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Mercer Park Commission receives approval for Community Based Deer Management

The Mercer County Park Commission has been approved for a Community Based Deer Management (CBDM) permit from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife.

The CBDM permit allows for additional opportunities to improve forest understory and the overall ecological condition of natural areas through deer reductions beyond standard state hunting regulations. Reducing deer overpopulation also improves public safety by reducing deer-vehicle collisions.

No CBDM hunting will occur in areas that participate in the County’s traditional deer management hunting program until after the regular season concludes.

The additional measures permitted in the CBDM program will allow a professional culling firm to perform management activities during an extended season through March 31 at Howell Farm, County owned golf courses including Mountain View, Hopewell Valley, Princeton Country Club, Mercer Oaks East and West, and select regions of Mercer Meadows in Hopewell Township.

Management activities approved in the Park Commission’s permit include deer harvest by crossbow and firearm, culling during evening hours, and periodic closures for culling outside of the traditional State hunting season through March 31,2023.

At Mercer Meadows, the Curlis Woods region is included in the permit. Beginning February 19, 20245, this area will allow for crossbow culling Monday through Saturday through March 31 until 9 p.m. The Curlis Woods region will remain open to the public during this period of crossbow hunting. Park users are advised to remain on trails and wear bright colored clothing. All culling activity will take place from an elevated tree stand with a 75-foot safety buffer in place on either side of all County-recognized trails.

The Curlis Woods region will BE CLOSED to the public for shotgun culling on:

  • Wednesdays from February 21 through March 27

At County-owned golf courses including Princeton Country Club, Mountain View and Hopewell Valley Golf Courses, the permit allows for crossbow culling to take place Monday through Saturday, from sunrise until 9 p.m. January 1 though March 31. At Mercer Oaks East and West golf courses, crossbow culling may occur starting February 19 through March 31. The golf courses will be closed to the public during shotgun culling.

Golf courses will BE CLOSED to the public for shotgun culling as follows:

  • Hopewell Valley closed January 1 through January 31
  • Mercer Oaks East February 19 through February 29
  • Mountain View closed February 1 through February 29

At Howell Farm, the permit allows for extended evening culling (sunset through 9 p.m.) January 29 through March 31. Beginning in January, bow culling may take place Monday through Saturday, from sunrise to 9 p.m. until March 31. Howell Farm will be closed to the public during shotgun culling.

Howell Farm will BE CLOSED to the public for shotgun culling on:

  • Mondays January 29 through March 31
  • Tuesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. January 20 through March 29

The above dates do not include closures as part of the Park Commission’s existing deer management program. Please visit mercercountyparks.org for details on all closures for deer manage

More information can be found by visiting the Mercer County Park Commission’s Deer Management page

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Universal Display Corporation named to The Wall Street Journal’s list of Best-Managed Companies of 2023

EWING, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $OLED #OLED — Universal Display Corporation (Nasdaq: OLED) (UDC), enabling energy-efficient displays and lighting with its UniversalPHOLED® technology and materials, has been named to The Wall Street Journal’s (WSJ) Top 250 ranking of The Best-Managed Companies of 2023.

 

The annual Management Top 250 ranking of America’s best-run companies is based on a holistic measure of corporate effectiveness that was developed by the Drucker Institute and examines five dimensions of corporate performance: customer satisfaction, employee engagement and development, innovation, social responsibility and financial strength.

 

“This recognition is a testament to the dedication, passion and hard work of our incredible UDC team members and is a celebration of our commitment to excellence in every facet of our global company,” said Steven V. Abramson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Display Corporation.

 

“From our broadening portfolio of innovative and energy-efficient products and services to fostering a corporate culture of inventiveness, integrity, inclusion and collaboration, we are building on our robust leadership position in the growing OLED ecosystem. As we approach the 30th anniversary of UDC’s founding, we are excited to reach even greater heights in the future and make a lasting impact in the industry.”

 

About Universal Display Corporation

Universal Display Corporation (Nasdaq: OLED) is a leader in the research, development and commercialization of organic light emitting diode (OLED) technologies and materials for use in display and solid-state lighting applications. Founded in 1994 and with subsidiaries and offices around the world, the Company currently owns, exclusively licenses or has the sole right to sublicense more than 6,000 patents issued and pending worldwide. Universal Display licenses its proprietary technologies, including its breakthrough high-efficiency UniversalPHOLED® phosphorescent OLED technology that can enable the development of energy-efficient and eco-friendly displays and solid-state lighting. The Company also develops and offers high-quality, state-of-the-art UniversalPHOLED materials that are recognized as key ingredients in the fabrication of OLEDs with peak performance. In addition, Universal Display delivers innovative and customized solutions to its clients and partners through technology transfer, collaborative technology development and on-site training. To learn more about Universal Display Corporation, please visit https://oled.com/.

