Spotlight On: Louis Cappelli, Commissioner Director, Camden County
September 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Louis Cappelli, commissioner director of Camden County, highlighted the significant progress and strategic initiatives driving the county’s growth and community engagement. “We are seeing the expansion of the medical and educational sectors within the city, which has been one of our long-term economic objectives,” he said.
What have been the main highlights and key milestones for Camden County in the last 12 months?
There have been several developments and activities that are beneficial to the county. First and foremost, Gov. Phil Murphy dedicated $250 million to renovate the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden City. We are in active development talks with New Jersey Transit, and we will be breaking ground in 2025 on the project. It has evolved into an economic development initiative, not just a transportation project. We are seeing interest in the land around the transportation center, and we are confident that once completed, it will stimulate additional economic development in Camden City while providing a world-class transportation center that the city is long overdue to have.
In addition, Cooper Hospital recently announced a $3 billion investment in its Camden City campus. This complements the over $250 million investment made by Virtua Hospital in Camden City. We are seeing the expansion of the medical and educational sectors within the city, which has been one of our long-term economic objectives.
How has this development engaged the community, and how do you ensure that residents have a voice in these city decisions?
We have ongoing neighborhood meetings to keep residents informed about project progress and to gather their input, and we do our best to address any concerns they may have. This is especially important in Camden City. An example of community engagement is the redevelopment of a former state prison site on the Delaware River in Camden City, owned by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The authority has agreed to sell the site and will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) or Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in the near future. The key aspect of this project is that neighborhood residents have developed a plan for the property, outlining their vision for its development. This plan will be incorporated into the state’s RFP, making it a great example of residents’ input guiding the project. Also, within the next several months, we expect to announce new residential market-rate developments in Camden City as part of the next phase of the city’s rejuvenation.
How do you ensure efficient management across the diverse departments under your supervision to achieve your immediate and medium-term goals?
We treat the money raised through taxes cautiously, and we are fortunate to have a dedicated workforce that serves the public efficiently. Our employees recognize the importance of protecting taxpayers and keeping taxes as low as possible while ensuring that the quality of life in Camden County continues to improve. We have also made significant investments in the Camden County Park System, which we believe is second to none. Over the past 10 years, we have invested about a quarter of a billion dollars in our parks, and this investment will continue. Residents tell us that the park system is one of the qualities they enjoy most, so we strive to improve our parks and expand the number and type of events we host. These include children’s shows, rock concerts, exercise activities, yoga, and more. We have successfully connected with residents to meet their desire for great parks.
What makes Camden County an ideal location for businesses and people to relocate to?
There are several factors. First, our location is second to none. We are right across the river from Philadelphia, an hour from the Jersey Shore, and a couple of hours from New York, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. This makes us a great location for both businesses and residents. In addition, we have excellent transportation infrastructure, including the PATCO high-speed line, New Jersey Transit, and major highways that allow people to get in and out of the county within minutes. We also have great municipalities with strong school systems, making Camden County a desirable place to live and work.
Additionally, Camden County is unique because it offers a wide range of environments. We have urban areas like Camden City and rural areas like Winslow. Our rural areas include corn farms, vineyards, and wineries – there are five wineries in the county. We also have multiple distilleries and breweries located in downtown areas, which contribute to the vibrancy of our main streets. Combined with restaurants and shops, these offerings create dynamic downtown areas that attract shoppers, diners, and successful small businesses.
Our county’s diversity is also not only reflected in the population, but also in the types of municipalities we have. If someone is looking for a quiet rural environment, we have that. If someone prefers a vibrant urban setting, we have that too. And if someone wants something in between, we offer suburban areas as well. In short, we have something for everyone.
How does Camden County support workforce development and address employment needs in the region?
We have a Workforce Development Team that works closely with Camden County College, potential employers, and trade unions to help train people for jobs. If a business in Camden County has a workforce shortage, we actively seek individuals to train for the available positions. This is done through partnerships with Camden County College and the Camden County Vocational Technical High School. In Camden City, major employers have access to a list of city residents seeking jobs through a program called Camden First. This is another example of how we work with employers to train individuals for jobs and connect them with local employment opportunities.
How does the county work with government entities and other partnerships to promote economic growth and provide continuity to legislation and required regulations?
We have a good relationship with the state government through Gov. Murphy. We have approached him for funding and support for projects throughout the county, and he has been accommodating. For example, as mentioned earlier, he has dedicated $250 million for the Walter Rand Transportation Center. Additionally, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority has introduced several new economic development initiatives that encourage individuals to invest in Camden City. In January, new economic development incentives were passed, offering significant tax breaks to developers and businesses that wish to locate or develop in Camden City. These partnerships and incentives help us promote economic growth while addressing the community’s legislative and regulatory needs. I think our No. 1 goal is to attract new residential development in Camden County. Parts of our county are old, so there are areas that could benefit from an injection of new blood in the form of new housing. We are working with our municipalities to promote our county as a great place to live. Residential development is important in many ways. We need residents to support our local businesses. The more residents we have, the more successful our small businesses will be.
How is the county working to promote civil discourse and ensure the safety of its residents?
The crime rate in Camden County has dropped dramatically over the last 10 years. This coincides with the development of the Camden County Metro Police Department in Camden City, which has resulted in over a 50% reduction in crime since its establishment 12 years ago. We dissolved the Camden City Police Department and started the Camden County Metro Division. By reducing crime in Camden City, there has been a spillover effect into neighboring towns, where crime has also decreased significantly. Our county is safe, and we continue to explore ways to make it even safer. One way of doing this is by maintaining strong communication with our residents. We have a weekly email newsletter and a summer park and special events guide that is mailed to every household. These keep our residents informed of what is happening in Camden County. Additionally, we hold town hall meetings in our municipalities that at times include our congressmen, representatives from the state legislature, the mayor, and county government officials. The goal is to update the public on developments in Camden County and answer residents’ questions. After all, transparency is a priority for us.
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