Meghan Hunscher, President & CEO, Morris County Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC)

In an interview with Invest:, Meghan Hunscher, president and CEO of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), said that strong public-private collaboration continues to drive economic growth and quality of life in Morris County. “Our county government is well-run — our roads are maintained, services are efficient, and our schools are excellent. These factors attract both residents and businesses.”

What changes have had the most impact on Morris County from an economic development perspective, and in what ways?

We’ve seen significant growth in the life sciences sector, with many companies choosing to locate or expand here, which has been positive. Morristown Medical Center, part of Atlantic Health, is planning a major expansion, estimated to be over a billion dollars. That project is still going through approvals, but it’s exciting. They also recently acquired a proton therapy machine, cutting-edge technology for cancer treatment. Additionally, they’ve expanded their emergency room facilities. 

On the education side, our community college, CCM, is working on some notable projects, including a new health sciences building currently under construction and the upcoming opening of the Center for Entrepreneurship. That center is a partnership between CCM, the Chamber of Commerce, and our Economic Development Division.

In manufacturing, we continue to see growth. For instance, at CCM, they work closely with local manufacturers. Ferring Pharmaceuticals, which is headquartered in Switzerland, just opened a new gene therapy manufacturing facility in Parsippany. They’re expanding and hiring, and they’re collaborating with local universities and colleges to attract engineers. There’s currently high demand for engineers at all levels: two-year, four-year, and advanced degrees like master’s and PhDs.

Besides healthcare, Morris County is home to a strong defense, aerospace, and pharmaceutical presence. Financial services are also significant — companies like Barclays, ADP, Accenture, and PwC have a presence here, along with the broader FIRE sectors (Finance, Insurance, Real Estate).

What investments are being made to prepare for the expected influx of visitors with major events, like America’s 250th anniversary and the FIFA World Cup?

Much of the coordination is happening at the state level. NJ Transit is in discussions with FIFA to arrange transportation logistics, such as busing for teams and attendees. MetLife Stadium has the capacity, but the surrounding towns are still figuring out how to get involved. This event is huge for the economy and community, especially for small businesses. At the county level, we’re supporting efforts and starting to build momentum for sports tourism. It’s still in progress, but it’s exciting.

What are your expectations regarding the local economic impact on small businesses?

At the moment, we’re still coordinating with the state and refining our plans. We’re hopeful local businesses and organizations can host watch parties and celebrations. The Red Bulls have a training facility here, and we’re looking at ways to promote local attractions and lodging.

We’re conducting a hotel and lodging study to better understand our capacity, which will support targeted marketing efforts. Even for day-trippers from the New York area, there’s plenty to do here. We’re excited about welcoming new visitors and showcasing what Morris County has to offer.

How has collaboration between the public and private sectors helped align local goals with business and educational priorities?

Morris County is a strong example of effective public-private collaboration. Our county government is well-run; our roads are maintained, services are efficient, and our schools are excellent. These factors attract both residents and businesses. We also have beautiful parks, open spaces, and recreational amenities like Lake Hopatcong, the state’s largest freshwater lake.

The transportation infrastructure is also strong. We have the Morristown Airport, with customs and hangars suitable for corporate use, and we’re close to major airports like Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia.

Many corporations — BASF (German), Givaudan (French), and others from Italy, Japan, and more — have North American headquarters here. Additionally, our nonprofit sector is active, which gives companies opportunities to engage in corporate social responsibility through donations or volunteering.

Public safety is another key component. We have a strong sheriff’s department and local police. Also, there are rehabilitation programs for people struggling with addiction, aiming to keep them out of the criminal justice system. All these factors contribute to Morris County’s high quality of life.

What opportunities exist in Morris County for entrepreneurs and innovation?

For entrepreneurs, the chamber offers support through our Entrepreneurial Table, connecting them with state-level resources like the New Jersey EDA and the federally funded Small Business Administration. The Small Business Development Centers are also active here.

We offer networking events, seminars, and workshops on leveraging affordable technology and AI tools to run businesses more efficiently. The Center for Entrepreneurship at CCM also offers courses, advising, and guest speakers to help entrepreneurs get started.

At the chamber, we connect small-business owners with larger companies that may need their services. It’s part of our philosophy: “You do business with people you know, like, and trust.” Even in a virtual environment, building those relationships is essential. We also run programs like “Maximizing Your Membership,” welcome breakfasts, and our year-long leadership program, “Lead Morris,” which helps participants understand the county’s economic landscape more deeply.

What are the top priorities and goals for Morris County’s growth over the next three to five years?

We see continued growth opportunities in life sciences, healthcare, and manufacturing. For example, companies like Novartis are investing more in U.S.-based manufacturing, which could translate to local growth.

From a data standpoint, real estate remains an area with opportunity, especially post-COVID, as we reimagine office spaces. There’s interest in mixed-use developments that combine retail and office use. Workforce development is another key focus. We collaborate closely with the Morris-Sussex-Warren Workforce Development Board, which provides training programs and grants. We want to ensure students know what career pathways are available after graduation.

Finance is another strong sector. Finance makes up about 13.7% of our total gross regional product. It’s a growing area, even though it doesn’t always get highlighted.

Healthcare, especially nursing and geriatric care, will continue to grow as our population ages. That aligns with our emphasis on education, ensuring students have access to training that meets the demands of our evolving workforce.

Ensuring students understand where job opportunities will be and helping them stay in the area to continue contributing to the local economy.

Education drives economic growth. As long as the pharmaceutical industry stays strong, we’ll continue to see growth. Many businesses have developed around it to supply the needed services and products.

We also track new business tenants. This year alone, we’ve seen around 60 new businesses across various industries: legal, insurance, pharma, engineering, healthcare, transportation, and technology. Our role is to make sure they’re connected with the right resources from day one to set them on the path to success.