Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes "Comprehensive State Plan for Economic Development."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning State planning for economic development, amending and supplementing P.L.1948, c.445.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 11 of P.L.1948, c.445 (C.52:16A-11) is amended to read as follows:
11. In addition to other powers and duties specifically conferred and imposed [upon him] by [this act or by any other] law, the Secretary of State shall:
(a) Supervise the work of the employees engaged in the Department of State.
(b) Adopt uniform procedures for all secretarial, recording and clerical duties for each office within the Department of State.
(c) Maintain a public register of all persons licensed by the State Athletic Commissioner.
(d) Integrate, so far as practicable, all staff services of the Department of State and of each of the offices therein.
(e) Develop a "Comprehensive State Plan for Economic Development" which shall include all of the following:
(1) a description of the State's vision, goals, objectives, and strategies for economic development;
(2) identification of business sectors, including those sectors which have potential growth in this State's economy and global business image;
(3) strategies to encourage the creation and expansion of businesses in this State and the relocation of businesses to this State;
(4) potential partners for the implementation of the strategies identified in paragraph (3) of this subsection, including federal and local governments, local and regional organizations for economic development growth, chambers of commerce, private businesses and investors, and nonprofit entities;
(5) strategies for talent development necessary to encourage economic development growth in this State, taking into consideration factors such as the State's education and training opportunities and available workforce;
(6) strategies to engage women, veterans, and minorities in developing businesses;
(7) strategies to improve and develop tourism;
(8) an analysis of current and projected economic indicators, which shall include:
(i) unemployment rate;
(ii) average annual wage;
(iii) gross domestic product;
(iv) number of jobs created;
(v) number of jobs retained.
(cf: P.L.1948, c.445, s.11)
2. (New section) a. The Secretary of State shall prepare and transmit within 36 months after the enactment of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), and revise and readopt at least every five years thereafter, the "Comprehensive State Plan for Economic Development." The Secretary of State may call to its assistance the personnel of any State agency, regional entity, or county, municipality, or political subdivision thereof as it may require in development and preparation of the plan.
b. The Secretary of State shall conduct at least three public hearings in different locations throughout the State for the purpose of receiving comments on the "Comprehensive State Plan for Economic Development." The Secretary of State shall provide at least 30 days' public notice of each hearing in advertisements in at least two newspapers which circulate in the area served by the hearing and at least 30 days' notice to the governing body and planning board of each county and municipality in the area served by the hearing.
3. (New section) The Secretary of State shall transmit the "Comprehensive State Plan for Economic Development" to the Governor and the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), on or before November 1st of every fifth year, and shall publish the plan on the Department of State's website.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would require the Secretary of State to develop and prepare a five-year "Comprehensive State Plan for Economic Development." The plan would describe the State's vision, goals, objectives, and strategies for economic development.
The bill specifies that the plan must identify business sectors, including those sectors which have potential growth in this State's economy and global business image, and strategies to encourage the creation and expansion of businesses in this State and the relocation of businesses to this State. The bill provides that the plan must identify potential partners for the implementation of these strategies, including federal and local governments, local and regional organizations for economic development growth, chambers of commerce, private businesses and investors, and nonprofit entities.
Other components of the plan required under the bill include:
· strategies for talent development necessary to encourage economic development growth in New Jersey;
· strategies to engage women, veterans, and minorities in developing businesses;
· strategies to improve and develop tourism;
· an analysis of current and projected economic indicators.