By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Cape May County is preparing to start construction on the second phase of a project at Cape May Airport that will help to diversify the local economy and create new jobs in the high-tech industry.
A ceremonial groundbreaking for the Tech Village II complex is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, at noon at the airport in Rio Grande. The public is invited to join the Cape May County Commissioners and other officials at the ceremony.
The project represents a major expansion of the Tech Village I complex that Cape May County launched in 2019 in partnership with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
The EDA will also be involved in the funding for the Tech Village II project, which is designed to provide “a dynamic and supportive environment for budding new industries to thrive and grow in Cape May County,” according to a county news release.
In February, the county announced the approval of a nearly $3 million EDA grant to help finance the new two-story Tech Village II project across from the Tech Village I development at the airport. The total cost of the project is about $6.3 million, the county said.
Representatives of the EDA will join county officials at the groundbreaking to speak about the project and its impact on countywide economic development.
Although summer tourism and seasonal jobs are a major part of Cape May County’s economy, the Tech Village development will help to create year-round employment for local residents while serving as an innovation hub for technology businesses such as the aviation, communications and medical industries.
“We are thrilled to be breaking ground on this exciting project that will not only support the growth of our local economy, but also foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. By providing a dedicated space for new businesses to connect, collaborate, and innovate, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for our county,” said County Commission Director Leonard Desiderio, who also serves as mayor of Sea Isle City.
County Commissioner Bob Barr, the board’s liaison to economic development, expressed thanks to the EDA and U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew for their support of the airport and the Tech Village project.
Barr emphasized that the project will help to support the county’s plans to strengthen the local economy through the fast-growing tech industry.
“This project underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the growth of emerging businesses to ensure more year-round, high-paying jobs for our area, and we are very excited for the future of this site,” he said in the county’s news release.
