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The parties listed below are currently implementing actions in pursuit of community goals. To learn more about these participants, click on the links below.
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Middlesex County Department of Economic and Business Development
The Department of Economic and Business Development plays an important role as a liaison between business, government, and other organizations that have an impact on economic development. As the primary contact agency for businesses who seek assistance within the county, the Department serves as a clearinghouse for local, county, state, and federal assistance programs and services.
The Department can promote the fact that New Jersey has many features that make it an attractive place to start up or move a business. Businesses can take advantage of the fact that New Jersey has one of the lowest corporate income tax structures in the Northeast and the fact that there is no net worth tax, business personal tax, commercial rent or occupancy tax, and no retail gross receipts tax. Other beneficial programs or initiatives include property tax abatement and exemptions, a new job investment tax credit, manufacturing equipment and employment investment tax credit, urban enterprise zones, research and development tax credit for corporation business tax, and much more.
The Department of Economic and Business Development helps businesses with site selection and through assistance programs that include skills training, market research, and small business consulting. With so many assistance programs and services, the Department of Economic and Business Development plays an important role in developing and ensuring Middlesex County’s economic competitiveness.
How Does Our Mission and Activities Relate to Sustainability?
A high quality of life is characterized by a vibrant economy which supports Middlesex communities by providing needed services, products, and employment opportunities. The Department of Economic and Business Development makes efforts to efficiently administer traditional local, county, state, and federal programs in addition to initiating programs that attempt to increase green and sustainable economic growth. These two programs are the Sustainable Economic Growth Improvement Fund Grant and the Downtown and Business District Improvement Fund Grant.
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/economicdevelopment/index.asp
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Middlesex County Department of Housing and Community Development
The Housing and Community Development Department administers three very important programs with the goal of benefiting and assisting low income individuals and households. Through the Community Development Block Grant, Section 8 Rental Assistance, and HOME programs, more than seven million dollars are distributed to individuals and organizations that work to help serve that population. The money helps families to pay rent and supports the development of new affordable housing units and other needed services. The department also helps Middlesex County residents preserve homes and assists first time home buyers. The Housing Preservation Program makes loans available for essential repairs that do not have to be paid back until the house is transferred to new ownership. The American Dream Down Payment Program assists first time home buyers by providing the down payment and closing costs.
The department, in conjunction with Monarch Housing Associates , community organizations, and the County, also oversees the ten year plan to end homelessness. Objectives include creating 520 permanent affordable and or supportive housing units, preventing homelessness, and increasing economic opportunities.
How Does Our Mission and Activities Relate to Sustainability?
Homeownership provides numerous benefits. In addition to providing individuals with equity and a method for accumulating long-term wealth, homeownership often creates a sense of civic responsibility and makes individuals stakeholders in the community because homeowners are typically going to be long-term residents. Given the high cost of living and real estate in New Jersey, many individuals may need assistance purchasing a home or maintaining a current residence. The department’s programs not only provide these services, but also target those who can not afford market value housing. By serving needs of the County’s diverse population, the department helps to provide a high quality of life for residents.
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/housing/index.asp
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Middlesex County Department of Parks and Recreation
The department provides recreational and cultural activities for the general public throughout the year. It oversees extensive facilities that include places for sports in the summer as well as the winter, theater and concert programs, and open space for walks or other outdoor activities. In addition to about 7000 acres acquired through the Open Space Trust Fund, the department oversees the county park system, which consists of 18 parks covering 6,631 acres. Thirteen parks have active recreational facilities, and the department, in conjunction with the Middlesex County Improvement Authority, operates three golf course facilities.
To help maintain the vast park system and to encourage youth involvement, the Conservations Corps was developed with the mission “to protect and preserve our natural areas from misuse, polluters, and the forces of nature”. The Conservations Corps maintains the natural areas that are acquired through the Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund by cleaning up litter, maintaining trails, planting reforestation projects, and managing invasive species (Middlesex County Park System http://co.middlesex.nj.us/parksrecreation/conservcorp-job.pdf).
In addition to maintaining outdoor recreational lands, the department supports cultural activities that have been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people since 1963 through “Plays In the Park” and “Kids In the Park”. The “Plays In the Park” initiative provides the community with free plays in the summer, and the “Kids In the Park” provides elementary school children workshops that feature music, dance, games, mimes, clowns, and much more which helps to enrich the community and foster creative minds.
How Does Our Mission and Activities Relate to Sustainability?
A sustainable community is characterized by engaged citizens and healthy natural environments. By safe-guarding and maintaining open space and parkland, the department protects natural resources and provides for healthy community activities. It further fosters community engagement through cultural activities.
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/parksrecreation/
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Middlesex County Department of Transportation (MCDOT)
As the newest department of Middlesex County, the MCDOT has brought the County transportation and the Central Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Service divisions into a unified department. The purpose of this action was to consolidate passenger transportation services, vehicle maintenance, and vehicle procurement under a single agency to improve the efficiency of a variety of transportation services.