 

Universal Display Corporation and the Universal Display Corporation logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Universal Display Corporation. All other company, brand or product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks.

 

All statements in this document that are not historical, such as those relating to the projected adoption, development and advancement of the Company’s technologies, and the Company’s expected results and future declaration of dividends, as well as the growth of the OLED market and the Company’s opportunities in that market, are forward-looking financial statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements in this document, as they reflect Universal Display Corporation’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in greater detail in Universal Display Corporation’s periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, in particular, the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Universal Display Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Universal Display Corporation disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this document.

 

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AACCNJ announces new chairman and vice chair for 2024, at AACCNJ annual meeting

ISELIN, N.J. — R. Stanley Prater, Chairman, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announced that Gary Mann, CEO, Jasfel Analytics, and Tammeisha Smith, CEO, Dunbar Center will serve as Chairman of the Board and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, respectively, effective Jan. 1, 2024.

 

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Chamber’s Chairman over the last four years, and I am confident that newly elected Chairman; Gary Mann and Vice Chair; Tammeisha Smith are well positioned and the right choices to lead the Chamber into the future,” said, R. Stanley Prater.

 

“I am truly honored and humbled to step into the role of Chairman of the Board. Stan has been an exemplary steward and leader, and I extend my sincere gratitude to him”, said Gary Mann, CEO, Jasfel Analytics. “As I assume this responsibility, I am mindful of the extraordinary work of John Harmon, Founder and CEO. Standing on the shoulders of both Stan and John, I am committed to building on their incredible legacy.

 

Together, with the continued guidance of John, we will further advance and expand revenue generating opportunities and strategic relationships for African American businesses in New Jersey and beyond.”

 

“As we look ahead, I am inspired by the collective strength and diversity of talent within our membership. I firmly believe that our success is interlinked with the success of every member, said Tammeisha Smith, CEO, Dunbar Center. “Therefore, I encourage active participation, constructive feedback, and a shared commitment to our common goals. Together, we will chart a course that not only sustains our present momentum but also paves the way for a brighter, more prosperous future.”

 

“It certainly doesn’t seem like it has been four years, but it has been an absolute honour and pleasure to serve as the Vice Chairman of the Board of the African American Chamber of Commerce”, said Robert Warrington, Esq.  “It has been immensely satisfying to be a part of an organization that takes pride in highlighting daily how Black excellence in the business community continues to benefit New Jersey’s economy. I am confident that Gary Mann and Tammeshia Smith will continue to uphold that standard in the years to come as the organization continues to advocate for inclusion of its constituents in New Jersey’s economy.”

 

“We are grateful to former Chairman Stan Prater for his leadership to excellence, growth and sustainability over his tenure, he definitely made an impact on our organization”, said John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, Founder, President, & CEO, AACCNJ.

 

“And to our incoming Chairman, Gary Mann and the other officers that will join him, there remains a tremendous amount of work to be done and each of you possess the commitment and unique skills necessary to get the job done with excellence.

 

I look forward to working with each of you to design strategies that will derive value for our members and those that invest in the mission of AACCNJ while concurrently contributing to the competitiveness of New Jersey.”

 

The official Changing of the Guard ceremony/reception will take place on January 18th from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the APA Hotel in Iselin, NJ. Members only, may register at www.aaccnj.com.

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Mobile Academy’s ‘Can We Talk’ series returns with second edition: Exploring Generational Diversity

TRENTON, N.J. — The Mobile Academy of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) announces the upcoming session of its Can We Talk series.

 

Following the success of the inaugural event in January 2023, which delved into the topic of antisemitism, the second installment will focus on the theme of generational diversity.

PHOTO: Keynote Speaker and Panel Moderator: Dr. Kinna Perry, Associate Dean, Rutgers Graduate School-Newark

 

Event Details:

Title: Can We Talk: What Do You Really Know About Generational Diversity?

