Over 1,000 business and government leaders from New Jersey participated in the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s Walk to Washington & Congressional Reception, marking the event's return after a five-year break. The two-day gathering highlighted the unity within New Jersey’s business community and its focus on strengthening the state's economy.
"The bottom line: The Walk remains the state’s premier business networking event," stated Tom Bracken, President & CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. This year, amid a pivotal gubernatorial election, the event also served as a call for economic growth.
Participants traveled to Washington D.C. on a charter train for various events, including a Congressional Reception and a gubernatorial forum. The events underscored a collective priority among business leaders: urging both current and future government officials to prioritize economic development and improve New Jersey's business environment.
Bracken emphasized that "a growing economy is the most effective way to address and improve the state’s long-term fiscal challenges." Economic expansion is seen as essential for job creation, income growth, innovation, and quality of life improvements. It also provides necessary revenue to tackle budgetary issues.
At the well-attended gubernatorial candidates forum, candidates across party lines focused on business concerns and shared their visions for economic policies in New Jersey. There was widespread agreement on implementing pro-growth policies and reducing regulatory burdens.
Bracken noted unanimous agreement on "regular constructive dialogue among the administration, the Legislature and the business community" as crucial for sound economic progress.
On February 5th, before the Walk to Washington commenced, Bracken attended the inaugural meeting of Governor Murphy's newly established Economic Council. This council comprises government and business leaders working towards strategies that enhance New Jersey's competitiveness in business. Scheduled quarterly meetings between this council and state government aim to ensure ongoing dialogue conducive to economic advancement.
The success of this year's Walk to Washington demonstrated that New Jersey’s business community is motivated about future prospects. According to Bracken, those present believe in leveraging New Jersey's assets for corporate success while promoting its merits domestically and internationally as a prime location for businesses.
This message was originally published in ROI-NJ.
