Accomplishments

What’s the Aberdeen Economic Business Council been up to?  Here’s a list of what the group has accomplished since its formation in early 2012 through March 2015:

  • Working in cooperation with Matawan Regional High School (MRHS) and the Aberdeen Township Council, developed and administered a contest for students to create an official slogan for Aberdeen. The winning entry: “Our Community, Our Neighborhood, Our Town.” 
  • Worked with Aberdeen Zoning Department to change business signage ordinances. Under the EBC proposal adopted by the Township Council, zoning ordinances now allow businesses to utilize approved promotional signage over designated periods for grand openings and other special events throughout the year for a reasonable fee.
  • Worked with Aberdeen Recreation Department, The Township Council, various other groups, and the business community, to transform Aberdeen Day into an event that goes beyond the traditional afternoon celebration at the high school, with activities now running from morning to night at various venues throughout the township.
  • Worked with Mayor Fred Tagliarini and the Township Council to develop and administer Aberdeen’s first annual job fair in June 2013. The highly successful event, now in its third year, features over 35 private and public sector employers and draws over 400 job-seekers. In 2014, EBC partnered with students from the Matawan Regional High School Business Academy in the planning and implementation of the job fair, which now takes place at the school.
  • Arranged for EBC members to conduct lectures for students in MRHS Business Academy.
  • Worked with Zoning Department and Township Council to create regulations permitting outdoor dining during warm weather months at Aberdeen food businesses where site conditions are right and leases allow such activity.
  • Developed Grand Opening program to welcome new businesses to Aberdeen, including EBC and Aberdeen Township Council participation in grand opening activities, preparation/issuance of a press release announcing the new business, provision of welcome gifts from EBC members, and follow-up visits by EBC members to answer business owner questions.
  • Working on attracting new businesses to town through meetings with prominent real estate brokers and other measures.
  • Held open meetings with Aberdeen business community.
  • Created quarterly EBC newsletter to keep Aberdeen businesses up-to-date on EBC activities and developments throughout the Township.
  • Worked with Aberdeen Township Council and Administration to create the position of Business Liaison, a point-person for existing business owners and those opening in the municipality for issues ranging from zoning, building permits and certificates of occupancy, to outdoor dining, parking, loading zones, and permanent signage. 
  • Developed an emergency contact database for all Aberdeen business owners. Registrants are also able to receive occasional advisories from the Township and EBC.
  • Held First Annual EBC Dinner in March 2015, attracting over 115 members of the business community and government. The program featured a networking cocktail hour, a sit-down dinner, and presentations by Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and professionals discussing the Affordable Care Act and SBA lending.
  • Working in cooperation with the Matawan Regional High School, the EBC, under the direction of the Chairman, Carmine Visone, established a community-wide snow removal program for the residents of Aberdeen, as well as an Internship Program, both involving students from the high school business program.