Atlantic City 8/12/2009 1:17:14 AM
News / Business

CRDA FUNDS NEXTGEN AVIATION RESEARCH PARK

NextGen Park Next to FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center

The NextGen Aviation Park will be the center for cutting-edge research in avionics, including improving the safety and efficiency of air travel through new air traffic control systems. That means helping find ways for airplanes to move more directly and safely through the sky, reducing delays, and improving fuel efficiency.

CRDA’s funding is the needed catalyst to help move the
NextGen Aviation Research Park into the operational phase,” stated Thomas D. Carver, Esq., Executive Director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Carver explained that the funds are key to implementing the project through professional services and for preliminary design work on the first building in the Park.

“We believe the Park has the potential to be one of the major economic events in New Jersey’s future,” Carver said.  Representatives of several aviation business and academic institutions have advised Board members that the NextGen Park could propel the Atlantic City region into the Huntsville of the State, he noted. Huntsville, Alabama is the center of substantial space related activities and is a major economic force in that state.

NextGen Aviation Research and Technology Park is a nonprofit corporation governed by a Board of Trustees with Dr. Herman Saatkamp as the Chairman. Dr. Saatkamp is President of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

“The members of the ARTP Board are proud to help reshape the economic landscape of South Jersey and to provide more opportunities for its citizens, and I am pleased that Stockton is playing a central role.” stated Dr. Saatkamp.

The NextGen Aviation Park has a strategic partnership with the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center where, research, development, testing and evaluation programs have earned the facility a “Center of Excellence” designation from the FAA.

The Park will enable private firms to enter into agreements with the FAA to engage in research projects, with access to state-of-the-art federal laboratories. The Park will allow the private sector's use of laboratory facilities for research projects outside the direct responsibilities of the FAA.

With NextGen as the catalyst, the 400,000 square foot Aviation Research and Technology Park will bring significant private investment, and approximately 2,000 new jobs in addition to the 3,000 employees working at or in support of the William J. Hughes Technical Center.

The Board of Trustees also includes:
•Dennis Levinson, Atlantic County Executive
•Thomas D. Carver, Esq., Executive Director, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
•Anne Harlan, Ph.D., Director (Retired), FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center
•Caren Franzini, Executive Director, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
•Edward H. Salmon, Ed.D., Chairman, Salmon Ventures Ltd.
•Gordon K. Dahl, Executive Director, South Jersey Economic Development District
•Bart Mueller, Executive Director, South Jersey Transportation Authority


About Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA)

The only agency of its kind nationwide – the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents statewide. In doing so, the CRDA has dramatically changed Atlantic City’s residential, commercial, cultural, and social landscape, while financially supporting quality-of-life improvement efforts throughout New Jersey. In the 24 years of its existence, the CRDA has invested over $1.8 billion in 400 projects statewide. Visit CRDA on the web at www.njcrda.com and the NextGen Aviation Research and Technology Park at www.NextGenAviationPark.org.

To join the NextGen Aviation Park mailing list, email info@nextgenaviationpark.org with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

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