www.greatertrenton.org ......................................... September 2018
State Capital Building
Note from the CEO
In this month’s Greater Trenton newsletter, you'll find some exciting new developments surrounding efforts to help catalyze Trenton's revitalization efforts including the City and State's role, our organization's role, and the roles of other people and entities in, and around, Trenton. You will also find information on a number of note worthy events reflecting Trenton's diverse arts & cultural scene being held at venues like Trenton War Memorial, BSB Arts Gallery, Mill Hill Park and others.

Finally, we received an overwhelmingly positive response concerning our TrentonDaily publication, which continues to grow both in readership and scope. If you haven’t already done so, please sign up to receive daily news alerts by clicking here or reach out to Bryan Evans, our Vice President of Marketing and Communications with any questions you may have. 
On behalf of all of us at Greater Trenton, thank you for your continued support and we hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter!

Best,

George

George D. Sowa
Chief Executive Officer
GREATER TRENTON
Capital City Awarded Grant to Develop Innovation Campus
New Jersey's Capital City will be one of nine communities to receive an award from New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to advance plans to strengthen its local innovation ecosystem through the pilot round of the Innovation Challenge.

The City of Trenton will receive $100,000 to plan the Trenton Production and Knowledge Innovation Campus (TPKIC) in the city's creative, education, and transit districts, anchored by a build out of Mercer County Community College's James Kerney Campus as a multi-university collaborative hub and a new research and commercialization complex near the Trenton Transit Center.
Mayor Reed Gusciora is working in partnership with Mercer County Improvement Authority, Trenton Public Schools, Greater Trenton and New Jersey Futures. This partnership will be led by a consortium of all five institutions of higher education in Mercer County: Princeton University, Thomas Edison State University, Mercer County Community College, Rider University, and The College of New Jersey.

Greater Trenton played an instrumental role in the submission process for this award. "We look forward to assisting the city and others in bringing this project to successful completion," said George Sowa, CEO of Greater Trenton.
NJ Governor Signs Executive Order to Help Aid Trenton's Revitalization
Governor Phil Murphy signed an Executive Order establishing the New Jersey State Capital Partnership, an initiative designed to harness state support and resources to spur economic development in Trenton and help chart a new course for New Jersey’s capital city.

The New Jersey State Capital Partnership is designed to provide an effective and efficient mechanism for the state to join with city and county government to create and execute strategies for economic development. The partnership will be tasked with working in consultation with the offices of the Mayor and the Mercer County Executive to pursue a wide-range of objectives, including:

  • Reviewing the city’s long-range Master Plan, Trenton250, and identifying funding and resources to implement those initiatives;
  • Creating an action plan for the redevelopment of state properties in downtown Trenton and around transit centers that support a mix of residential, office, and/or retail uses;
  • Developing initiatives to support new market-rate housing in downtown Trenton;
  • Aligning state resources to implement Trenton’s vision for the Capital Park and access to the waterfront;
  • Supporting public safety initiatives;
  • Attracting private capital into Trenton’s Opportunity Zones;
  • Attracting federal grant funding for infrastructure plans;
  • Integrating institutions of higher education within Mercer County into revitalization and workforce development
  • strategies; and
  • Utilizing the arts, culture and historical assets to attract visitors to downtown Trenton.

“I think this executive order goes a long way toward forging a true partnership between the Capital City and the State,” said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. “In the past, one side or the other may have been striving for this collaborative approach, but rarely have two administrations been on the same page as much as myself and Governor Murphy. I applaud his proactive measures to quickly reestablish Trenton as the prime example of New Jersey’s government working for the people it serves.”

The partnership will be facilitated by the Department of the Treasury and will bring together the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Department of Transportation (DOT), NJ Transit, the Economic Development Authority (EDA), the Department of Law and Public Safety (LPS), and other appropriate state agencies, to establish a framework for aligning state resources with the City of Trenton’s plans for development.