The goal of MCDOT is to develop a better integrated passenger transportation network, particularly to achieve the goal of creating a seamless system where the County passenger transportation services allow connections to the local and regional bus and rail network in Middlesex County. The department is also committed to improving the coordination of County transportation services with human service agency and municipal transportation services to meet the growing needs of all transportation dependent residents.
The key divisions in the MCDOT are the Middlesex County Area Transit (MCAT) and the Division of Central Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. The general purpose of MCAT is to make transportation available and accessible so that residents may obtain the necessities of life, including employment, post-secondary education, social and recreational activities, shopping, and non-emergency medical services. The Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Division provides maintenance and repair to more than 850 vehicles operated by a variety of county departments. Additionally, the division develops vehicle specifications for replacement vehicles and identifies new technology for providing cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicle operation. For instance, Middlesex County operates the largest fleet of hybrids (30) in New Jersey and purchases over 50,000 gallons of biodiesel annually.
How Does Our Mission and Activities Relate to Sustainability?
A sustainable transport system is affordable, operates efficiently, offers choice of transport mode, and supports a vibrant economy. This concept of a sustainable transport system falls squarely in line with Middlesex County’s objectives of reducing traffic congestion and ensuring easy access to shopping, services, and jobs through a variety of clean and convenient transportation services. The department pursues sustainability by striving to improve the delivery of new and expanded modes of passenger transportation, increase the fuel efficiency of the fleet, and reduce the adverse air quality impact of its vehicle services.
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/transportation/index.asp
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Middlesex County Educational Services
What are the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools, Community College, and Extension Services?
The Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools are in their 93rd year of providing a high standard of education to Middlesex County residents. The student body consists of nearly 8,500 residents of the county’s 25 municipalities. Through the schools’ academies, schools-within-schools, cooperative education, and community partnerships programs, students and businesses can gain valuable experience while achieving high academic standards. The Middlesex County College has over 550 courses and 80 associate programs ranging from dental hygiene to restaurant management. These associate degrees are perfect for residents that are trying to enter the workforce. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County can be found at the EARTH center in South Brunswick. It is part of a nationwide network that brings the research of the state land-grant universities to local people. The Extension’s three major program areas are agriculture, 4H youth development, and the expanded food and nutrition program.
The goal of the Middlesex County educational training facilities is to provide access to an affordable, quality education for diverse students. This includes preparing students for a quality career or college, with student achievement as the highest priority. In turn the hope is that the learning and experience that comes from these schools will strengthen the economic, social, and cultural life of the community.
How Does Our Mission and Activities Relate to Sustainability?
Education is an essential component of sustainability. Quality education enables people to improve their quality of life by giving them a wide range of ways to earn a living, spend their time, and occupy their minds. Having an educated population is also the foundation of a productive economy as well as an engaged and committed citizenry.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 87.3% of the population over 25 years of age in the county has earned at least a high school diploma, while 37.3% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. These trends show that Middlesex County residents are more educated than the national average. With a continued commitment to an affordable and quality education, Middlesex County can continue to achieve a high standard of living as well as a vibrant economy.
http://www.mcesc.k12.nj.us/
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Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA)
Created in 1990 by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Middlesex County Improvement Authority serves as a catalyst for a wide range of programs with the intention of improving the quality of life for all of those who reside in Middlesex County. Many county departments have partnered up with the MCIA to increase the efficiency of programs and save tax payers money. Some of these partnerships include efforts to offer a cooperative purchasing program with the County Purchasing Department, provide technical and legal negotiations for the Middlesex County Open Space Trust Fund, develop recycling and drop off programs with the Solid Waste Division, and offer other services, such as financing major infrastructure improvements.
How Does Our Mission and Activities Relate to Sustainability?
The Middlesex County Improvement Authority plays an important role in the County’s ability to preserve open space, redevelop abandoned and depressed areas, and educate residents about protecting the environment and good recycling practices. More than 6,800 acres have been preserved from development thanks to the assistance of the MCIA and its ability to issue bonds and finance the purchase of open space. Through the MCIA’s help with planning, project management, advisory services, grants, and financing, the County has been able to revitalize areas, which generates needed property taxes and employment in addition to promoting smart growth. The MCIA also serves as a key educator by providing free presentations to schools, businesses, clubs, and many other groups and organizations with the goal of teaching others how to protect the environment and improve recycling.
http://www.mciauth.com/
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Middlesex County Planning Department
The Middlesex County Planning Department’s primary duty is to develop and oversee a comprehensive development and growth management strategy as it affects all County facilities. The department consists of the following five divisions: the Division of Administration, Data Management, and Technical Services, the Division of Environment, Parks, and Comprehensive Planning; the Division of Land Development Review, the Division of Transportation, and the Division of Solid Waste Management.