Host: Mobile Academy of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ)

Keynote Speaker and Panel Moderator: Dr. Kinna Perry, Associate Dean, Rutgers Graduate School-Newark

Panelists:

  • Mr. Gene Bouie, Executive Director, AACCNJ Training and Development Institute; current member and former President of the Trenton Public School District Board of Education (representing Baby Boomers)
  • Ms. Stacey Kavanagh, First Vice President, Market Manager, Provident Bank; member of AACCNJ Foundation Board of Directors (representing Generation X)
  • Mr. Kyle Holder, Vice President, Optimus Partners, LLC (representing Millennials)
  • Ms. Desiree Mitchell, student, New York University (representing Generation Z)

 

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024

Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Venue: Middlesex College, West Hall/Parkview Room, 2600 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, N.J. 08837

Cost: Free, but registration is required

 

The Can We Talk series fosters open and constructive conversations on crucial cultural topics. Accordingly, the upcoming event on generational diversity promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of the unique perspectives and experiences of different generations in today’s society. Dr. Kinna Perry, an esteemed scholar and Associate Dean at Rutgers Graduate School-Newark, will serve as the keynote speaker and panel moderator for the evening, guiding the audience through an engaging presentation and facilitating a dynamic panel discussion featuring distinguished representatives from the Baby Boomer generation to Generation Z.

 

“This event provides a rare opportunity for attendees to gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by various generations in the workplace and beyond,” stated John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, AACCNJ’s Founder, President and CEO. “The diverse panel will share personal experiences, discuss generational dynamics, and explore strategies for promoting understanding and collaboration across age groups.”

 

Can We Talk: What Do You Really Know About Generational Diversity? is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Middlesex College, West Hall/Parkview Room. Admission is free, but registration is required. To register to attend or for additional information, click here or visit https://shorturl.at/aoGP8.

 

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a pro-active advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

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Price hikes, shortages, delays of goods — an unbearable crisis for NJ residents

By Farrukh Imran, Zongheng Mo

& Sylvia Hove

 

— New Jersey is ranked the top 4th wealthiest state in the nation, yet New Jersey’s poverty levels and food insecurities surpass the Northeast averages.

 

According to America’s health rankings, New Jersey ranks 8th in the country for food insecurity, with 8.3% of households unable to provide adequate food for one or more household members due to lack of resources (America’s Health Rankings, 2023).

 

An estimated 2 million people are food insecure in N.J., with one in five children living in poverty, 8% of seniors (60+) live in poverty, and 9.8% are food insecure (Table to Table, n.d.).

 

Food insecurity has skyrocketed, especially in counties served by Table to Table, an organization that fights hunger while reducing food waste. Recent price hikes due to inflation have affected these communities immensely. (Table to Table, n.d.).

 

Companies are using discovery technology that employs AI and machine learning to map sub-tier supply chains for critical products.

 

According to Gartner, “Eighty-two percent of CEOs in supply-chain-intensive industries plan to increase investments in digital capabilities across their enterprise. Why? To support new business, improve supply chain process efficiency and productivity, enhance decision making and improve resiliency/agility amid ongoing supply chain disruption.” (Gartner, 2023)

      

 The government implemented an Inflation Reduction Act which provides tax credits and rebates to businesses and individuals. (U.S. Department of Treasury, 2023)  The Inflation Reduction Act caps prescription drug costs for hundreds of thousands of New Jersey Medicare beneficiaries, (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service, 2023).

 

The FY2024 budget includes 20 tax cuts for working and middle-class families and seniors, (State of New Jersey Office of the Governor, 2023). While each of these items are a good start,  they need to be extended and coupled with increased digital investments (New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, 2023) to meet the needs of our local businesses and ensure New Jersey benefits from the latest round of incentives from the CHIPS Act, (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2023).

 

As New Jersey emerges from the shadow of the pandemic, the ongoing supply chain crisis threatens to create another unbearable burden on residents, especially those from low-income backgrounds. Collaboration between companies and local governments offers hope for a more resilient and responsive supply chain system. It is imperative that New Jersey residents remain engaged and advocate for comprehensive solutions to this crisis, as they continue to grapple with its consequences in the aftermath of the pandemic.

 

— Rutgers University students

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D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center in Princeton announces Holiday Open House and Art Sale for Saturday

The public is invited to a Holiday Open House and Art Sale on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 1 p.m.  to 4 p.m. at D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Johnson Education Center at One Preservation Place, Princeton.

