Dan Benson, County Executive, Mercer County

In an interview with Invest:, Dan Benson, county executive of Mercer County, spotlighted major infrastructure projects like the airport expansion and downtown revitalization as catalysts for growth. He emphasized, “We’re focused on expanding opportunity across the county,” with healthcare, education, and tourism driving the local economy.

Can you share your background and what led you to the role of County Executive?

This is my first term as county executive. I served in the state legislature for 12 years, working on the budget committee, chairing the transportation committee, and serving on the healthcare committee. Before that, I served locally on my town council and as a county commissioner. I’ve had experience at every level of government.

Professionally, I worked in telecom and energy policy for about 25 years, with companies like Telcordia (now Ericsson) and Rutgers’ Center for Energy Policy. My educational background is in physics and science policy, which has given me a systems-oriented perspective that I use every day in this role. Mercer County’s strength in science, engineering, and education made this position a natural fit, and I’m excited to be helping move it forward.

What are some of the key highlights from the past year in Mercer County?

Over the last year, we’ve seen continued post-pandemic growth across most sectors. While we’re beginning to see some economic slowdown, especially as federal investment eases, we’re using the last of our COVID-era rescue funds to continue investing in our local economy. That includes low-to-zero interest loans, facade and signage improvement grants, and reimbursement programs to help small businesses with key services like website and accounting costs.

We’ve also launched our first-ever travel and tourism office, which is huge for us. Mercer has always been a destination — whether for our universities, historic sites, restaurants, parks, or wineries — but we’d never had a dedicated office. This initiative ties into our cultural and heritage division and our parks commission, where we’re making significant investments.

We’re home to great institutions like Princeton University, Mercer County Community College, TCNJ, Rider, and Thomas Edison State University. That mix of public and private education helps attract top-tier businesses and talent.

What are your primary objectives for economic development in Mercer County, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Our strategy combines direct investment and strategic partnerships. One example is the $25 million we’re putting into renovating the Trenton Thunder minor league ballpark. It’s a major draw in our capital city, right on the waterfront, and we’re upgrading it to meet MLB standards. The goal is to keep the Thunder name and attract a Double-A or Triple-A team.

We’re also making a $275 million investment in our county airport. It’s already a popular alternative to Philadelphia or New York, and this upgrade includes a new terminal, control tower, and fire rescue station. The design will make flying out of Mercer more seamless, with direct boarding, covered walkways, and a new parking deck next to the terminal. This has already led to expanded corporate operations by Signature and Sky Harbor, and we expect it to spur even more economic activity around the airport.

We’re also partnering with municipalities to invest in infrastructure: roads, bridges, and amenities that help create the right environment for development. In Trenton, we’ve signed multiple MOUs to revitalize South Broad Street, a key corridor that leads into the capital. We’re improving roads, sidewalks, lighting, and wayfinding to make the area more walkable and attractive to visitors, especially around our arena and county buildings.

Since announcing those plans, about 12 new small businesses have already opened along that stretch. We’re looking to expand those improvements further into the downtown area, including our Trenton campus of Mercer County Community College.

How is Mercer County working to enhance its appeal as a destination for new residents and businesses?

We actively work with companies during site selection, including a project involving a major medical facility. We help match them with municipalities that meet their needs and connect them to resources, whether it’s real estate data, chamber of commerce contacts, or local economic development teams.

We work closely with groups like the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber, NJBIA, NAIOP, and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. We also act as cheerleaders for the county, highlighting not just the real estate and infrastructure, but the quality of life: great public and private schools, top-tier parks, and an unbeatable location. Whether someone’s moving here for work or looking to relocate a business, Mercer County offers proximity to New York, Philly, D.C., and the Shore, all within a short drive.

How do you involve residents and local organizations in shaping county initiatives?

We make community input a priority. Whether it’s through the chamber, rotary clubs, or direct neighborhood outreach, we make sure the public is heard. Most infrastructure projects include a local concept development phase, which involves public hearings and stakeholder meetings.

For example, with the South Broad Street corridor, we’ll hold sessions with the Mill Hill and Cass Street neighborhoods to gather input on lighting, greenery, color schemes, whatever matters most to residents. We also collaborate closely with municipal leaders, who know their communities best, to align our investments with local priorities.

What are the key industries driving Mercer County’s economy?

We have a strong mix of sectors. Education and healthcare, often called “eds and meds,” are key. We have three major hospital systems nearby: Capital Health, RWJ Hamilton (part of RWJBarnabas), and Penn Medicine just outside our border. These drive significant economic activity, including outpatient services like CHOP and Children’s Specialized.

The biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors are also growing, particularly in East Windsor and throughout the county. That includes expansion from major pharma and biotech companies.

Warehousing and logistics were booming, but we’re seeing that cool off a bit now, which is a healthy correction. There’s still plenty of available space, which makes Mercer a great option for businesses seeking competitive lease rates near logistics hubs like Amazon.

Lastly, tourism is increasingly important. We’re becoming a wedding destination, and our wineries, breweries, and outdoor recreation opportunities attract more visitors every year.

How is the county preparing its workforce for the future?

When I took office, the Workforce Development Board needed revitalization. We’ve since reappointed members from diverse industries — finance, manufacturing, education — and now the board is helping drive our workforce strategy.

We’re partnering closely with our technical schools and Mercer County Community College to develop certificate and degree programs aligned with job market needs. That includes cleanroom techs, CNAs, medical assistants, and more.

Our One-Stop Career Center supports residents with resume help, job searches, and training vouchers for certifications. Whether someone is unemployed or seeking a new skill, we want them to see Mercer as a place where they can advance their careers and where businesses can reliably find skilled labor.

What are the key challenges currently facing Mercer County, and how are you addressing them?

Internally, we inherited a tough fiscal situation. The prior administration lacked direction, and there was a significant operating deficit. We’ve been implementing cost-saving measures and stabilizing our budget. Thankfully, our debt profile is strong, which allows us to make the capital investments I’ve talked about.

Externally, we’re concerned about federal cuts to key programs, especially those that support infrastructure, workforce development, transit, and public health. We’re trying to prepare for a potential economic slowdown. If the federal government pulls back too quickly, it could dampen private sector investment before it has a chance to fully recover. We’re being cautious while continuing to invest in our county’s future.

What is your outlook for Mercer County over the next two to three years, and what are your top priorities?

Our outlook is strong. Core sectors like finance and healthcare remain stable in any economic cycle. We see ourselves playing a bridging role, offering support to help businesses weather any slowdowns, while continuing to build out the infrastructure and amenities that make Mercer attractive to companies and workers alike. We’re focused on expanding opportunity across the county, whether through strategic investments, business support, or workforce development.

I extend an invitation to the business community and residents to come and see what Mercer County has to offer. Whether you’re looking to expand, start a business, or relocate, we’ve built a place where there’s truly something for everyone, whether it’s education, science and tech, healthcare, or entertainment. It’s a great time to be in Mercer.