Politics & Government

Hopatcong Business Incentives Award-Winning

Borough receives Municipal Award from Sussex County Economic Development Partnership.

Hopatcong's efforts to expand its business sector and boost its economic growth were recognized last week, when the borough received the Municipal Award from the Sussex County Economic Development Partnership at its 8th annual luncheon.

The award recognizes commitment and exceptional efforts in bringing in new businesses and keeping existing ones in the community.

President of the Sussex County Economic Development Partnership Tammie Horsfield presented the award at the Borough Council meeting Wednesday night.

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"The borough of Hopatcong demonstrates municipal commitment and partnership by fostering an 'open for business' attitude," Horsfield read from a statement.  "The Governing Body, Land Use Board and volunteer boards and commissions of the Borough of Hopatcong are committed to removing impediments and reducing red tape to expedite the planning and zoning process so that development and reconstruction can move forward much more quickly."

Borough officials said they were both honored and surprised to receive such a high accomplishment.

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"We were thrilled," Mayor Sylvia Petillo said, "because we're just beginning economic development, beginning to look at the process. The other towns that we were against and competing for the award have been in the process of economic development for years."

Hopatcong was up against five other town in Sussex County: Andover Township, Franklin, Sparta, Stanhope and Montague.

"Thank you, borough of Hopatcong, for remaining positive in these challenging economic times and for working hard to assist your residents, and the business space," Horsfield said while presenting the award. "Your proactive attitude and progress is what makes you fit for this award."

Councilman Michael Francis, who attended the luncheon to receive the award, said that Hopatcong's very first farmers market this year is an example of how the borough worked to grow its local business.

In its first season, the farmers market brought in over 20 vendors–ranging in everything from brick oven pizza, pierogies, scones, flavored sea salts, and jewelry.

"Our strategy with the farmers market was to get our businesses–local and county–to come to our area," Francis said. "It's a business without walls. We bring the business to the people, we don't take the people to the business."

Francis said the borough saw large turnouts every weekend, averaging about 500 people every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Municipal Building. Residents still have two more weeks to enjoy all that is offered at the market.

Another incentive the borough created was a moratorium on the current sign ordinance to allow business owners to market their businesses by increasing their signage, helping them to advertise and attract more customers.

After the borough held a special meeting to get input from business owners for  how they wanted to place their signs, it was decided to temporarily suspend the ordinance.

An example in the old ordinance, Francis said, would prevent restaurants from posting their menus on sidewalks. But now with the suspension of the ordinance, they could post them outside.

Council members are planning to write a new ordinance once they get feedback from business owners and see what works.

"The creative way to fix the sign ordinance is to let the business put up the signs that they think are appropriate and then we pay attention to what they're doing and we write an ordinance accordingly," Francis said.

The borough has also added in a community garden this year.

Councilwoman Maire Galate said it's important for the borough to listen to the needs of both the businesses and residents, especially in these tough economic times.

"We're trying so hard to encourage growth in business of what we have and bringing in new business," she said, "but also maintaining and helping the residents that are here also because we want them to stay."


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