On Friday, June 9th, more than 175 engineers, architects, developers, construction contractors, professional services providers, members of the finance industry, and elected officials gathered at Stockton University in Galloway Township, NJ for the 27th Annual Construction Forecast.
Attendees include professionals committed to the economic growth of the South Jersey region keen to learn more about projects that are in the conceptual, planning or design stage and/or ready for construction.
This year’s program opened with a South Jersey Economic Regional Outlook, provided by Greg Carlisle, Commercial Market President for TD Bank, and was followed by presentations and a discussion panel detailing upcoming South Jersey economic development and construction projects.
The first Coming Attractions series featured three five-minute previews of projects in the South Jersey region which included an overview of the NJ Motion Picture & Television Commission by Executive Director Steve Gorelick and highlighted recent and upcoming film projects. The second speaker, John Burzichelli, Chairman of the South Jersey Film Office Collaborative, outlined the progress and opportunities in film development for local municipalities. The final presentation featured Faith Orsini, VP for Facilities at Cooper University Health Care, who outlined their $2 billion Camden expansion plan.
The moderated South Jersey County & Improvement Authority discussion panel featured Max Slusher, Director of Business Development, Atlantic County Economic Alliance; Jerry Velazquez, President & CEO, The Authority of Cumberland County; Tom J. Stanuikynas, Supervising Planner, County of Burlington; and George Strachan, Executive Director, Gloucester County Improvement Authority. The panel was moderated by Mike Hagarty, Director of Project Management, for the Camden County Improvement Authority.
The second and final Coming Attractions panel, Growing & Expanding Higher Ed Institutions, a series of presentations on new construction and retrofitting projects in educational institutions featured Don Hudson, Senior Vice President of Facilities & Operations, Stockton University; Joe Campbell, Vice President Facilities, Planning & Operations, Rowan University; and Dr. Sharon Blanton, Vice President for Operations, The College of New Jersey.