The Bayonne Chamber of Commerce’s expansion outward in a regionalization effort – and working with Jersey City and county government to attract more businesses – were the main thrusts of speakers at a summer event at the Liberty House restaurant in Jersey City on Thursday, Aug. 7.
New Jersey is a great state to do business in “and the reason is that business has no borders,” said Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop at the gathering.
Fulop, in office 13 months, cited governments working together in Hudson County as “the roadway to moving forward.”
The mayor said that Jersey City will soon have the 20 largest buildings in the state, and in the next census will be the largest city in New Jersey.
“And I can tell you that with all that happening in Jersey City, we need Bayonne to flourish,” Fulop said.
The mayor said he is excited about working with the Bayonne Chamber and with the newly seated Bayonne municipal administration of Mayor James Davis.
“When business comes to Bayonne, it benefits Jersey City,” Fulop said. “When business comes to Jersey City, it benefits Bayonne.”
Bayonne Chamber President Vincent Virga said that Bayonne is no longer the city that people like the Carnegies and Rockefellers donated to. Attracting and keeping business now takes a proactive effort.
“We can no longer have an isolationist thinking,” Virga said. “We need to be more regionalized.”
Promoting the Peninsula City’s chamber as a more regional chamber of commerce will allow the group and Bayonne to prosper, according to Virga. Encouraging those not already members of the organization to join is the first step.
“I’m flattered when I look around the room,” he said of the 115 attendees.
Davis said he has put the word out that Bayonne is open for business.
“It’s all about jumpstarting our city,” he said. “With the help of the Chamber of Commerce, that’s how we’re going to change Bayonne.”
The new mayor pledged his cooperation in assisting the business community during his administration.
“We’re here to help you. I’m here, and I have an open-door policy with everyone in this room,” Davis said. “We’ll make sure things work for everyone who wants to be in Bayonne.”
County cooperation
County Executive Tom DeGise told the story of young friends who are leaving Jersey City to begin their lives together – in Bayonne.
DeGise said that the city has always been known for being a place where a young couple can begin and raise a family, or start a business.
“There’s a sense of community,” DeGise said. “I’m looking forward to working with the Davis administration, like with all the mayors of Hudson County.”
Part of that will be using the county’s high credit rating to implement projects for Bayonne and save money on them for the city, according to DeGise.
“As glorious as the history of Bayonne is, the future is looking even better,” he said.
Summer event sponsors
Summer event sponsors included CarePoint Health, Bayonne Community Bank, Provident Bank, PFS Wealth Management Group, Sonic, Exit on the Hudson Realty, Online, Public Service Electric and Gas, and A+ Temps & Personnel.
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