“We’re excited about the great leadership, energy and renewed focus around reinvigorating our capital city,” said George Sowa, CEO of Greater Trenton. “This signals another key step toward a reimagined and revitalized Trenton – one that aligns state, county and city interests. Working closely with key business, community and government leaders, we believe it’s only a matter of time before Trenton realizes its full potential as a truly unique and attractive business, residential and tourist destination.”
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN TRENTON?
The Capital City Farmers Market
Now - October 25, 2018
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Capital City Farmers Market runs every Thursday through October 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mill Hill Park. Each week the market draws around 2,000 visitors — workers from the surrounding state/government offices and private businesses, as well as residents and tourists. 

The market features Jersey Fresh farm produce and regional producers, artisanal food, specialty produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, jewelry, all natural body and face care products, and much more.
Mill Hill Park
165 E. Front Street
Trenton, NJ
Trenton Art Puzzle
October 5th - October 26th, 2018

Join BSB Gallery Friday, October 5th, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. for light fall themed fare, kid-friendly activities, and to check out the Trenton Art Puzzle!

BSB Gallery will be open to showcase the Trenton Art Puzzle Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Oct 5th thru Oct 26th. For updates: www.BSBGALLERY.com, bsbgallery@trenton-downtown.com.

The Trenton Art Puzzle is A COMMUNITY-CREATED PUBLIC ART EXHIBITION PROJECT designed to foster recognition of the unique shape of the City of Trenton and create civic pride in the Old Trenton neighborhood. Like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, each member of the community is unique, and together they make up something extraordinary.
Sponsored by I Am Trenton & Isles.
The exhibit is presented in partnership with Local Artists Bruce Lindsay & Aylin Green and the Trenton Downtown Association.
The BSB Gallery
143 East State Street, Ste 4 | Trenton, NJ
The Music of Elton John with Michael Cavanaugh in Trenton
October 6, 2018
7:30 p.m.

Michael Krajewski, Conductor

Since 2002, the Philly POPS has performed an annual benefit concert at the Trenton War Memorial in support of Morris Hall and St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center.

In 2018, the POPS will play The Music of Elton John with Michael Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh and his energetic band, last seen in Trenton in 2016's Music of Billy Joel, will rock Elton John’s greatest hits, including “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Your Song,” “Candle in the Wind,” “Crocodile Rock,” and, of course, “Philadelphia Freedom".
An in-demand artist who tours the globe, Cavanaugh earned Grammy and Tony nominations as the lead in Broadway’s Movin’ Out. Music Director Michael Krajewski leads this tribute to Elton John, complemented with music by his contemporaries: Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend, and many more.

Patriots Theater at the Trenton War Memorial
1 Memorial Dr., Trenton, NJ 08608
Step Right Up!
October 20, 2018
6:00 p.m.

Trenton Circus Squad’s annual benefit performance. An eventful evening full with food, drinks, dancing, and entertainment provided by Trenton Circus Squad Members.

Trenton Circus Squad
About Trenton Circus Squad
Trenton Circus Squad is a program for Trenton youth, age 6-18, that inspires them to take big leaps by introducing them to circus arts and pushing them to serve the community in fun, entertaining ways.
Pioneer Songs
November 20, 2018
7:45 p.m.

Just imagine- it’s 1841 and you decide to make a journey from the American frontier to California to make a better life for yourself. It’s 2,000 miles away, and it will take you 6 months through the desolate prairie, treacherous mountains, and unforgiving desert. You’ll be traveling entirely through unsettled lands- no towns to stop in for resupply or rest. You have to make it on just the handful of things you can fit in your wagon train, and live off the land. Five gifted soloist, including international superstar soprano Carla Maffioletti, will lead you on this perilous adventure across America in Pioneer Songs, an epic 15-song musical event.
Patriots Theater at the Trenton War Memorial
1 Memorial Dr., Trenton, NJ 08608

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