.
“We want to work collaboratively with Monroe’s business leaders to attract businesses that will add to the Township’s already strong and diverse economic community. It also important for all of us to support existing local businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic,” said Mayor Stephen Dalina. “This initiative will dovetail with our Master Plan efforts – where the Township is exploring appropriate plans for all types of land use, particularly commercial activity. Of course, new business opportunities in the Township lead to property tax relief, from non-residential tax revenue, and that’s a win for everyone.”
According to the Mayor’s vision, the Economic Development Advisory Board will formulate and recommend policies and programs to the Township Council that encourage desirable new businesses to establish roots in Monroe while providing valuable resources to existing Monroe businesses. The Board also will study challenges faced by commercial enterprises in similar communities and propose potential solutions.
New Jersey once again leads the nation in the spread of the virus as statewide hospitalizations surpassed 2,000 for the first time in nearly a month. Cases are once again rising in the state despite 3.6 million vaccine doses administered to residents — including nearly 1.3 million people who have been fully vaccinated as of Tuesday night. Governor Murphy cautioned residents to continue to take the virus seriously. “As I have said, repeatedly, the presence of vaccines does not mean the pandemic is over,” the governor said at a recent press briefing. NJ Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli added, “These sustained increases of hospitalizations and COVID activity demonstrate that we are definitely in another wave of this virus.” 
According to the Middlesex County Office of Health Services, 47 percent of adults in Monroe Township have had their first vaccine and 26 percent have been fully vaccinated as of March 24, 2021. Monroe Township ranked third in the county for number of residents vaccinated. Mayor Dalina and Township Council will keep fighting to make sure all residents have access to the vaccine and to make sure the homebound are served by the state program. The Vaccine Angels program continues to be a tremendous tool for getting appointments for residents who need assistance. If you or someone you know qualifies for the vaccine and has limited access to technology or family support, call the Mayor’s Office at 732-521-4400, Ext. 114, for assistance finding an appointment.
