We're here to help your business

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes wants you to know that If you are seeking to start a new career as a small-business owner or if you would like to grow and expand your existing business, our Office of Economic Development is a good resource to get you started. Through a variety of different programs, we can make the task of refining a business plan; examining financial options; or identifying space a little less daunting.

In 2019, our office will continue to offer free and informative business workshops. As you may know, in October and December 2018, we began hosting these informative sessions that brought government and business officials together for topics ranging from grants and training assistance by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to duty and logistics incentives offered by our Foreign Trade Zone.

Make the Mercer County Office of Economic Development your "first stop" in answering all of your business-related questions. Feel free to contact us at 609-989-6555 or at acarabellijr@mercercounty.org.

-- Anthony P. Carabelli Jr., Director, Office of Economic Development

Please mark your calendars! In March, we will provide insight into the leading industries in our region. Our first Mercer County Industry Update, scheduled for March 28 from 8 to 10 a.m. at Mercer Oaks and in partnership with the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, will feature welcoming remarks from County Executive Brian M. Hughes; and a panel discussion from representatives in the Healthcare, Insurance, Financial and Pharmaceutical sectors. Attendees will learn about the challenges faced; industry trends; and short-term forecasts for those particular industries.

For more information or to register, please contact the County’s Business Advocate, Darren Stewart, at darrenstewart@mercercounty.orgg or visit the Princeton Regional Chamber website.

A major announcement will also be made at this event!

For more than a decade, the Mercer County Office of Economic Development has partnered with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at The College of New Jersey. Through two business counseling and technical assistance programs, our office is better able to reach County entrepreneurs and current businesses owners.

Led by Director Lorraine Allen, the SBDC works with our office and the business community on workshops, events and one-on-one counseling.

Some specific SBDC services include the following:

• Understanding the structure and use of a business plan
• Learning business operations, technology and computerization
• Expanding through financing
• Preparing for e-commerce
• Developing marketing strategies
• Complying with licensing and regulations
• Increasing sales
• Understanding human resources issues
• Implementing diversity and inclusion programs
• Navigating government processes
• Connecting and evaluate professional services
• Participating in international trade

If you are interested in learning more or to schedule a one-to-one seminar with an SBDC consultant, please contact the SBDC at 609-771-2947 or email programs@sbdcnj.com.

The County also partners with SBDC on the New Jersey Latino Business Center. The County and its partners at the SBDC are dedicated to supporting aspiring and existing County-based Latino businesses through one-to-one management assistance and educational programs. All programs are presented in Spanish and include how to start your own business, financial management tools, business plan basics, access to financing, social media marketing, etc. All counseling begins with a first-meeting assessment in Spanish followed by a specific expert counsel either delivered directly in Spanish or via an interpreter. This program has a grass-roots approach to working effectively with the Latino business community, meeting and greeting business owners, sharing the county program and encouraging counsel. For more information on the Center, please contact the SBDC Coordinator, Lilian Mauro, at 609-771-2096.

For the first time since 2005, Mercer County welcomed its third Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operator. Aurobindo, Pharma USA, Inc. was approved for the right to utilize Mercer County Foreign Trade Zone 200. Based in East Windsor, Aurobindo recently completed the construction of a new 567,000-square-foot facility that contains distribution activities and formulation and packaging of pharmaceutical products.

Aurobindo will import its pharmaceutical products from Hyderabad, India. The FTZ in Mercer County will provide the company with significant duty and logistical benefits.

On Feb. 11, representatives from Aurobindo met with Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes and other County officials for an informative session and a facility tour.

To learn more about our FTZ program, please contact our office at 609-989-6049 or download a brochure at Mercer County FTZ.

On Jan. 24, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes delivered his annual State of the County Address where he discussed some of his administration’s accomplishments, as well as “unfinished business” he plans to focus on, including the building of a new passenger terminal at Trenton-Mercer Airport; reaching a conclusion on the fate of the County Correction Center; and continuing his administration’s ongoing effort to support the County’s most vulnerable residents.