Rutgers Trenton

On January 4, 2010 I held a press conference at our Main Library and announced my jobs platform. One of the plans I recommended was that the City begin discussions with colleges/universities across the state in considering Trenton a destination as they expand their campuses and course offerings. I also stated that Rutgers Trenton is a partnership that needs to be explored. Below is the text of my remarks:

All men and women who live and work in Trenton should have an opportunity to better educate themselves and increase their stock in the American Dream. Listen to these statistics: There are about 24,000 state employees, 3,000 Capital Health Systems employees’ 2,000 school system employees, 1,700 City employees, and 1,600 county employees. Within the first 100 Days of my administration, partnering with City Council, I will establish an Educational Trust Fund. The primary focus of this commission is to have serious discussions with public and private college/universities within our state about making Trenton a destination to consider as they expand their campuses and course offerings. With over 32,000 workers between our five largest employers and a surplus of abandoned commercial properties and land; I would say this is an opportunity that can not be passed by.

This is an opportunity for all Trentonians that will be my top priority. With college/universities offering educational training, this will surely extend the hours of downtown, as government workers take evening classes. We will also see a dramatic reduction in abandoned properties and land as they are rehabbed to meet the needs of these education institutions.

Governor Christie in his recent Budget Brief (document below), on page 39, makes it clear that he is interested in the “Revitalization of Trenton’s Cultural District”. I am not endorsing his recommendation for Thomas Edison State College, but am interested in hearing what other tools and resources he will consider making available to attract institutions of higher learning downtown. This is a starting point to a much larger discussion and I look forward to partnering with all members of the community as this discussion advances and we look to revitalize downtown.

Budget in Brief