Pursuant to the general powers granted to municipalities
in the State of New Jersey, there is hereby established the Pennington
Borough Economic Development Commission (the "Commission").
[Amended 8-2-1999 by Ord. No. 99-8; 9-6-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-11]
The Commission shall consist of an eight-member
board, five of which members shall be appointed by the Mayor for a
term of five years with one of the five members being appointed each
year. Three of the members shall be appointed for one year each. A
majority shall be Borough residents or owners of property in the Borough.
Two members shall be owners of businesses located in the Borough.
The Mayor shall be an ex-officio member of the board. The Mayor may,
in consultation with the Commission, appoint two alternate members
who shall have the right to vote in the place of any member not able
to do so. The alternate members shall be appointed for one year.
The Commission shall be charged with promoting
the economic well-being of the Borough by:
A. Preparing and updating, at least annually, a community
inventory which would include:
(1) Available public transportation.
(2) Existing businesses, businesses closed within the
last year and proposed employees.
(3) Catalog qualifications of local employment base.
(4) Vacant or otherwise available nonresidential sites.
(5) Analyzing municipal infrastructure and its effect
upon economic development.
B. At least annually making recommendations to the Borough
Council or other Borough boards for changes in ordinances, regulations
or policy which would foster economic development.
C. Promoting economic and business development in the
areas of the Borough designated for such uses by regular meetings
and mailings.
(1) Publishing a business handbook to help existing and
potential businesses through the process of planning, zoning, permits,
etc.
(2) Seeking out compatible and needed businesses and services.
(3) Researching available grants and funding for downtowns.
(4) Make available statistical information including demographics.
The Commission shall prepare and submit to the
Borough Council an annual budget to be used by the Commission to further
its purposes and activities