The Atlantic County Economic Development Alliance, a nonprofit corporation tasked with bringing businesses to Atlantic County, hopes to have an executive director in place by the middle of the year.
Howard Kyle, Atlantic County chief of staff, made the remarks during the Greater Atlantic City Chamber meeting Wednesday at Atlantic City Country Club.
The corporation, which was developed in November, will play a key role in implementing the strategy and overseeing economic development throughout Atlantic County. The budget for the agency is approximately $1.2 million a year, Kyle said, adding that the group hopes to be self-sufficient within five years. The agency’s budget includes $780,000 for salary and wages.
“We are serious about economic development,” Kyle said. “A lot of municipalities have aggressive business programs; the problem is that it’s not tied into the region. If someone comes into Somers Point and it doesn’t fit, generally they might just leave the area. We are here to find a location in the county where it could work.”