Through the Planning Department, the County is able to manage and protect vital resources such as open space, farmland, and transportation infrastructure. The following programs and plans facilitate smart growth and protection of environmentally sensitive areas:
I.Countywide Agriculture Preservation Plan
II.Transportation Plan
III.Countywide Bicycle Pedestrian Plan
IV.Countywide Solid Waste Management Plan
V.Waste Adopt-A-Road Program
VI.Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund
VII.Recreation and Open Space Plan
VIII.Urban Forestry Advisory Committee
While the Division of Transportation oversees the planning, programming and development of transportation projects and related proposals in the County, the Division of Land Development Review examines development proposals to identify adverse effects on County roads, property, or drainage facilities. These activities control causes of flooding and other unsafe traffic conditions and hazards to the general public. The department also reviews municipal, county, and state land use decisions to evaluate impacts on all levels of infrastructure.
The Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management supervises the implementation of the County’s Solid Waste Management Plan. The plan includes a countywide inventory of the sources, composition, and quantity of solid waste and recyclables generated as well as projections of future generation. The division also keeps track of all recycling and solid waste facilities and analyzes waste collection systems and programs. The goal of the plan and related activities of the division is to ensure that the County has “prudent, consistent and environmentally sound long and short-term solid waste and recycling strategies in place” for Middlesex County places of business and residents. To this end, the division also has a household hazardous waste and battery drop off program as well as a consumer electronic drop off program to help residents properly dispose of waste. Additionally, the Division operates a mobile paper shredding van, sells backyard compost bins, recycles old tires, and collects paint products.
How Does Our Mission and Activities Relate to Sustainability?
All of the divisions under the County Planning Department work to ensure that Middlesex County is taking the proper steps to achieve a healthy and vibrant community. Development must meet the needs of county residents without jeopardizing critical natural resources that also provide for the community. Preserving farmland and open space helps to maintain a balance between developed and natural areas. In addition to encouraging walking and bicycling through its County transportation plan, the transportation division is working to ease air pollution and traffic congestion as well as minimize the need to expand roads to reduce encroachment on natural areas and decrease stormwater runoff and its negative effects on waterways. The Division of Solid Waste Management further protects these resources and public health by collecting hazardous materials and encouraging recycling to reduce the amount of trash entering the landfill as well as reductions in the amount of waste generated to save money, energy, and resources.
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/planningboard/index.asp
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Middlesex County Public Property Department
The Middlesex County Department of Public Property is responsible for overseeing operations and maintenance implementation at county-owned facilities. The department provides maintenance, repair, and janitorial services to various Middlesex County facilities. With respect to maintenance of grounds, the Public Property Department is responsible for painting, plumbing, recycling, electrical, and HVAC services. The Public Property Department also acts as a liaison to outside vendors to purchase supplies and service equipment and performs construction projects throughout the county.
How Does Our Mission and Activities Relate to Sustainability?
In order for the County to operate sustainably, attention must be given to the equipment, materials, and techniques that are used for day to day operations in various facilities throughout the county. The Department of Public Property plays an especially important role in this effort because it not only coordinates purchasing of supplies but also performs numerous operations and maintenance procedures. Since department personnel make important budgetary decisions, they can be the catalyst to begin purchasing more sustainable supplies and equipment for the County, which can lower operating costs, minimize environmental impacts, and reduce health risks. Additionally, the department can use best practices when cleaning or maintaining equipment, appliances, and landscaping to conserve resources, improve health, and save money.
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/publicproperty/index.asp
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Middlesex County Shared Services
Middlesex County has long understood the benefits of sharing services and co-operative purchasing. Through sharing services and bulk-purchasing, the County is able to reduce the cost of delivering services and save tax dollars. The office received a three year $100,000 per year grant from the State to further the goals and initiatives of the office. Several key programs that have developed from the Shared Services department are the Middlesex County Showroom of Environmental Technology, the Middlesex County Sustainability Committee, and the Common Cents Cooperative Purchasing Program.
The County Sustainability Committee, which is comprised of individuals, elected officials, business leaders, civic organizations, and community leaders, was formed in September of 2007. With a grant from the State, the Committee will draft a strategic plan for sustainable development. Sharing services and cooperative purchasing will ease some of the financial burdens of implementing green initiatives and conserve resources while at the same time encouraging them by streamlining performance at the county level and building better coordination between the state and local municipalities.
The Common Cents Cooperative Purchasing program was created almost 10 years ago to reduce operating expenses for municipalities. One of the ways that the program can save municipality’s money and resources is by purchasing natural gas, electricity, water and wastewater services, equipment services, and other supplies in bulk. The initiatives set out by MCSET, such as the Clean Air Initiative and the Solar Power Project, not only save money and resources, but provide financial incentives to buy alternative fuel vehicles, offer assistance for green building construction, and facilitate solar projects that will save money and help reduce the demand for dirty fossil fuels.
