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Author: Melissa DeFreest

Somerset County Business Partnership / Articles posted by Melissa DeFreest

8th Annual Salute to Tourism Focuses on Community to Draw Inspiration Amid Pandemic

BRIDGEWATER – Somerset County Tourism celebrated another year of the Salute to Tourism program, going virtual this year. The program is presented by Somerset County Tourism and focuses on the vibrant tourism economy and also serves as a platform to recognize the world-renowned institutions that call Somerset County, NJ home. To see how local tourism businesses reacted to the pandemic, the Salute to Tourism event brought five industry individuals to explore how they overcame the many obstacles in their way. The program included panelists from five Somerset County tourism and hospitality businesses including: Vinnie Cicerale, director of sales & marketing at AC Hotel Bridgewater, Leigh Zona, director of communications at The Center for Contemporary Art, Brad Fay, president at Millstone Scenic Byway, Debbie Norz, co-owner at Norz Hill Farm & Market, and Marc Russinoff, vice president of public relations at Somerset Patriots. The tourism industry took an incredible hit from the pandemic....

February 4, 2021
Press Releases
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‘Diverse teams drive better returns’: Somerset Business Partnership holds diversity summit

BRIDGEWATER – Diversity in the workplace leads to greater success. That was one of the messages delivered at the Somerset County Business Partnership's first Somerset County Diversity and Inclusion Summit held virtually on Sept. 24. “Diverse teams drive better returns," said Magda Yrizarry, chief diversity officer at Verizon. "When leaders speak of this, it resonates with shareholders. Our leadership is committed to activating the awareness of our employees.” Yrizarry said the power of inclusion is important to employers, but there is no cookie-cutter approach to making progress on the issue. Yrizarry said business leaders must be conscious of the importance of diversity and care and inclusion in the workplace. The summit was a continuation of the Business Partnership's initiative to provide the business community with what it needs to know about Somerset County’s changing population and how to better understand and embrace the county's growing diversity.  In her keynote comments, Hester Agudosi, chief diversity officer at the New Jersey Office...

October 13, 2020
Press Releases
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Business Partnership Announces Marketing Grant Opportunity for Restaurants

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP), the premier business advocacy organization in the County, and Somerset County Tourism, the destination marketing organization for the County, have announced a new program to aid local restaurants that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The “Somerset County, NJ Restaurant Marketing Grant” program will provide restaurants with in-kind value of $500 worth of marketing and promotional opportunities. Included in the marketing package is: • A one-hour marketing strategy consult with representatives from Somerset County Tourism             • A featured listing on the Somerset County Tourism (www.VisitSomersetNJ.org) website             • A listing in the Somerset County Business Partnership Directory (www.scbp.org)             • Inclusion in marketing email blasts to the 10,000 subscriber base             • Posts to the SCBP and Somerset County Tourism social media accounts The program is open to SCBP member and non-member restaurants operating in Somerset County and will provide in-kind services only. No cash will...

July 9, 2020
Press Releases
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Today’s SCBP Takeaways – March 24, 2020

Hello everyone, as CEO of the Business Partnership I want to start giving everyone an update a few times per week on what we are working on as we help to guide your business through this crisis. Today's post will just be an overview, but I plan on providing more in depth information has we go along. Here are some items we are working on today: - We have created 2 Facebook Groups to help the community stay connected:o Somerset County, NJ Community Needso Somerset County Take Out and Delivery Options - We are also offering webinars near daily. You can check out a full listing of our upcoming events/webinars here. - We’ve also put together some business resources on our website that may help address any concerns businesses may have in terms of need. - There is also a legislation tracking page we have compiled. These pieces of legislation that have passed or are in...

March 24, 2020
Publications

Chris Edwards Named President/CEO of Business Partnership

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Executive Committee of the Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP) today endorsed the recommendation of the Search Committee and Board of Directors, naming Chris Edwards, former Vice-President of Business Services, as President/CEO, succeeding Mike Kerwin who will be retiring March 13, 2020. Edwards has served in his current position at the SCBP since May of 2018 following his tenure as SCBP Director of Business Development fom March, 2013  to May, 2018. “Chris was a valuable additon to the Business Partnership staff from the day of his hiring,” commented current Board Chairman Ed Dolan. “He immedialy understood the culture of the Partnership and was able to communicate that culture to businesses throughout the county. We have not only experienced a significant increase in the number of members of the organization but also have experienced an increase in member participation and renewals over that time.” Prior to his hiring at the Business Partnership Edwards served as Director of Resource Development at United...

