David Mayer, Mayor, Gloucester Township

David Mayer, mayor of Gloucester Township, spoke with Invest: New Jersey about the town’s successes and plans for sustainable growth. “Creating jobs and stabilizing property taxes are our two main priorities, and economic development will help us achieve both of those goals.”

What have been the main highlights and key milestones for Gloucester Township in the last 12 months?

Gloucester Township is a vibrant and growing community. We have over 70,000 residents, which is a large number for South Jersey. We are seeing tremendous investment in both the residential and commercial sides. I’ve been mayor for 16 years, and I’ve seen growth over that time, but the last two years have been even better than before. People want to invest in our community. 

Can you elaborate on the economic development projects in Gloucester and how they are enhancing the township’s appeal to potential businesses and residents?

We have an economic development partnership with a nonprofit organization and meet monthly to discuss attracting investors and developers. One project is the redevelopment of the Downtown Blackwood section of Gloucester Township. Many years ago, it was the main street in our town and featured a movie theater and pharmacy, but the vibrancy of the downtown began to deteriorate over time. Recently, the town purchased an old bank building at the main intersection and two buildings next to the bank. We are in phase 2 of constructing a theater inside the bank. We are creating an arts district in the corridor and are putting in murals and a sculpture garden. 

There is a building called Academy Hall, with a mainstage center for performing arts. I believe the arts can create economic development. The more people we can attract to the downtown area, the faster businesses will develop. We have a neighborhood preservation program that builds residential and commercial facades to help transform the downtown area. We are also installing new facades on our library and Academy Hall. We anticipate the theater opening in August 2025. 

We are also working with developers on what is called the Nike Base. Back during the Cold War, the United States military staged Nike Missiles at different locations along the coast. When the Cold War ended, the military took out the missiles and sold those properties to Gloucester Township in 2003. We developed one of the properties into a residential property on Cross Keys Road near the Atlantic City Expressway. We are working with a redeveloper to develop the land. It will be mixed-use, but what we’re doing will be unique. We are taking four or five subdivisions of the property along the main highway and developing it commercially, but we’re going to lease the land instead of sell it. This way, the town collects recurring revenue. In order to control property taxes, we need to generate this revenue. This redevelopment area will provide a liquor license to an establishment such as a restaurant. We’re also looking forward to partnering with a cogeneration to sell electricity at a lower rate. 

We also believe in investing in our parks and sports fields. We built six artificial sports fields and three dek hockey rinks. There’s an economic development value in investing in recreation. We host the national dek hockey championships every year because we have some of the best rinks in the country. People from all over the country are coming to our community and spending money. 

There are also major transportation arteries going through the township. This is the most convenient place there is. I can get to the Philadelphia Airport in 15 minutes, for example. 

There have been recent discussions on the Blackwood West redevelopment plan and on stormwater management. Could you provide some insights in this regard?

There are professionals in the market, and our goal is to let them have as much flexibility as they need. We amended the Blackwood West redevelopment to allow developers to pitch ideas that can work in the town. We are planning in a way that is flexible for people to come in with their ideas. This is what we do in all of our development zones. 

What is your overview of the business climate in the township? What are the primary sectors and industries driving growth?

The Premium Outlets were the biggest economic project in the history of our town. The healthcare sector is big in the South Jersey and Philadelphia markets. We’re noticing investments in large step-down units, where seniors live temporarily before moving into a nursing home. I go to two or three ribbon cuttings per week for small businesses, including restaurants, coffee shops, and bookstores. These businesses are the backbone of our economy. 

You introduced the innovative “makerhood” concept aimed at combining residential and manufacturing spaces. Can you provide an update on its implementation?

This concept is ongoing. We have a redevelopment agreement for an apartment and townhome complex. Once the initial phase is completed, we will turn to the makerhood phase. The land has been acquired, and we are moving on to this second phase. 

Looking forward, what is your outlook for Gloucester Township, and what will be your top goals and priorities over the next two to three years?

Creating jobs and stabilizing property taxes are our two main priorities, and economic development will help us achieve both those goals. We are going through challenging times nationally, and we don’t know how that will affect us, but we will stay focused on creating jobs, bringing in businesses, and putting our folks to work. During the pandemic, we invested over $400,000 of relief funding in direct grants to small businesses to help keep them open and help keep folks employed.