New Jersey-2010-ACR37-Introduced

A Concurrent Resolution urging the Governor to declare the aviation industry as a critical industry of this State and make available State government resources to promote and assist the development of aviation in New Jersey.

Whereas, Governor Corzine, in declaring his economic growth strategy for New Jersey in 2007, recognized, as a matter of policy, certain industries as key growth sectors critical to the State's economy and specifically identified them as life sciences, stem cell research, clean energy, and information and communication technologies; and

Whereas, The Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") is currently implementing a project to develop the Next Generation Air Transportation System ("NextGen"); and

Whereas, Research for that project is centered at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center, which is the nation's leading aviation and air traffic management federal laboratory; and

Whereas, The FAA and Richard Stockton College of New Jersey have entered into an agreement creating an Aviation and Technology Research Park ("ATRP") adjacent to the FAA Technical Center and Atlantic City International Airport; and

Whereas, The ATRP will enable private firms to enter into agreements with the FAA to engage in research projects, with access to state-of-the-art federal laboratories and will allow the private sector's use of laboratory facilities for research projects outside the direct responsibilities of the FAA to perform research, development, testing, integration, and verification of NextGen technologies; and

Whereas, This collaboration positions New Jersey as a global leader in aviation research and development and it is in New Jersey's economic interest to take full advantage of this resource and maintain a technical edge in the increasingly competitive world economy; and

Whereas, The ATRP is an example of the importance of the aviation industry to the State's economy and how the industry provides New Jersey with highly skilled and high paying careers with high knowledge content; and

Whereas, The Legislature recognizes aviation, which includes aeronautics, aviation engineering, avionics technology, aviation logistics, air traffic management, aircraft construction and management, airport operations, and related professions, as an industry critical to New Jersey's economy, and urges current and future administrations to recognize the aviation industry as such; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

1. The Legislature of this State urges the Governor to declare the aviation industry as a critical industry of this State and make available State government resources to promote and assist the development of aviation in New Jersey. In making this declaration, the Governor and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority ("authority") and the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology ("commission") shall:

a. Modify their programs where permissible by law to give enhanced incentives to aviation businesses, including those involved in aeronautics, aviation engineering, avionics technology, aviation logistics, air traffic management, aircraft construction and management, airport operations, and related professions. Programs to be utilized in this regard shall include any technology-based program or fund established by the authority or commission;

b. Modify the commission's existing programs where permissible by law to promote and support networks and collaboration between the aviation industry and State-based university or college researchers, to promote the commercialization of new ideas, and to further develop support for the aviation industry; and

c. Work cooperatively with other State departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and authorities to explore and implement opportunities to direct resources to the aviation industry, including the provision of technology, financial assistance, workforce development opportunities, and infrastructure assistance.

2. Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and the President of the Senate and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly and the Secretary of the Senate, shall be transmitted to the Governor, the Chairman and Executive Director of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and the Chairman and Executive Director of the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology.

STATEMENT

This concurrent resolution urges the Governor to declare the aviation industry as a critical industry of this State and make available State government resources to promote and assist the development of aviation in New Jersey. In making this declaration, the Governor and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority ("authority") and the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology ("commission") shall: 1) modify their programs where permissible by law to give enhanced incentives to aviation businesses, including those involved in aeronautics, aviation engineering, avionics technology, aviation logistics, air traffic management, aircraft construction and management, airport operations, and related professions. Programs to be utilized in this regard shall include any technology-based program or fund established by the authority or commission; 2) modify the commission's existing programs where permissible by law to promote and support networks and collaboration between the aviation industry and State-based university or college researchers, to promote the commercialization of new ideas, and to further develop support for the aviation industry; and 3) work cooperatively with other State departments, agencies, boards, commissions and authorities to explore and implement opportunities to direct resources to the aviation industry, including the provision of technology, financial assistance, workforce development opportunities, and infrastructure assistance.