Our ProjectsFrom Policy to Prosperity
From Policy to Prosperity
Our Projects Make Growth Happen
Over the past three decades, Economic Development Strategists LLC has partnered with dozens of municipalities, development corporations, and private organizations to transform vision into progress. From launching Special Improvement Districts to securing multimillion-dollar grants, our work has generated lasting impact across New Jersey and beyond. Below is a selection of standout projects that demonstrate the diversity, depth, and measurable results of our approach to economic development.
Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
Client: City of Jersey City
Objective: Create a five-year strategic framework to guide urban revitalization, enterprise zone development, and private sector investment in Jersey City.
Approach: Led the development of a citywide plan covering business retention, public-private partnerships, job creation strategies, and the optimization of Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) incentives.
Results:
• Attracted hundreds of millions in private investment
• Expanded enterprise zone business participation
• Created thousands of local jobs
• Strengthened Jersey City’s long-term economic foundation
Hudson County Planning Department
Client: Hudson County Planning Department
Objective: To develop a comprehensive strategy that promotes regional economic growth and positions Hudson County for federal and state funding opportunities.
Approach: Prepared a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and Foreign Trade Zone studies, identifying key industry clusters, infrastructure priorities, and incentive programs to support long-term economic resilience.
Results:
• Enhanced Hudson County’s eligibility for U.S. EDA and state-level funding
• Strengthened collaboration among municipalities and regional partners
• Provided a clear roadmap for sustainable, data-driven economic growth
Historic Downtown Special Improvement District, Jersey City
Client: Historic Downtown Special Improvement District, Jersey City
Objective: Strengthen the economic vitality of Historic Downtown Jersey City through improved district management, business attraction, and strategic coordination with city and state partners.
Approach: Provided strategic consulting to the Historic Downtown SID, guiding initiatives focused on business retention, district operations, and public-private collaboration. Work included coordinating with municipal departments, advising on revitalization strategies, and supporting programs designed to enhance the district’s commercial environment and pedestrian activity.
Served in government and corporate relations capacity to advocate for downtown revitalization and review legislation impacting business districts, ensuring Jersey City’s downtown priorities aligned with broader statewide policy developments.
Results:
• Increased business participation and district investment
• Enhanced downtown appearance and pedestrian activity
• Established a sustainable management model for continued growth
• Strengthened policy alignment, benefiting local business districts by improved coordination with city and statewide partners
Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce (Asbury Park, NJ)
Client: Greater Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce
Objective: Reinvigorate the city’s economic and cultural landscape.
Approach: Reorganized the Chamber, partnered with arts organizations
Results:
• Sparked arts-based revitalization
• Fostered downtown renewal
• Repositioned Asbury Park as a cultural and commercial destination
Deep Foods – NJEDA Grow NJ Tax Credit Award
Client: Deep Foods, Inc.
Objective: Secure state incentive funding to support Deep Foods’ expansion and manage all compliance requirements associated with the NJEDA Grow NJ program.
Approach: EDS prepared the complete application for the Grow New Jersey Assistance Act Tax Credit Program, coordinating all required financial and project documentation. After approval, EDS assumed full grant management, serving as the primary point of contact with NJEDA and overseeing all reporting and compliance activities. This included progress submissions, project status updates, coordination with accountants and attorneys, and ongoing communication with state officials.
Results:
• Deep Foods awarded a $26.9 million NJEDA Grow NJ tax credit
• All compliance, reporting, and documentation are maintained in good standing
• Streamlined communication between Deep Foods and NJEDA
• Supported timely progress and continued eligibility throughout the project lifecycle
Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
Client: City of Jersey City
Objective: Create a five-year strategic framework to guide urban revitalization, enterprise zone development, and private sector investment in Jersey City.
Approach: Led the development of a citywide plan covering business retention, public-private partnerships, job creation strategies, and the optimization of Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) incentives.
Results:
• Attracted hundreds of millions in private investment
• Expanded enterprise zone business participation
• Created thousands of local jobs
• Strengthened Jersey City’s long-term economic foundation
Hudson County Planning Department
Client: Hudson County Planning Department
Objective: To develop a comprehensive strategy that promotes regional economic growth and positions Hudson County for federal and state funding opportunities.
Approach: Prepared a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and Foreign Trade Zone studies, identifying key industry clusters, infrastructure priorities, and incentive programs to support long-term economic resilience.
Results:
• Enhanced Hudson County’s eligibility for U.S. EDA and state-level funding
• Strengthened collaboration among municipalities and regional partners
• Provided a clear roadmap for sustainable, data-driven economic growth
Historic Downtown Special Improvement District, Jersey City
Client: Historic Downtown Special Improvement District, Jersey City
Objective: Strengthen the economic vitality of Historic Downtown Jersey City through improved district management, business attraction, and strategic coordination with city and state partners.
Approach: Provided strategic consulting to the Historic Downtown SID, guiding initiatives focused on business retention, district operations, and public-private collaboration. Work included coordinating with municipal departments, advising on revitalization strategies, and supporting programs designed to enhance the district’s commercial environment and pedestrian activity.
Served in government and corporate relations capacity to advocate for downtown revitalization and review legislation impacting business districts, ensuring Jersey City’s downtown priorities aligned with broader statewide policy developments.
Results:
• Increased business participation and district investment
• Enhanced downtown appearance and pedestrian activity
• Established a sustainable management model for continued growth
• Strengthened policy alignment, benefiting local business districts by improved coordination with city and statewide partners
Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce (Asbury Park, NJ)
Client: Greater Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce
Objective: Reinvigorate the city’s economic and cultural landscape.
