Jennifer Eckhoff, Chief Experience Officer, Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce
New Jersey rivals Atlanta and Hollywood as a destination for the film industry. With Netflix now nestled in its backyard, the Eastern Monmouth area will be front and center as the streaming giant attracts direct and indirect investment to the region. “Netflix coming to Fort Monmouth makes our region extremely attractive to all industries, especially the film industry and associated businesses,” Jennifer Eckhoff, chief experience officer of the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, told Invest:.
In what ways does the chamber support business growth in the region?
Our partnerships with county and state government officials allow us to keep our members informed.
We updated our programming to focus more on networking. People who attend our events are looking to grow their network and connections.
What changes in the broader economy has the chamber identified?
Uncertainty has been a key issue for small businesses to large businesses to individuals, investors, and nonprofits. This uncertainty as to where the economy is headed makes business planning difficult. Locally, global issues impact us. As a chamber of commerce, our goal is to help promote and support all businesses in the community.
What makes the Eastern Monmouth area an attractive place for business and investment?
Our eastern portion of Monmouth County, located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, includes vacation destination towns, but all of our towns are permanent communities, making the region stronger than many seasonal areas.
The proximity to New York City, Philadelphia, and our shipping ports makes the Eastern Monmouth area attractive for businesses regarding access to imports, exports, industrial, and warehouse space. This metropolitan proximity also brings the influence of the arts and artists to our area.
How can the recent wins in the film sector help spur additional job growth?
Becoming the “East Coast Hollywood” is creating an influx of residents, businesses, and jobs in anticipation of the growth. Brookdale Community College has created a film academy, which is being replicated in other community colleges and universities to prepare students who want to get into the film and supporting industries. Towns and municipalities are working on redevelopment plans and zoning adjustments to assist with the influx of residents, jobs, and industries. The film sector will provide jobs in every type of industry, such as restaurants and hospitality, and transportation. There is overall excitement for this project as the Fort sat vacant for many years. All of this is leading the way for more people and businesses to come into the area.
How is the chamber helping businesses better connect with their local municipalities?
Continuing our relationships with the local towns and counties and collaborating with other chambers is key to sharing information. We brand ourselves as a resource for our members and are keen on helping the business community find the answers to their questions. Our focus is on connecting businesses with other businesses and helping identify strategic partnerships.
What shifts in memberships are you seeing?
We are seeing an uptick in membership because of the economic uncertainty. Our members are seeking EMACC’s assistance with marketing, promoting, and connecting their businesses to the community.
Additionally, there has been a shift in the health and wellness industry. This has been our largest growth area. This can be attributed to the COVID pandemic and the raised awareness about the need for work-life balance and the need to take care of themselves. With this focus, EMACC held our first annual Health & Wellness Fair to introduce this growing membership segment to the community.
What are the major challenges facing your members?
Every challenge brings opportunities. Among the challenges, however, are the rapid increase in minimum wage being propelled by the rising cost of living and inflation. This is difficult for small businesses, adding the task of finding creative ways to use their staff. It impacts businesses of every size, which affects the bottom line.
What are some efforts geared toward workforce development?
Partnering with the local community colleges, universities, and other local economic development agencies, we keep our local businesses informed. Our website also serves as a resource to our community.
EMACC also works with our partners through their work study and youth employment programs, providing work opportunities and exposure to various contacts in different industries.
What is your outlook for the coming years?
For almost 100 years, our focus continues to be our pro-business advocacy by fostering a stronger business environment. There is a great deal of pride in Monmouth County as we celebrate 250 years as an important part of our Country’s history.