February 20, 2020
Press Releases
Peg Wright

Business Partnership to Honor Peg Wright as 70th Somerset County Citizen of the Year

BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP) has announced that Peg Wright, President/CEO of the Center for Great Expectations, has been selected as the 70th Somerset County Citizen of the Year. The Citizen of the Year award, given annually to Somerset County’s premier civic and business leader, is the county’s most prestigious individual award recognizing a single person for community and professional activities that have contributed to making Somerset County a special place. The dinner honoring the Citizen of the Year continues the seven-decade long tradition of bringing the community together to honor an individual’s efforts in support of the County and provides the opportunity to reflect on Somerset County’s rich history and the people who have provided the leadership that has contributed to that success. Ms. Wright will be honored on Thursday, April 30, 2020, beginning at 5:00 P.M. at the Bridgewater Marriott, 700 Commons Way in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Past recipients are individuals who...

February 20, 2020
Press Releases
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Somerset, Hunterdon & Morris Chambers Collaborate on Opportunity NJ Presentation

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – “OpportunityNJ (ONJ) is a non-partisan, grassroots coalition comprised of New Jersey interests representing employers, employees, business, trade groups, community organizations and other concerned citizens in the State. With no direct ties to political parties or government, ONJ serves as an independent voice to provide data based education about New Jersey policy actions – and to support policies that encourage job growth, affordability and prosperity in New Jersey.” On Monday, November 18, 2019, a collaboration of the Somerset County, Hunterdon County, and Morris County Chambers hosted at the Raritan Valley Community College to present Opportunity NJ’s plan to make New Jersey more competitive and affordable.   Opportunity NJ co-chairs Michelle Siekerka, Esq., President and CEO of the NJ Business and Industry Association and Tom Bracken, President and CEO of the NJ Chamber of Commerce led an interactive discussion on the comprehensive plan that shows how to create an business environment in New Jersey that encourages job creation, business opportunity, private sector investment, and an affordable...

November 20, 2019
Press Releases

A Plan for Business Innovation in New Jersey

In any discussion about the hotbeds for discovery and innovation in the United States — in fact, around the world — New Jersey is always high on the list. As home to 20 members of the Fortune 500, the Garden State has the talent, infrastructure, and resources necessary to lead the world in life-changing innovation. More than 17,000 businesses have a presence here in Somerset County alone, including global innovators that include LabCorp, GSK, Sanofi, and Ethicon. We are, however, on the brink of toppling over an economic precipice, and New Jersey’s rightful place as an innovation leader on the global stage is tenuous. Significant corporate tax burdens — among the highest in the nation — have made our state much less regionally attractive for businesses, both large and small. And our prohibitively high cost-of-living is among the reasons why New Jersey holds the dubious honor of leading the nation in the number of residents moving out. This makes it more difficult...

October 2, 2019
Press Releases
Annual Meeting

Business Partnership Announces Economic Vitality Recipients

The Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP) will recognize Pfizer, the Somerset County YMCA, and Chimney Rock Inn as recipients of the 2019 Economic Vitality Awards, recognizing their leadership in enhancing the economic competitiveness of Somerset County. The Economic Vitality Awards will be presented at the Somerset County Business Partnership Annual Meeting on Monday, December 9, 2019, at the Palace at Somerset Park, 333 Davidson Avenue in Somerset, New Jersey. The day's activities will begin with a networking reception at 11:30 A.M. followed by the luncheon at 12:15 P.M. Pfizer is a global biopharmaceutical company with a portfolio that includes medicines and vaccines in addition to many of the world's best-known consumer healthcare products. Pfizer is recognized for its growth in Somerset County and its investment in community- based approaches against infectious diseases locally and internationally. The Somerset County YMCA (Somerset Hills Y, Somerville Y, Hillsborough Y, Plainfield Y, Bridgewater Y Pool) is a...

October 2, 2019
Press Releases

Officials Weigh in on Grow NJ Program

TRENTON – Somerset County Freeholder Director Brian D. Levine was among the county and local officials who testified recently before the New Jersey Senate Select Committee on Economic Growth Strategies.Freeholder, Levine, Senate, Committee He was joined by Somerset County Business Partnership President & CEO Mike Kerwin, Business Partnership Vice President John Maddocks and county Planning Director Walter Lane. “Somerset County Freeholders have worked hard at building partnerships that enable us to creatively address challenges and take advantage of opportunities,” Freeholder Levine told the Senate committee. “These partnerships are an effective and efficient investment of public funds to improve our communities. Our analysis of the Grow NJ program and its impact on our county is just one of many examples. “As a matter of competitiveness, we support statewide business assistance programs that reduce the barriers to entry for companies wishing to create jobs and make capital investments in our communities,” he continued. “As you...

October 1, 2019
Press Releases
SOMERSET COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
The Somerset County Business Partnership is a unique organization that creates vibrant connections with our partners in the public and private sectors to build a prosperous and sustainable future in Somerset County, NJ. We are a Chamber of Commerce with a proud 100-year history. We partner with the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners to provide economic development, workforce, and tourism services to promote our wonderful county. If you are looking to do business in Somerset County, we invite you to join our cause!
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Phone: 908 218-4300

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Email: info@scbp.org