How Does Our Mission and Activities Relate to Sustainability?
Achieving sustainability requires citizen engagement. Because the department works with officials from a wide range of departments and different levels of government, the concept of sustainability and conservation can be spread far and wide. Additionally, programs like the Clean Air Initiative that allowed the county park system to replace their entire fleet with hybrid vehicles and educated municipal governments about green technologies furthered sustainability by reducing environmental and public health impacts while fostering participation in alternatives to conventional practices. By eliminating paper waste through the use of technology, the Shared Services Department in conjunction with the Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission is able to further the goals of sustainability by saving resources for future generations while at the same time increasing efficiency of services and reducing expenses.
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/sharedservices/index.asp
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Middlesex County Utility Authority (MCUA)
The Middlesex County Utility Authority is a public entity that is charged with the management of the County’s wastewater (Wastewater Division) and solid waste (Solid Waste Division) services. The MCUA has become a leader in the waste industry by implementing innovative techniques and technologies to effect responsible environmental resource management. These innovative initiatives include their landfill gas to energy project and MeadowLife bio-solids product among other cutting edge technologies.
The Solid Waste Division is responsible for operating and maintaining the 315 acre Middlesex County landfill located in East Brunswick. This is a state of the art facility with 44 groundwater monitoring wells, a double liner system, leachate and methane gas collection systems, and high-tech monitoring systems. One of the most significant accomplishments of the MCUA was putting the gas to energy system online, which is used to generate 16 megawatts of electricity. According to U.S. Department of Energy estimates, that amount of electricity can power 12,448 households each year.
The Wastewater Division maintains an efficient and environmentally sound treatment process that protects public health and the environmental integrity of the Raritan River Basin. The Division processes over 110 million gallons of wastewater per day from industrial, commercial, and residential users in Middlesex County as well as parts of Somerset and Union counties. Additionally, the division is responsible for the bio-solid treatment and recycling program, which has won several awards for its environmental achievement and continues to surpass State regulations.
How Does Our Mission and Activities Relate to Sustainability?
The MCUA’s continual commitment to protecting the environment is noteworthy. Municipal solid waste landfills are the second largest human-generated source of methane emissions in the United States; according to the Environmental Protection Agency, landfills released 30 million metric tons of carbon equivalents in 2006 alone. All landfills produce methane, and using it as a source of renewable energy is cost-effective. Producing energy from landfill gas not only avoids the need to use non-renewable resources, such as coal, oil, or natural gas, to produce the same amount of energy, but provides other benefits as well. Landfill gas to energy projects improve air quality by reducing landfill odors and explosion hazards from gas accumulation in structures on or near the landfill. Such projects can also create jobs associated with design, construction, and operation of the energy generating facilities and produce revenue from the sale of the gas. In these ways, the MCUA promotes energy efficiency, mitigates environmental impacts, and supports the local economy.
The wastewater division also contributes to sustainability by protecting public health and environmental quality. Proper treatment of sewage and wastewater is critical to maintaining wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and public welfare. The growing population of harbor seals in the Raritan Bay is just one indicator that the MCUA’s wastewater treatment process is protecting the area’s natural habitat (MCUA).
http://www.mcua.com/
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The Middlesex County Public Health Department
The Public Health Department’s mission is to promote good health and prevent disease, improve access to health services, monitor and advise as the needs for health services in the community change, and provide these services with efficiency in order to improve the health of Middlesex County residents. Services offered to County residents reflect state mandated standards and ensure both compliance and enforcement of NJDEP laws and state regulations. The Department is also responsible for developing long term goals and producing annual objectives that will enhance the quality of life for Middlesex County residents. To bring residents the highest quality of service and to ensure that all the functions of the Department are carried out efficiently, the Department has ten divisions that serve particular functions and allow the County to be preemptive rather than responsive to potential public health threats. With the divisions of environmental health, occupational health, public health inspections, and the hazardous materials unit, the Department can protect and educate the public about environmental hazards, such as the storage and disposal of hazardous materials, indoor air quality concerns, noise pollution, radon, and water pollution. It can also ensure public safety related to pools and lakes. Other divisions, such as the division of nursing, health education, and epidemiology ensure that diseases are monitored and properly treated and that the public is educated about the spread, treatment, and prevention of diseases. By monitoring and engaging the community through a multitude of programs and initiatives the Department can activity pursue its mission.
How Does Our Mission and Activities Relate to Sustainability?
A high quality of life requires that residents have access to safe and healthy environments as well as sufficient medical care. The Public Health Department not only promotes healthy lifestyles among the county’s residents but also proactively monitors environmental conditions to protect public welfare.
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/publichealth/
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