In 2015 Atlantic County unveiled its Atlantic County Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan developed by AngelouEconomics of Austin, Texas to help diversify the county’s economic base. It identified several existing economic development assets. These include: the Federal Aviation Administration’s William J. Technical Center, the nation’s premier air transportation systems laboratory; the Atlantic City International Airport; Stockton University and Atlantic Cape Community College; 14 miles of oceanfront beaches; a rich agricultural history; top-rated medical facilities; affordable housing; and an established hospitality and tourism market. It also outlined five key target industries that Atlantic County should work to attract:

Aerospace and Aviation

A passenger plane taxiing toward the terminal.

Competitive Assets as identified in the Atlantic County Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan:

  • Federal assets and Stockton Aviation Research and Technology Park
  • Atlantic City International Airport
  • Atlantic Ocean proximity
  • Educational facilities
  • State incentives for Atlantic City

Life Sciences

Competitive Assets as identified in the Atlantic County Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan:

  • Proximity to ocean/marine life
  • Specialty agriculture
  • Educational facilities and program development
  • Strong medical facilities
  • Affordable real estate

Tourism

Competitive Assets as identified in the Atlantic County Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan:

  • Natural resources (ocean, rivers, beaches)
  • Protected Pinelands and Wetlands
  • Casino Gaming, Dining and Entertainment
  • Proximity to Major Cities
  • Farming and agriculture
  • Wineries and Breweries
  • Arts, History and Cultural Attractions
  • Retail Shopping
  • Available workforce

Specialty Manufacturing

shovels-stockton-science-centerCompetitive Assets as identified in the Atlantic County Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan:

  • Atlantic City International Airport capacity
  • Affordable Real Estate
  • Educational assets for workforce training
  • Logistical advantage to key markets
  • Federal Aviation Administration/UAS test facilities
  • Stockton ARTP

Entrepreneurial Services

Competitive Assets as identified in the Atlantic County Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan:

  • Quality of life
  • Educational facilities for business training
  • Proximity to major cities
  • Emerging creative cities
  • Existing nucleus of successful foreign-born entrepreneurs
  • Opportunity for successful business development