Sean Sepsey, Economic Development Director, Salem County

Sean Sepsey, economic development director for Salem County, spoke with Invest: about the county’s manufacturing history and recent challenges in redeveloping the area. “Manufacturers in recent years have left the state and have gone to Southern states. We are hopeful the state will develop initiatives to bring these manufacturers back, but in the meantime, we are adapting to the current environment by putting a strong emphasis on tourism,” he said.

What have been some recent highlights or achievements for Salem County?

We are working on two major projects, the first addressing the need to improve public transportation within the county. In partnership with our community college and Salem Health and Wellness Foundation, we received a $400,000 New Jersey Department of Transportation grant to expand our existing county-run transportation service. We have a bus service called SCOOT that is run by our County’s Department of Health, which helps residents travel to jobs, medical appointments, and retail centers. 

The second project is a broadband project, in partnership with our neighbor, Cumberland County, called the Middle Mile Project. It is a fiber optic ring that goes between two counties, a $36 million project secured from grants through the federal government. We have already performed a feasibility study laying out the fiber optic ring, and we expect the completion of this project to be sometime in 2027. The counties are also seeking additional funding for the final mile to connect the fiber to major assets such as hospitals and schools. 

How would you describe the strength of the Salem County business environment, and what makes South Jersey an attractive location for businesses?

Salem County has a large industrial manufacturing history. We have the only nuclear power plant in New Jersey, which is also our largest employer, employing over 1,600 people. We are also a logistics hub, being on the NJ Turnpike and I-295 corridor, and close to all the major cities along the East Coast. South Jersey, in general, has a lower cost of doing business than the rest of the state and still has room to build, unlike other areas in the region. While manufacturers in recent years have left the state and have gone to Southern states for reasons outside of our control, we have been adapting to the current economic environment by putting an emphasis on promoting tourism in our county, which has proven to be a success.

We have many attractions, such as the Woodstown Central Railroad, a steam locomotive that brought over 30,000 visitors to Salem County in 2024. Cowtown Rodeo is a big draw, as it is the oldest and one of the biggest rodeos in the country. With America’s 250th anniversary coming up, we have an opportunity to showcase the historical sites within the county. 

The NJ Wind Port is a huge investment in offshore wind infrastructure. Could you provide some insights on the development of this project?

Offshore wind is in a difficult place right now, but we are hopeful the state of New Jersey will find alternative uses for the port. The Wind Port is a $500 million asset and the only port of its kind in the country. Salem County sees it as an asset, and we’re hopeful that the state of New Jersey, as the owner of the port, will find the right tenant to bring jobs and economic activity to our county. 

How has this development impacted local employment and business opportunities?

It is mostly uncertain at the moment. We have regular meetings with state representatives regarding the port. We are waiting to see what tenants will come along, and if there’s going to be a manufacturing site there that will fit in with Salem County’s background and history, or if it’s going to be used as a logistics port as well. We’re waiting to see what the state brings. 

What is the county’s approach to nurturing a diverse and equal business community, including small businesses?

We are pushing the county to be a tourist destination. We are the poorest county in the state, which means we must bring money from outside of our county. We have many restaurants, shops, and attractions opening. We want to have a higher influx of people coming in to patronize those businesses. My department also works to support those businesses and ensure they are taking advantage of the programs available to them and showcasing businesses to residents and those outside of the county. 

Given the rising population, how is the county leveraging the demand for affordable housing, especially in rural communities?

It is a real challenge. We have communities in our county that already have affordable housing compared to the rest of the state. Many of these communities are struggling with state mandates for affordable housing, putting burdens on local school districts and infrastructure, especially in rural areas. Each municipality is handling it differently. 

How does the Economic Development Office collaborate with neighboring counties and regional organizations to promote economic growth?

I sit on the board of directors for the South Jersey Economic Development District, comprising Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties. We align our goals and create partnerships. We also have a relationship with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority, which helps us with investments in housing and other government projects in different municipalities. 

What are the biggest challenges you are facing in Salem County, and what strategies are being used to mitigate those?

An aging population and loss of manufacturing jobs are two main challenges. The county has historically relied on manufacturing jobs. Many manufacturing sites have diminished. We need to ensure we support manufacturing businesses while also diversifying what industries we attract. As mentioned previously, we are promoting tourism to bring in new opportunities to our county.

Where do you see the greatest opportunities for the area’s economic development right now?

We have the most preserved farmland in the state, and we are taking advantage of tourism, specifically agritourism opportunities. Many people want to get out into the country, and there aren’t too many places left to do that in New Jersey. We have showcased two businesses in particular – one of them has been a family farming business for over 300 years, which is expanding its footprint to focus on agritourism. The other business is working in conjunction with Cowtown Rodeo to bring visitors nationwide to our area. We are supporting agritourism as a county and making sure we remain as rural as possible because this attracts outsiders to our area.