Rob Reid, President

Message from the President of the Absecon Business and Commercial Development Corporation (ABCD).

Thank you so much for visiting our website!

It is an honor to serve as President of Absecon Business and Commercial Development Corporation (ABCD). Please allow me to introduce ABCD.

The purpose of our existence is to:

• Assist with the lessening the burdens of City Government by performing the tasks of attracting new businesses to the City; applying for (and securing) grants to improve the City's infrastructure; creating new jobs for City residents who are unemployed and underemployed;
• Assist with combating community economic deterioration by attracting businesses to rent/purchase vacant store fronts in the City's "downtown" section, and all the vacant properties along the major state highway which runs through the City;
• Assist with all aspects of commercial promotion and economic development which are normally and traditionally the responsibility of a municipality's Economic Development Department;
• Petition for and receive City monies to assist in the promotion of business and commercial development;
• Promote Absecon as an exciting place to live, to shop and locate business and light industry; and
• Create and/or identify funding sources, and receive, administer and distribute funds in connection with any activities related to the above purposes.

ABCD was founded in 1994. As a founding trustee, I am proud to see that we are still an active, successful non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation after 14 years.

Each year we have sponsored the Downtown Fair to promote Absecon as an exciting place to live, to shop and to promote economic development on our downtown main street "New Jersey Avenue". About every other year ABCD sponsors the Absecon Telephone Directory. In 1999, with the vision of Mayor Pete Elco, ABCD also sponsored the downtown "Clock Plaza". The purpose was to encourage more pedestrian activity with a "sense of place" mini-park on New Jersey Avenue.

Now we need to do much more. With the help of residents and the business community we can. If you wish to join ABCD and serve on a committee to help advance ABCD's purposes listed above, please contact me at the number below.

ABCD is pleased to support past recommendations of the Absecon Planning Board in the 1999 and the 2005 Master Plans and recommended Land Development Ordinances which offer new development opportunities to encourage economic growth. Development opportunities have been enhanced as the result of the new land development ordinances. ABCD is offering guidance to all interested parties, residents, the business community and land developers. Details of the Absecon Land Development Ordinance and the land development approval process will be shared. The ordinances recommended by the Planning Board are designed to simulate investment by the private sector. Mix-used commercial /residential two to five story buildings are permitted in the downtown commercial district. Please call me to schedule an individual appointment or a presentation before your business or civic group to learn more. You call reach me at 609-569-9000.

On July 24, 2007 the Planning Board adopted fourteen (14) new ordinances recommended by the Master Plan. Copies of ordinances have been forwarded to City Council for adoption.
CLICK HERE for a list containing each of the proposed ordinances which you can view individually in PDF format.
CLICK HERE to view a PDF file containing all of the proposed ordinances.

Considering expanding your business or proposing development in Absecon? Absecon City Planning Board Planner will meet with you informally at no cost. CLICK HERE for a copy of the Informal Meeting Request form to schedule a meeting.

Sincerely,

Rob Reid, President
Absecon Business and Commercial Development Corporation