PRESIDENT`S REPORT WELCOME ABOARD HUDSON COUNTY

DECEMBER
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PRESI DE NT’S REPORT
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Shop Local, GIVE Local
By Maria Nieves, President & CEO
Here in America, and especially in the nation’s wealthiest state — that’s right, New Jersey was
recently ranked the #1 wealthiest state in the nation by Forbes magazine — we’re particularly
blessed with abundance and with that abundance comes great responsibility and the potential for
great generosity.
In the United States giving to charitable organizations totaled $335.2B in 2013 and the vast
majority of these donations were made by individuals like you and me. We are indeed generous. But
where do we give? There are so many international and national crises that capture our attention, as well as the media’s. How
can we focus on giving locally and why should we?
Charity Begins at Home
When we give locally, we know where our money is going. It’s going to meet the needs in our own communities. Typically, local
not-for-profits also have smaller administrative staffs and… Continue Reading
In an effort to raise the visibility of the many not-for-profits in our Membership, the Chamber
introduces our new “GIVE Local Spotlight.” Our first GIVE Local Spotlight focuses on Madeline
Fiadini LoRe Foundation for Cancer Prevention. Founded in 2008, MFL Foundation’s
Mission is providing cancer prevention programs to the community. Their focus is grant access to
testing and/or screenings to individuals who may otherwise be denied. Learn more about MFL
Foundation and how you can support their mission.
LEGENDS BALL 2014
7th Annual Celebration is a Success!
Photos from Legends Ball (Clockwise from top left): President & CEO Maria Nieves with 2014 Legends Eyal and Karen Farage, Gary Greenberg, Gerard
McGraw and Chris Martin of Provident Bank; Legends Ball Committee Co-Chairs Sharon Ambis and Daryl Rand; red carpet interview with Board
Member Jennifer Adams; Casino in the Park all decked-out; and Carlos Bakery’s gorgeous “We Make it Happen” cake. Photos by JFosterImagery.
See our Facebook Album for all Legends Ball photos!
FROM THE HALLS OF TRENTON
By Hoboken Strategy Group
From the Halls of Trenton is a regular feature of the President’s Report. Thank you to Hoboken Strategy Group for
partnering with us to keep you up to date on the action while focusing on legislation of interest to our members.
Hudson County on the Rise. As 2014 winds down and we look ahead to the New Year, From the Halls
of Trenton wanted to end the year on some positive notes of interest to Hudson County as well as an
outlook on some issues addressed in 2015.
Recently the U.S. Census Bureau reported that Jersey City continues to be the state’s leader
for new housing. According to Census figures, the City issued 1,286 permits for new housing units from
January through the end of October with more than 1,100 of those for multi-family projects. Also topping the
ranks is Secaucus with the third highest number of housing permits issued. Currently, a major rental project in Secaucus is being
developed near the Secaucus Junction Rail Station. Statewide, home building in New Jersey is on track for its strongest year since
2006 with an 18% increase in permits issued in the past year.
New Jersey Incentives vs. New York. Since taking office last year, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has taken a strong stance
against economic incentives for larger corporations. Last year, JP Morgan Chase cancelled a planned $6.5 billion office project in
Manhattan as a result of New York City’s refusal to provide tax breaks. This Fall, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno sent a letter
to 275 financial services companies in New York and Philadelphia…Continue Reading
WELCOME ABOARD
From Smokin’ Barrel, a BBQ restaurant featuring occasional live music, to Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, and De Cotiis, Fitzpatrick
& Cole, LLP, our diverse membership grows. 62 New Members have joined us since January 1 and the following have joined since
October! Each of these businesses and organizations has made a commitment to raise their profile and support our regional
business community. We thank them all for their support!
Learn more about their products and services:
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Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
March of Dimes - North Jersey Division
Videre Decorative Arts
Amelia's Bistro
McLoone's Pier House
Green Rock Tap & Grill
Shakespeare Mailing Services
Metropolitan Motorbikes
Kearny Federal Savings
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole, LLP
Hudson County Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprise
Smokin' Barrel
NRG Energy Representative Steven Colacurcio
Habitat For Humanity For Hudson County
HUDSON COUNTY CHAMBER
HITS THE AIRWAVES
We’re proud to announce the launch of a new venture with Hudson Media Group: a new local television show hosted by your
Hudson County Chamber. Each episode will focus on doing business in Hudson County with one of our fantastic Chamber
Members. Our first episode features Singularity, LLC. Maria Nieves, President & CEO, interviews Mario Hernandez and
Nina Johnson, founders and owners of Singularity, which is based in West New York and has been a great Chamber Member! Our
next episode will feature New Jersey Beer Co. Our goal is to help promote as many of our members as possible in the coming
months! Stay tuned…
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
HUDSON COUNTY!
The Chamber wishes all our Members
and the Hudson County Community
a very Merry Christmas &
Happy New Year’s!
We’ll see you all in 2015!
DISCOVER MORE:
f
VISIT
SAVE THE DATE
2015 Annual
Business Meeting
Monday, February 9
Liberty Science Center
11 AM – 2 PM
EMAIL
857 BERGEN AVENUE, 3RD FLOOR • JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY 07306
T: 201.386.0699 • F: 201.386.8480