 

Internationally acclaimed MUTTS cartoons by Patrick McDonnell, watercolors by James Fiorentino, botanical florals by artist Liz Cutler, and landscape quilts by Deb Brockway will be on display.

 

Art: Mutts comic panel referencing D&R Greenway preserved land

Sales benefit the land trust’s work to preserve and care for land, maintain public trails, grow food for the hungry, and inspire a conservation ethic.

 

The public is invited to enjoy cider, hot chocolate and cookies at a Holiday Open House at D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center at One Preservation Place.  Admission is free.

Art: On the Edge – Polar Bear by James Fiorentino
Art: David and Goliath by Liz Cutler
Art: Nosing In by Deb Brockway

 

A new exhibit featuring four award-winning artists will be view and art sales will benefit the land trust’s work to preserve and care for land, maintain public trails, grow food for the hungry, and inspire a conservation ethic.

 

Internationally acclaimed cartoonist Patrick McDonnell will be on hand to sign his books as holiday gifts. Twenty-five of his MUTTS cartoon prints, featuring environmental and animal themes, signed and remarqued with original drawings, are available for holiday gift-giving.

 

These specially selected artworks illustrate McDonnell’s overriding message of compassion and kindness, much needed in today’s world. His comic strip, begun in 1994, is now in over 700 newspapers and 20 countries.  Patrick has collaborated with Jane Goodall, Eckhart Tolle, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and most recently with Marvel on a Superheroes book.

 

The lobby of the Johnson Education Center greets visitors with a large painting of a tiger, perfectly suited for Princeton University alumni.

 

Artist James Fiorentino began painting as a child and had his art featured in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., when he was just 15 years of age. He has created a set of baseball cards, as well as portraits of world heroes and celebrities.

 

He is showing his wildlife art in the Marie L. Matthews Gallery at D&R Greenway, with an emphasis on conservation of species. He will be available to talk with visitors on Dec. 9 about his experiences banding birds, observing wildlife and meeting celebrities.

 

Quilter Deb Brockway is known to many locally as a trail builder. She has participated for over a decade in building trails on preserved lands. An accomplished quilter, she turned to landscape quilting to depict the beauty she found in nature. Quilts on display show a butterfly alighting on a flower, a hiker walking past spring ephemerals on a forest path, a kayak nosing into the water with wildlife, and a cardinal attempting to camouflage among the trees. Brockway’s quilted wall hangings are beautiful to view and perfect for wintertime gift giving.

 

Retired Princeton Day School teacher Liz Cutler, who led the school’s sustainability club to inspire students to observe and care for nature, is showing her botanical art in memory of her son, Isaac. Together, they walked Greenway Meadows park throughout his lifetime. Liz turned to the meditative art of collecting and pressing flowers into unique artistic expressions during his illness. She follows the Flower Pressers Ethos to ensure that anything she collects will do no harm to the species or environment. New artwork that has never been shown before fills a dark wood room in the renovated barn that is the Johnson Education Center, bringing color to the room and a feeling of being surrounded by a wildflower meadow.

 

Plein air paintings created by the Garden State Watercolor Society will be available for purchase through a silent auction. These paintings depict different scenes from Hillside Farm, an 800-acre property with expansive views of Hopewell Valley. Hillside Farm was home to the late philanthropist Betty Wold Johnson who cared deeply about the importance of preserving as much land as possible.  Her two sons, Robert Wood Johnson, former United States ambassador to the United Kingdom and owner of the New York Jets football team; and Christopher Wold Johnson, Jets co-owner and businessman, donated the property to D&R Greenway in honor of their mother.

 

Linda Mead, CEO of D&R Greenway, who gathered these artists for this unique show and gifting opportunity, invites the public to the open house on Dec. 9.

 

“When this art went up on our walls, we were all taken aback by its individual beauty and collective magnitude. Join us to meet the artists and enjoy conversation with friends while you shop and support our mission!”

 

Information is available at www.drgreenway.org or by calling D&R Greenway at 609-924-4646.

