NJBIA Vice President of Government Affairs Christopher Emigholz joined Rep. Mikie Sherrill and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at the County College of Morris on Thursday to highlight the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill signed by President Biden.
For New Jersey, it will mean over $12 billion for New Jersey’s roads, bridges, and public transit, plus regional infrastructure improvements like the Gateway Tunnel and airports around the state.
Buttigieg discussed the infrastructural bill as a “generational investment” that will ultimately help improve supply chain issues and reduce inflation.
“NJBIA has always supported pro-growth investments in infrastructure, workforce development and innovation, and this federal funding supports all three.” NJBIA Vice President of Government Affairs Christopher Emigholz said.
The officials joined CCM students and staff to witness robots and computerized machinery at the school’s Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Center.
Also in attendance were other county college representatives, K-12 and labor leaders, and representatives from NJMEP. All are involved in the NJ Pathways program, a workforce development partnership led by Dr. Aaron Fichtner, president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, and NJBIA.
“The community colleges’ Career Pathways program and specifically President (Anthony) Iacono’s focus at CCM on workforce needs and public-private partnerships is a great example of workforce development best practices occurring in New Jersey,” Emigholz said. “Showcasing that to Congresswoman Sherrill and Secretary Buttigieg hopefully help improve workforce development policies going forward.”
Sherrill also highlighted childcare issues, as she recently did at a recent NJBIA Meet the Decision Makers event. NJBIA has also been advocating for childcare support with the State Legislature.
