Experts from the NJ State Legislature, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Bloustein School will be among the distinguished list of speakers addressing the link between environmental quality and economic stability and growth at a program entitled, “It’s All Connected: Water, Infrastructure & The Economy” to be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The event is open to the business community and to the public. To register, call 732-745-8090 or via email to alex@mcrcc.org.
The relationship between our river system, a strong water infrastructure, reliable supply and the benefits realized by our businesses and residents from those assets drives economic stability and growth in our region. Access to these resources often weighs heavily in relocation decisions for businesses looking to set up operation in our area. In addition to addressing problems with our nation’s aging infrastructure and recent storm impacts, the conference will examine other connections between our water and a viable economy including:
- Flood Preparation, Response and Mitigation
- How the Raritan River Contributes to Economic Development and Business Retention
- Impacts of Storm Water on Local Waterways and Steps to Reduce Pollutants
- Actions the Public Can Take to Protect and Maintain Raritan River Waters
- How Investments in Water Infrastructure Help Maintain Reliability and Quality
Speakers include: Senator Bob Smith, Chair of the New Jersey Senate Environment Committee; Timothy Crowley, Regional Mitigation Director for FEMA Region 2; Joseph J. Seebode, Deputy District Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mary-Anna Holden, Commissioner, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and Fred Sickels, Director, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Supply and Governance. Dennis Doll, President and CEO of Middlesex Water Company, Middlesex County Freeholder Director Christopher D. Rafano and Dr. Judy Shaw of Rutgers will offer welcoming remarks. Tours of Middlesex Water’s Treatment facility will be offered following the program.
The event is being sponsored by the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Middlesex Water Company and the Sustainable Raritan River Business Roundtable and will be held at Middlesex Water’s Treatment Facility at 100 Fairview Avenue in Edison, NJ. To register for this event, please RSVP by January 24th by calling 732-745-8090 or via email to alex@mcrcc.org.