Friday morning, January 22^nd, the Hanover Township Economic Development Committee met at town hall for their initial meeting.

 

This is a first for Hanover, a town that has a long reputation for non-development. But in these economic times with more and more towns loosing rateables to tax appeals and no new growth, Hanover has re-focused on the mission to attract and fast track, quality corporations and businesses into their boarders. “The shift of the tax burden from our commercial rateables to now residential is not acceptable,” says John Sheridan, mayor of Hanover Township.

 

The EDAC is comprised of 7 regular members and 4 alternates, all from the community. The representation on the committee spans persons with direct experience and exposure to the corporate world, as well as members of the governing body. The fundamental purpose will be to attract new corporate neighbors The EDAC will be chaired by past Hanover Township mayor, Ron Francioli, who has a history of knowledge on projects and proposals that were before the township, but for one reason or the other, stalled. “We will begin phase one by attempting to revitalize those approved projects that we left sitting on the shelf,” he said.

 

The mission is simple and clear; to search out and attract desirable businesses from around the state and country who are seeking to re-locate, and to invite them to look at Hanover. Hanover has much to offer in the way of low taxes, quality services and utilities, along with a transportation road system second to none.

 

With the loss of Lucent / Alcatel, the town’s largest tax payer, Hanover is taking an aggressive posture to change its image and offer potential new neighbors assistance through the townships approval processes. . Rather than a closed door policy, Hanover will partner with those companies that they find are desirable and who would make an attractive addition to the rateable base.

 

The EDAC will regularly meet and the meeting dates will be published shortly. The strength of the program will center on outreach and public relations in an effort to now market Hanover Township to the business community.