Haddonfield Awarded Main Street Designation
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs announced the designation of four new communities to the Main Street New Jersey (MSNJ) Program, an initiative aimed at encouraging and supporting the revitalization of downtown business districts throughout the state.
With the designation, downtown districts in Millburn, Plainfield, Princeton and Haddonfield can now receive technical assistance and training in how to strengthen their main streets as centers of community and economic activity.
“We are incredibly excited to announce four new MSNJ Districts and look forward to assisting these communities as part of the MSNJ program,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “The MSNJ designation focuses on developing partnerships between local small business owners, entrepreneurs, and communities to foster public and private reinvestment in their historic New Jersey downtowns.”
The MSNJ designation allows communities to receive on- and off-site technical assistance and training in downtown revitalization and management. MSNJ communities can also apply for grant opportunities to assist with physical improvement projects, operational support, and the development and implementation of transformation strategies in their designated districts to the extent funding is available.
The MSNJ program, within DCA’s Division of Local Planning Services, assists with the development of preservation-based downtown revitalization initiatives including strengthening the existing tax base, increasing sales, creating a positive community image with attractive and viable downtown buildings, attracting new businesses, creating new jobs, increasing investment in the downtown, and preserving historic architectural resources.
The four newly-designated districts brings the total number of MSNJ districts to 29. Since the program’s inception in 1989, there has been more than $1 billion in public-private investment in Main Street designated communities, with a net gain of 1,500 new and expanded businesses and a net increase of 6,680 jobs. Between 1997 and 2022, residents, merchants, and property owners donated nearly $10 million in volunteer wage time to support their local Main Street program.
“This designation is incredibly meaningful for the Borough of Haddonfield,” said Mayor Colleen Bianco Bezich. “It comes after nearly 20 years of growth and evolution – from our early days of competition with local malls and the “big box” anchored shopping centers to more recent online shopping trends and COVID-19-related challenges – signifying the power of our main streets, while also highlighting the need to be agile and responsive to our small business owners. To that end, I have purposefully engaged with preservation and tourism partners over the last four years to make our downtown more than just a beautiful and inviting destination for shopping and dining local. We’ve worked tirelessly to bring residents and visitors together for experiential events that create lasting memories and deepen connections to our borough. The Main Street New Jersey designation is a testament to the volunteers and recent staff additions that have enabled us to keep moving forward and generating economic impact.”
Michael Marciante, executive director of the Partnership for Haddonfield, said, “Haddonfield has over 200 food, retail, and retail service businesses that make up a dynamic and welcoming downtown. With its historic backdrop, shade tree-lined streets, and walkable sidewalks, Haddonfield is the crown jewel of South Jersey. We are very excited to have our community recognized by Main Street New Jersey and invite everyone from across the state to experience everything Downtown Haddonfield has to offer.”
For more information, visit here: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) | Main Street New Jersey
