Jason Sarnoski, Commissioner Director, Board of County Commissioners, Warren County

In an interview with Invest:, Jason Sarnoski, commissioner director for the Warren County Board of County Commissioners, described the county’s evolution and the economic trends shaping the region. “We embrace being a bedroom community with open spaces, recreation, and healthy, locally sourced options. People desire this, and we’ve modeled our economy to meet that demand,” Sarnoski said.

What changes have had the greatest impact on Warren County, and in what ways have they influenced the community?

COVID-19 significantly impacted our rural, largely farmland and bedroom community. Previously, many residents commuted elsewhere for work. However, the shift to working from home drastically increased the need for telecommunications opportunities, which we’re still addressing with federal grants. This trend also spurred a strong real estate boom in Warren County, increasing property values and ratables. The influx of residents led to a revitalization of our downtowns, fostering new local businesses. We’re seeing a return to the Main Street and local-shop model, which thrives here in Warren County. This change has transformed our community, enhancing local commerce and highlighting the appeal of rural living with remote work possibilities.

What are the key economic trends in Warren County regarding business growth and development?

Warren County is a thriving agricultural community. Recent census data shows a 38% growth in our agriculture industry between 2017 and 2022, reaching $128 million in total output, with livestock and animal products comprising 54%. We prioritize farmland preservation, having conserved 339 farms and over 29,000 acres since 1986. We rank third in farms and fourth in acres preserved statewide. Our education supports this, with a tech school for blue-collar work and a nationally recognized community college with a drone program for precision agriculture and overhead surveys, aiding local economies. 

Tourism is another key economic area, which has expanded through the Explore Warren County Tourism Partnership. Our Grains and Grapes Trail connects five breweries and five wineries, with a new winery and a distillery soon joining. We embrace being a bedroom community with open spaces, recreation, and healthy, locally sourced options. People desire this, and we’ve modeled our economy to meet that demand. To maintain our rural charm, we’ve restricted truck traffic on county roads, limiting it to local routes only. This keeps our roads safer and preserves the community feel that people want, preventing the rise of extensive warehousing.

What makes Warren County an appealing destination not only for new residents but also for businesses looking to relocate?

Warren County offers prime industry zones in downtowns like Phillipsburg, Hackettstown, and Washington, ripe for businesses. We provide a well-educated workforce and desirable local housing — people genuinely want to live and work here. We offer excellent access to major commuting routes like Route 80 and Route 78, yet we are not overdeveloped. This makes us a “sweet zone” in New Jersey: you get access to education, open space, and charming shops without the exorbitant costs of areas closer to New York or Philadelphia. Warren County provides a balanced environment where you can find the right people for your industry and offer them a fulfilling place to live and work. This unique blend of opportunity and quality of life is what drives people to relocate here.

How does Warren County balance infrastructure development with conservation?

We’re actively improving Warren County’s infrastructure through federal grants, particularly for internet technology and cell coverage. Historically, strong internet signals were challenging in our rural, mountainous, northern areas, and even in more populated regions. Federal funding has significantly enhanced our IT infrastructure and internet connectivity, providing better bandwidth and signal. We’ll continue pursuing these vital state and federal resources for communications, water, and utility improvements, as these are federally regulated industries. Public safety is another core focus. We believe a safe community attracts residents. Warren County heavily invests in emergency response and communication systems, handling all emergency communications. We’re advocating for 911 cellphone fees to be reinvested locally, aiming to reduce the burden on local taxpayers for these regionally controlled services.

Given your expertise, how is the county using innovation and technology to improve operations or support key industries?

We’re embracing new technologies to boost efficiency and transparency in Warren County. Our planning department now utilizes GIS technology, making it simpler for developers to track community developments and apply for permits online. We’ve also enhanced public access to information, ensuring greater transparency in government operations. Furthermore, we’re exploring different AI initiatives to improve customer service, both for our constituents and internally. AI handles common IT questions, reducing labor costs and providing faster, more accurate responses. These technological investments are streamlining government operations across Warren County.

With rapid changes in technology and the economy, what are the main challenges Warren County is facing, and what opportunities do you see for future growth?

A key challenge is managing the burden of state and federal mandates on local taxpayers. Keeping taxes low and affordable for residents is crucial, despite rising insurance and healthcare costs and decreased program funding. Losing federal and state support stretches our budget thin. We’re actively addressing IT infrastructure challenges and emphasizing proactive local planning to attract desired businesses. However, opportunities abound. Our open space, tourism and education offer avenues for growth, including new technologies like drones. There’s a strong demand for skilled blue-collar workers — carpenters, plumbers, electricians — which our tech school excels at training, fostering future economic development. Our agriculture industry is strengthening through tourism, drawing visitors who enjoy local farms and produce. This boosts our downtown shops and attracts people seeking open spaces and recreation, which we actively promote.

Can you share other examples of how active industry partnerships benefit Warren County?

We actively support Warren County through various initiatives. Our Warren County Wanderings e-newsletter and the explorewarren.org website inform residents about certain local businesses, community events, arts, culture, farms, and restaurants. While we lack a full-time economic development office, our public information department collaborates with state and local organizations on downtown and commercial revitalization. The Grown in Warren initiative tackles agricultural challenges, aiding farmland preservation and promoting the agriculture industry. We support programs like Future Farmers, 4-H, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and the Food Shed Alliance, which offers incubator plots for new farmers. Warren County Community College’s precision agriculture program trains students in drone technology and land management. We’re also advocating for a meat processing facility in Warren County. We partner with local improvement districts like the Hackettstown and Washington Borough BIDs, the Phillipsburg Downtown Association, the Blairstown Enhancement Committee, and many more. These local entities drive redevelopment and business recruitment, with the county facilitating broader planning and marketing.

What are your top priorities for Warren County in the near term?

Our continued focus in Warren County is on maintaining low taxes, attracting economic development, and fostering a desirable environment for families. By keeping taxes low, residents can afford to live here, while good education and public safety further enhance the quality of life. This foundation naturally attracts businesses, revitalizes downtown areas and encourages the growth of supporting services like restaurants and food suppliers. We also prioritize safe roads to ensure secure commutes for our residents.