 

About D&R Greenway Land Trust:

D&R Greenway Land Trust is an accredited nonprofit that has reached a new milestone of over 22,000 acres of land preserved throughout central New Jersey since 1989. By protecting land in perpetuity and creating public trails, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for residents of the region—including those most in need. Through strategic land conservation and stewardship, D&R Greenway combats climate change, protects birds and wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations. D&R Greenway’s mission is centered on connecting land with people from all walks of life. www.drgreenway.org; info@drgreenway.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Area Park Naturalist explains: Tap, tap, tap! Woodpeckers at work

Many of us recognize that tapping sound as belonging to a woodpecker. But do you know why they are tapping? One reason may be that they are looking for their next meal.

A woodpecker’s diet consists of a variety of wood-boring insects, such as larvae, carpenter ants, termites, and carpenter bees. These insects are readily found in dead or diseased trees and the tapping means the woodpeckers are drilling a hole to get to the insects.

However, the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, a migratory woodpecker, will tap holes into trees to lick up some tasty sap along with the insects that are also attracted to the sap.

A second reason you may hear tapping is when woodpeckers are creating cavities to nest in. They will choose dying trees, as those are easier to dig out a cavity.

You may see wood shavings at the bottom of the tree, or if you witness them excavating, you may notice wood shavings getting tossed out and floating down to the ground. Each species will create a cavity that is deep enough for their eggs and a bird to sit in.  Our smallest woodpecker, the Downy, creates an entrance hole that is only 1 ½ inches in diameter, while the largest woodpecker, the Pileated, creates an oblong cavity that is 3 ½ inches wide and 4 ¾ inches tall and takes almost 6 weeks to build.

Woodpeckers also use drumming on trees to communicate to other woodpeckers. They are alerting others that this is their territory, and also trying to attract a mate. But what does it mean when a woodpecker drums on your metal chimney? Well, this drumming sound is much louder than on a tree, like using cymbals in an orchestra, and therefore sends across a much stronger louder message.

Unfortunately, if you hear a woodpecker drumming on your siding, or see evidence of holes, it’s time to call an exterminator, because this probably means that your siding has some of those yummy insects’ woodpeckers enjoy.

Next time you go out into a forested area, listen for a tap, tap, tap, and then look carefully for woodpeckers pecking into decaying trees. Better yet, join us for a Woodpecker Walk on Friday, February 23 where we will be looking for evidence of woodpeckers and the seven different species found in Mercer County parks. Use this link to register.

— Alexandria Kosowski, Park Naturalist

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AACCNJ founder and CEO addresses 2 major business issues for upcoming NJ State elections

As statewide elections approach, the president of African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), John E. Harmon Sr., faces the essential conversations regarding Equity, Accountability and Reciprocity for Black businesses working for the State of N.J.

 

“As we approach two major upcoming elections for our state — US Senator and Governor, the question that remains unanswered is what’s in it for us?” Harmon asked in a recent op-ed.

 

The immediate reaction for some, is that Harmon is talking about the 1.2 million blacks which still have the highest poverty, unemployment low median income, home ownership of 35% and a net worth of approximately – $17,000 vs. $322,000 for white New Jersey residents, or is he referring to the over 88,000 black businesses of which only 3.5 percent have employees?

 

Perhaps he is speaking about our state legislators still allowing education, occupation, and credit scoring to be used as proxies to determine auto insurance premiums for licensed drivers. During the last legislative session, the minimum insurance coverage was raised from $15,000 to $30,000, another direct adverse impact on those with minimal disposable income in New Jersey, this was in addition to the three auto insurance premium proxies which are burdensome alone.

 

Our state also allows its taxpayers to contribute to the funding of public projects and a select group not only receives a preference when these opportunities are distributed but it’s a culture of perpetual practice. For example, in 2004 Governor McGreevey issued Executive Order Number 1[1]which allowed all public contracts to be governed by Project Labor Agreements (PLA) which only allowed for non-unionized businesses to participate up to $5 million. This Executive Order is approaching its 20th Anniversary, without any change notwithstanding the election of several US Senators and Governors since that time.

 

It is important to note, that our last two democratic presidents whose PLA thresholds at the Federal level were 5 and 7 times higher: President Obama $25 million[2] and Biden $35 million[3], than Governor McGreevey’s Executive Order threshold of $5 million in 2004. How can the Democratic Party in NJ be so misaligned on an economic agenda that it is supposedly representative of its constituency?

 

According to the Associated Builders and Contractors New Jersey Chapter, 79% of our state’s construction firms are non-union and 21% are members of a trade union. Additionally, only 2% of minority contractors are members of a trade union.

