THE RICHARD STOCKTON COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY

Office of Public Relations

Pomona, NJ 08240

 

Media Advisory/Invitation to Cover:

 

Stockton College, Congressman LoBiondo, and FAA Announce New Funding for Aviation Research and Tech Park at FAA

William J. Hughes Technical Center

 

 

For Immediate Release  

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Contact:   Tim Kelly

                  Stockton Public Relations

                  (609) 652-4950

 

 

Galloway Twp., NJ -- The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, in collaboration with U.S. Representative Frank LoBiondo, The Federal Aviation Administration William J. Hughes Technical Center and Atlantic County officials, today announced new funding for the development of a new Aviation Research and Technology Park.

 

The Park, to be located on 55 acres controlled by the Tech Center in Egg Harbor Twp., is expected to provide an environment in which advanced aviation concepts would be explored by engineers, computer scientists, professionals in the aviation industry and many other diverse segments of the workforce.

 

The newest funding, in the amount of $350,000, brings the total of grants for the project to over $1 million. Stockton President Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr., Congressman LoBiondo and FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Director Wilson Felder announced the grant at a joint press conference held at Stockton. David Sparenberg, Chairman of the New Jersey Aviation Research and Technology Consortium, representing many of the future occupants of the Park, also made remarks.

 

In assuming a central role in the Parks development, Stockton underscored its leadership as an economic driver for the County and all of Southern New Jersey.

 

The College is pleased to partner with our elected officials, the FAA and County to bring this Park to fruition, Stockton President Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr. said. This project is a watershed moment in the regions continued economic growth and prosperity. The Aviation Research and Technology Park will provide the kinds of high-tech jobs that will be in demand for years to come and will diversify our workforceamong many other benefits.

 

The Park is expected to create as many as 400 new high-tech jobs, serve as a small business-friendly support center, nurture collaborations between public and private sector aviation interests, and provide new educational opportunities for Stockton students and others around the region.

 

The announcement of the new funding comes on the heels of a previous grant of $350,000 awarded in July 2005 from the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, which enabled the College to initiate much of the support for a $250,000 feasibility study for the Park under the direction of the Atlantic County Improvement Authority. The study, scheduled for completion soon, moves the project closer to the conclusion of the planning stage and toward groundbreaking. Additional direct funds for the study are from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the South Jersey Economic Improvement District.

 

In addition, the NJ CHE grant to Stockton provides $200,000 for a Smart Classroom at the Tech Center to be designed and managed by Tech Center and Stockton Information Technology personnel.

 

A second set of grants announced by Rep. LoBiondo last June, included $100,000 to Stockton and $250,000 to Atlantic County for design and site development of the Park based on an application submitted by the College.

 

President Saatkamp said the Park promised to be a magnet for new business, a source of internships and research opportunities for Stockton students and faculty, and a boon to the already dynamic growth of the county, region and State.

 

I can envision a type of facility here that will attract the brightest lights in the aviation, high tech and research areas, he said. Stockton is proud to be a partner in such an historic prospect for our community.

 

The Aviation Research and Technology Park is part of a national effort to modernize and protect the United States airspace system and to increase airspace and airport capacity. It is expected to provide the environment and support for small business incubation and the

expansion of existing businesses. The Park will be home to public and private entities along with Stockton educational components.

 

This project represents a true win-win for the College and the regional economy, Dr. Saatkamp concluded.

 

 

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