Over $460 Million Economic Impact Spurred by Middlesex County Nonprofit Community Developers

Statewide community development association releases new local economic impact report

6/29/2016

Nonprofit community developers, local officials and residents came together to unveil the Middlesex County Stronger Together report. Pictured standing from left to right: Leslie Stivale, executive director, Triple C Housing; Matthew Hersch, board member, Highland Park Housing Authority; Staci Berger, president and chief executive officer, Housing and Community Development Network of NJ; Brian Kulas, housing advocate. Sitting: Middlesex County Freeholder Blanquite Valenti and New Brunswick Councilwoman Rebecca Escobar.

Nonprofit community development corporations (CDCs) in Middlesex County have contributed over $460 million dollars for New Jersey’s economy according to a report released this week from the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network). The report is a supplement to Stronger Together: The $12 Billion Impact of Community Corporations in New Jersey, a study highlighting the investments made by the sector since 1989 and the resulting impact on the state’s communities.

“The nonprofit community development sector has been a strong contributor to the area and the state’s economy, making investments that have improved the quality of our neighborhoods as well as produce homes and jobs,” said Staci Berger, president and chief executive officer of the Network. “These mission-driven organizations are creating opportunities for thousands of New Jersey residents while generating much needed tax revenue for these counties and all of New Jersey.”

According to the new report, Middlesex County nonprofit CDCs have completed 76 developments which have spurred 3,000 jobs and $218 million in labor income in the last 25 years.

“The ‘Stronger Together’ report underscores that our work matters to the people we serve and to the places in which we operate. There are fiscal and economic benefits that accrue when communities support the development of affordable homes and partner with the non-profit community to build and manage them. We help people with special needs and their neighborhoods thrive,” said Leslie Stivale, executive director of Triple C Housing. “By creating more homes people of every walk of life can afford, we help Middlesex County residents be able to call New Jersey home.”

The report which features Middlesex County employment, housing, and demographic data was unveiled at an event hosted by Triple C Housing in New Brunswick. Middlesex County Freehold Blanquita Valenti and New Brunswick Councilwoman Rebecca Escobar along with other local officials, area community developers, as well as faith-based and other local nonprofit organizations were on hand during for the release of the report.

To access Stronger Together: The $12 Billion Impact of Community Corporations in New Jersey and the Middlesex County supplemental report, visit http://www.hcdnnj.org/StrongerTogether.

About the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ
The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey is the statewide association of more than 250 community development corporations, individuals and other organizations that support the creation of affordable homes, economic opportunities, and strong communities. For more information on the Network, visit www.hcdnnj.org.

Editors Note: Please consider using the attached photo with the following caption:
Nonprofit community developers, local officials and residents came together to unveil the Middlesex County Stronger Together report. Pictured standing from left to right: Leslie Stivale, executive director, Triple C Housing; Matthew Hersch, board member, Highland Park Housing Authority; Staci Berger, president and chief executive officer, Housing and Community Development Network of NJ; Brian Kulas, housing advocate. Sitting: Middlesex County Freeholder Blanquite Valenti and New Brunswick Councilwoman Rebecca Escobar.