Lt. Governor Guadagno Welcomes Vitech Systems to New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. (Jan. 25, 2012) - New Jersey's growing reputation as a prime location to place and grow a business was further validated recently when the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) awarded its Soft Landings International Incubator designation to the Commercialization Center for Innovative Technologies (CCIT), which is part of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority's (EDA's) Technology Centre of New Jersey in North Brunswick.

 

     The designation recognizes incubators that are especially capable of helping nondomestic companies enter the domestic market with translation services, cutting through red tape, accessing capital, domestic market research, and other programs.

 

     "This designation makes New Jersey even more attractive to fledgling foreign businesses seeking to establish a United States presence," said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.  "As these small foreign companies come to New Jersey to mature and grow, they'll stay in New Jersey, expand their workforce by hiring New Jerseyans, and contribute further to our economy."

 

     New Jersey is now home to two of only 23 small business incubators in the world that have earned the Soft Landings designation.  The Enterprise Development Center (EDC), a business incubator operated and sponsored by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), was awarded the designation in 2010.

 

     "The Christie Administration has made clear to the nation and the world that New Jersey is a place where businesses can thrive, and this is further proof that New Jersey is increasingly recognized as an ideal place for foreign direct investment," continued Guadagno.  "This honor rightfully acknowledges New Jersey's success at attracting foreign businesses and creating jobs."

 

     Tim King, NBIA's International Programs Operations Manager, said that both New Jersey incubators earned the Soft Landings designation because of their array of business services for nondomestic firms and demonstrated success helping firms enter the U.S. market.

 

     "New Jersey's business incubation program is a catalyst for the development of young companies by providing entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks, and tools they need to make their ventures a success," King said.

 

     The Soft Landings designation is for two years.  Incubators must reapply for continuing designation.  CCIT's recent designation marks its third consecutive Soft Landings award, following its initial designation in 2007 and subsequent renewal in 2009.

 

      The Christie Administration has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to growing business in New Jersey.  The EDA is part of the state's results-driven Partnership for Action.  Created by Gov. Chris Christie and led by Lt. Gov. Guadagno, the Partnership is the hub for all economic development activity in New Jersey.  It is comprised of three interconnected and highly focused organizational elements, which include Choose New Jersey, Business Action Center, and EDA.  The Partnership's goals include attracting new business, and helping existing businesses thrive, in New Jersey by focusing on relationship building and person to person outreach, promoting the state's incentives and resources, developing pro-growth policies, and assisting businesses in navigating state government and programs.

 
     Transcript of the audio is below:
 
     This designation signals to foreign companies around the world that New Jersey is the ideal place to set up business operations when they want to expand anywhere in the United States.  For New Jersey, these companies establishing operations here are going to begin to grow here, continue to grow here, so it's great for the economic future of New Jersey.

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Contact: Erin Gold
New Jersey Economic Development Authority
(609) 858-6718
egold@njeda.com

CCIT Awarded Soft Landings International Incubator Designation

Lt. Governor Guadagno Welcomes Watson Pharmaceuticals’ Global Research and Development Technology Center to New Jersey

Today’s announcement by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that the company is establishing its global research and development center in North Brunswick shows that the New Jersey Comeback is in full swing, said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.

Watson develops and distributes generic pharmaceuticals and specialized pharmaceutical products focused on urology and women’s health.

"Watson's decision to further expand in New Jersey shows the Christie-Guadagno strategy to attract business, rebuild New Jersey's economy and create jobs is working," said Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.  "Strengthening the state's competitive position in the life sciences is a priority, and the commitment by a global pharmaceutical leader like Watson is proof that companies are finding New Jersey increasingly attractive."

In 2010, Watson moved its global corporate headquarters to Parsippany, a move that included relocating certain corporate leadership functions that had been located at the company’s Corona, California site.

During the Christie-Guadagno Administration’s first two years, New Jersey added more than 60,000 new private sector jobs and attracted scores of companies.  In fact, 2011 was the best private sector job growth year in New Jersey since 2000, according to Rutgers University economist Joseph Seneca.

Under the leadership of Lt. Governor Guadagno, the New Jersey Partnership for Action (PFA) worked with Watson to encourage the company to choose New Jersey for its global research and development center.  The center, which will employ about 50 professional and support staff, will undergo a $4.5 million renovation and is expected to open in the spring of 2012.

PFA is a three-pronged public-private approach to economic development and the starting point for all initiatives, policies, and efforts to grow New Jersey’s economy and create quality, sustainable jobs in our communities.  The three elements of the PFA include the Business Action Center, which reports directly to the Lt. Governor and provides the business community with a single point of contact, applying a proactive, customer-service approach to businesses’ interactions with State government; the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, serving as the state’s “bank for business”; and Choose New Jersey, an independently funded and operated 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation created to encourage and nurture economic growth throughout New Jersey.

“The jobs Watson is bringing to North Brunswick are precisely the type of jobs we’re working to bring to New Jersey,” continued Guadagno.  ”Watson’s move further strengthens the state’s already robust and admired life sciences industry cluster.”

Businesses considering a move or in need of assistance are encouraged to call New Jersey’s Business Action Center at (866) 534-7789 or visit the State’s Business Portal at www.newjerseybusiness.gov.

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Lt. Gov. Guadagno Welcomes Watson Pharmaceuticals' Global Research & Development Tech Center to NJ

-- Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno Presents the Governor’s Jefferson Awards to New Jersey’s Outstanding Volunteers --
-- Award Recognizes Volunteerism Efforts of Individuals, Groups and Businesses --
                                                                                                                             
Trenton, NJ – Recognizing New Jersey’s outstanding volunteers, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno presented the prestigious Governor’s Jefferson Awards to 20 citizens, organizations and companies at a ceremony at the Newark Museum. More than 1,400 nominations were submitted for this year’s awards.

“Volunteerism is truly compassion in action, and these citizens have not only identified priority needs, but have found unique ways to address those needs,” said Lt. Governor Guadagno. “Some of the honorees have given decades of service to their communities. Corporate volunteers have directly served thousands of victims of the Haitian earthquake. One dedicated and selfless individual gave his life responding to the needs of others during Hurricane Irene.”

These honorees represent a small fraction of the approximately 1.5 million New Jersey volunteers who provide more than 170 million hours of service each year.

The Governor’s Jefferson Awards is a partnership of the New Jersey Office of Volunteerism, PNC Bank, the Community Foundation of New Jersey, BD, PSEG, Verizon, and State Farm Insurance. The Governor’s Volunteer Awards began under Governor Kean in the 1980’s and the National Jefferson Awards were initiated in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U. S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard to establish a Nobel Prize for public and community service.  New Jersey consolidated the two awards programs in 2010.

This year’s award feature several categories, including a one-time-only category for those who volunteered during the response to Hurricane Irene.

Edward J. O’Malley, Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Volunteerism, praised the members of the Council for their dedicated work as judges for the awards.

“Our Council members set the pace for volunteerism in New Jersey, serving as judges for the awards and reading as many as 70 nominations in individual categories,” said O’Malley.  “The Governor’s Jefferson Awards are truly a highlight and inspiration for all of us each year.”

Information on the awards and the online application can be found at www.njgovernorsawards.com.

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno Presents Governor’s Jefferson Awards to New Jersey’s Outstanding Volunteers

Lt. Gov. Guadagno: BASF’s New North American Headquarters Shows “New Jersey Comeback” Continues

New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno describes how New Jersey voters displaced by Hurricane Sandy and first responders away from home to help New Jersey recover can vote in the election on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.