Approach: Reorganized the Chamber, partnered with arts organizations
Results:
• Sparked arts-based revitalization
• Fostered downtown renewal
• Repositioned Asbury Park as a cultural and commercial destination
Deep Foods – NJEDA Grow NJ Tax Credit Award
Client: Deep Foods, Inc.
Objective: Secure state incentive funding to support Deep Foods’ expansion and manage all compliance requirements associated with the NJEDA Grow NJ program.
Approach: EDS prepared the complete application for the Grow New Jersey Assistance Act Tax Credit Program, coordinating all required financial and project documentation. After approval, EDS assumed full grant management, serving as the primary point of contact with NJEDA and overseeing all reporting and compliance activities. This included progress submissions, project status updates, coordination with accountants and attorneys, and ongoing communication with state officials.
Results:
• Deep Foods awarded a $26.9 million NJEDA Grow NJ tax credit
• All compliance, reporting, and documentation are maintained in good standing
• Streamlined communication between Deep Foods and NJEDA
• Supported timely progress and continued eligibility throughout the project lifecycle
"Built it and they will come!"
– Stuart Koperweis
– Stuart Koperweis
From New York to New Jersey
Special Improvement Districts
Community Transformation Projects
Objective: Establish and manage Business/Special Improvement Districts (BIDs/SIDs)
to drive local investment and business retention.
Approach: Conducted feasibility studies, developed SID models,
secured stakeholder buy-in, and managed district operations.
Impact: Created vibrant, self-sustaining districts that
foster entrepreneurship and beautification.
Served 35+ Districts / Municipalities
• Princeton Business Alliance, Princeton
• Fort Lee Business District Alliance, Fort Lee
• Hoboken Business Alliance, Hoboken
• Belmar Business Partnership, Belmar
• Main Street Business Alliance, Inc., Hackensack
• Flemington Business Improvement District, Flemington
• Bergenfield SID, Bergenfield
• Merchantville Partnership, Merchantville
• Journal Square Restoration Corporation, Jersey City
• Central Avenue, Jersey City
• McGinley Square, Jersey City
• Historic Downtown, Jersey City
• Ridgewood Business Alliance, Ridgewood
• Cedar Lane Management Group, Teaneck
• Bloomfield Center Alliance, Bloomfield
• Township of Teaneck, Cedar Lane SID, Teaneck
• Keyport Bayfront Business Cooperative, Keyport
• Englewood SID, Englewood
• Highlands Business Partnership, Highlands
• Mount Prospect Partnership, Newark
• Bayonne Economic Development Corp, Bayonne
• Carteret Business Partnership, Carteret
• City of East Orange, East Orange
• River Road Improvement Corp Newark, Newark
• Bergen County Economic Development Corp, Bergen County
• Netcong Community Partnership, Netcong
• Perth Amboy Business Improvement District, Perth Amboy
• Elizabeth Avenue SID, Elizabeth
• Hackensack Upper Main Alliance, Hackensack
• Paterson Economic Development Corp, Paterson
• Tenafly Business Improvement District, Tenafly
• Trenton Downtown Association, Trenton
• Rahway Center Partnership, Rahway
• City of Linden, Northeastern New Jersey
• Borough of Caldwell, Essex County
• Borough of Fairlawn, Bergen County
• Borough of Haledon, Passaic County
• Borough of Eatontown, Monmouth County
• Village of Harrison, Hudson County
• Historic Botany Village, Clifton
• City of Asbury Park, Asbury Park
• Red Bank Partnership, Red Bank
Served 35+ Districts / Municipalities
• Princeton Business Alliance, Princeton
• Fort Lee Business District Alliance, Fort Lee
• Hoboken Business Alliance, Hoboken
• Belmar Business Partnership, Belmar
• Main Street Business Alliance, Inc., Hackensack
• Flemington Business Improvement District, Flemington
• Bergenfield SID, Bergenfield
• Merchantville Partnership, Merchantville
• Journal Square Restoration Corporation, Jersey City
• Central Avenue, Jersey City
• McGinley Square, Jersey City
• Historic Downtown, Jersey City
• Ridgewood Business Alliance, Ridgewood
• Cedar Lane Management Group, Teaneck
• Bloomfield Center Alliance, Bloomfield
• Township of Teaneck, Cedar Lane SID, Teaneck
• Keyport Bayfront Business Cooperative, Keyport
• Englewood SID, Englewood
• Highlands Business Partnership, Highlands
• Mount Prospect Partnership, Newark
• Bayonne Economic Development Corp, Bayonne
• Carteret Business Partnership, Carteret
• City of East Orange, East Orange
• River Road Improvement Corp Newark, Newark
• Bergen County Economic Development Corp, Bergen County
• Netcong Community Partnership, Netcong
• Perth Amboy Business Improvement District, Perth Amboy
• Elizabeth Avenue SID, Elizabeth
• Hackensack Upper Main Alliance, Hackensack
• Paterson Economic Development Corp, Paterson
• Tenafly Business Improvement District, Tenafly
• Trenton Downtown Association, Trenton
• Rahway Center Partnership, Rahway
• City of Linden, Northeastern New Jersey
• Borough of Caldwell, Essex County
• Borough of Fairlawn, Bergen County
• Borough of Haledon, Passaic County
• Borough of Eatontown, Monmouth County
• Village of Harrison, Hudson County
• Historic Botany Village, Clifton
• City of Asbury Park, Asbury Park
• Red Bank Partnership, Red Bank
Results across districts
Enhanced streetscapes and public amenities
Boosted small business visibility and foot traffic
Facilitated access to grants, sponsors, and state support
Built models for long-term community sustainability
Let the Results Speak for Themselves.