FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, August 21, 2014

Christie Administration Announces 2014 NJ Governor's Conference on Housing and Economic Development

This Year’s Conference Theme – “Restoring Our Past, Building Our Future”



TRENTON, N.J. – Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III today announced that registration is open for the 2014 NJ Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development being held on Monday, September 22 and Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City. 

"We are proud to present this year’s conference which provides an opportunity to stay up-to-date on the most relevant issues and topics on Housing and Economic Development in our State," said Commissioner Constable. "We welcome our partners including housing and economic development professionals, government officials, lenders, non-profits and consultants to join us for a refreshing and informative conference that will provide valuable networking opportunities."

On Monday, September 22, the conference will kick off with a variety of breakout sessions in which participants can choose from 24 different educational workshops in areas such as housing for the future, property management, economic development, programs and practices in New Jersey and State and federal resources. During the conference, attendees are able to participate in an interactive trolley tour of Atlantic City where they will learn first-hand about exciting housing and economic development activities being undertaken throughout the City and take away helpful tools and knowledge that can be used in communities across the State. There is also an opportunity to visit conference exhibitors on the trade show floor, listen to our Keynote Luncheon speaker, and to attend a networking reception.

Session highlights include the following:

Best Practices in Housing Development

During this workshop, experienced developers will share their insights on how to plan, finance, construct and ultimately market housing in communities throughout New Jersey. There will be an opportunity to hear about the challenges and opportunities associated with housing development, including rental, for-sale and special needs housing from both for-profit and non-profit developers. Topics will include leveraging of multiple funding sources and developing public-private partnerships. Panelists will discuss "best practices" including "green" and LEED, transit access, and most importantly, the positive local impacts of housing done "the right way."

Keep It In ComplianceThis session will offer valuable information related to keeping rental properties in compliance and will cover topics such as TRACS 202D, EIV and more. The session will be especially helpful for managing agents and site managers looking to hear the latest occupancy industry updates.

Spurring Community Investment and Job Creation - Economic Opportunity Act of 2013New Jersey's economic toolkit has successfully increased ratables by attracting new jobs and private investment to communities, restoring underutilized assets and leveraging existing infrastructure. This panel will feature State and local officials, economic development practitioners, developers and businesses that have utilized incentives to advance transformative projects in communities throughout New Jersey. The panel will also highlight the Economic Opportunity Act of 2013 and its promise for the future.

Creative Mixed-Use Project Design: Models of Effective Housing, Economic Development and Mixed Use DevelopmentPresented by successful developers and experts, this session will review project case studies of innovative urban and suburban mixed-use developments, as well as creative approaches to financing. The panelists will discuss unique project challenges, how each was addressed, as well as tools that can be used in communities to finance cutting edge, mixed-use developments.

Leveraging Your Resources

The most challenging aspect of development in today’s economic climate is the successful structure of the capital stack. The key to building a profitable capital stack is the ability to effectively leverage multiple funding sources. This session will highlight several successful projects that were able to utilize a variety of funding sources to create developments that have positively benefitted their communities.

The conference will wrap up on Tuesday, September 23, with additional breakout sessions followed by brunch and the Governor’s Excellence in Housing and Economic Development Awards.

This year’s keynote luncheon speaker is John F. Palmieri, Executive Director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Mr. Palmieri has more than 30 years of public service experience in urban development from three East Coast cities including Boston, MA, Hartford, CT and Charlotte, NC. Mr. Palmieri is a graduate of Temple University and holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Rhode Island.

The 2014 Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development is hosted by the Department of Community Affairs, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The conference is self-sustaining, funded entirely through sponsorship opportunities and registration fees.

Registration is now open for the 2014 Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development. For more information or to register, log on to http://www.state.nj.us/dca/hmfa/home/conference/index.htm.