 

Furthermore, as we begin to embark on the $16 billion dollar Gateway Tunnel project which PLA threshold will take precedence, McGreevey’s five million on Biden’s $35 million.

It is time for our state and federal representatives to respond to these and other questions.

 

The time has long passed for the voters of New Jersey to have a consensus on an equitable economic agenda versus party bosses. The potential implications would not only be beneficial to blacks but to all of New Jersey’s taxpayers.

 

The above are kitchen table pocketbook issues that affect hardworking New Jerseyans every day and our current policy makers continue to remain silent on these transformational issues.

 

Trust me, we have asked these questions at every level of government and their silence is a pure insult. There is plenty of room for compromise on each of these issues.

 

So again, what will be the difference this election season because for now the status quo appears in full effect. The same old politicians seeking to advance the same old playbook.

 

We need the citizens of New Jersey from every community to muster the courage and ask the above questions now and demand an on-the-record response regarding where they stand. In the coming years there will be a tremendous amount of economic opportunity to potentially be shared. Let’s join hands and reach a consensus to improve the competitiveness of our state.

 

Thank you.

John E. Harmon Sr.

 

[1] https://nj.gov/infobank/circular/eom1.htm

[2] https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/realitycheck/the-press-office/executive-order-use-project-labor-agreements-federal-construction-projects

[3] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/02/04/executive-order-on-use-of-project-labor-agreements-for-federal-construction-projects/

 

About the African American Chamber of Commerce of N.J. 

The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) performs an essential role in the economic viability of New Jersey. While providing a platform for New Jersey’s African American business leaders, to speak with a collective voice, the AACCNJ advocates and promotes economic diversity fostering a climate of business growth through major initiatives centering on education and public policy. The Chamber serves as a proactive advocacy group with a 501(c) 3 tax exemption, which is shared by the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

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County of Mercer announces ‘Call for Artists’ to create public mural

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes and the Mercer County Division of Culture & Heritage announce that Mercer County has a public art Request for Qualifications on the CaFÉ (Call for Entry) website www.callforentry.org.

The County is issuing a Request for Qualifications (Phase 1), inviting artists/artist teams who wish to be considered to submit their interest and qualifications for the creation of a public mural by Dec. 8, 2023.

This mural is to be installed on an exterior 319 ft (w) x 19 ft (h) wall located at 600 Cass Street, Trenton, N.J., on the New Jersey State Prison. This project is known as the Mercer County Cass Street Prison Mural Project.

The initial Request for Qualifications for this project will be offered only through the CaFÉ site, which is also used by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts for the Council’s Arts Inclusion opportunities.

Artists interested in submitting qualifications for this RFQ are encouraged to immediately set up a free artist’s account on CaFÉ. This free registration gives artists access to monthly listings of public arts project opportunities in New Jersey and across the nation.

Through CaFE, artists can upload up to 100 images of their work, as well as their resumes, bios and other materials that can be used in applying for commissions announced through the website.

Questions regarding the “Call for Artists” for this RFQ may be directed through CaFE once the call is posted. Artists who would like further information regarding the Mercer County Cass Street Prison Mural Project may email the Division of Culture & Heritage at  cultureandheritage@mercercounty.org.

Scan the QR code or click the image or here to be redirected to the site.

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Hughes asks the people to support local small businesses, and check out Mercer’s new Small Business Investment Program

With its highly skilled workforce, renowned educational institutions, and high quality of life, Mercer County ranks as one of the most attractive locations to call home and to open a business.

From the retail industry to the service sector, Mercer County offers customers a large variety of quality products and services.

“As a backbone to our regional economy, there are approximately 4,500 independently owned and operated businesses in Mercer County and on this Saturday, Small Business Saturday, it is important that we consider buying from these local stores and shops,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

“Mercer County local businesses invest their dollars back into the economy. They purchase inventory and services from throughout the region and employ local residents. In addition, our Mercer County Office of Economic Development is proud to draw attention to the Mercer County Small Business Investment Program in partnership with SMBX,” Mr. Hughes added.

Through this partnership, eligible small businesses in Mercer County can apply to issue Small Business Bonds™ to their community. A bond is like a loan, but instead of borrowing money from a bank, you borrow money from everyday investors, like customers, friends and family.

SMBX supports small businesses from all industries across the US and have raised millions of dollars for restaurants, breweries, accountants, trucking companies, event planners, and others.

To learn more about the program, click here, and don’t forget to shop small this holiday season!