FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Newark, NJ – December 20, 2011 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, the Newark Municipal Council, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Brick City Development Corporation Chairman Adam Zipkin and Brick City Development Corporation CEO Lyneir Richardson joined Bartlett Dairy Vice President for Business Development George Miningam and JP Morgan Chase Bank Senior Vice President Sanford Wald for a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the opening of Bartlett Distribution Services, LLC’s new distribution facility located at 802-814 Bergen Street in Newark’s South Ward. Bartlett Distribution Services, LLC is an affiliate of Bartlett Dairy.
“Despite these challenging economic times, Newark is continuing to attract businesses due to our attractive proximity to transportation and Bartlett Dairy’s move to Newark caps our City’s ‘groundbreaking year.’ In 2011, we have seen a dazzling array of groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings that testify to the desirability and strength of Newark as a center for business and development. We have broken ground on our first new hotel in 39 years, welcomed Damascus Bakeries and Panasonic to Newark and now Bartlett Dairy is bringing more jobs and opportunities to our residents. I also want to thank Starbucks for being a tremendous partner and forgive me for milking this moment, but this accomplishment is utterly incredible.”
The South Ward Industrial Park was one of the Newark Economic Downtown Core entities that the City was able to reclaim after negotiations and litigation. After working hard to reclaim these properties that rightfully belong to the City of Newark, the administration began focusing on how to best utilize these sites for the optimal benefit of the citizens of Newark.
“My commitment as Deputy Mayor for Economic Development is to bring opportunity to the citizens of Newark, and it is only with partners such as Bartlett Dairy that the City of Newark will be able to accomplish that goal. Bartlett Dairy is not only investing in the South Ward and our community as a whole, but through our first source agreement Bartlett has committed to offering Newark residents the first opportunity for new jobs. With over 400 jobs ultimately expected at this facility, Bartlett Dairy will be a partner and an economic engine for our City in the years to come,” said Deputy Mayor Zipkin.
Brick City Development Corporation identified the property and finalized the City’s sale of a 105,000 square‐foot South Ward Industrial Park site to Bartlett Dairy. In addition BCDC negotiated the sales contract including the commitment for hiring and donations.
· In Phase 1, Bartlett relocated its Clifton Facility and 175 jobs to the Southward Industrial Park. Bartlett anticipates at least 60‐80 replacement hires and openings in the first two years.
· In Phase 2, Bartlett will add another 200 jobs through growth and expansion. As part of the agreement, Bartlett signed a first source hiring agreement under which Bartlett give priority to Newark residents for all job openings.
“Here at BCDC, we focus on taking projects from the pipeline through to the finish line with job creation as one of our top priorities. We worked very closely on this transaction with Bartlett Dairy, a minority-owned company, to make this deal become a reality. We provided technical and financial assistance to the company and are proud of the community service that Bartlett Dairy has already begun to do in the South Ward,” said BCDC CEO Richardson.
Through BCDC’s negotiation at closing, Bartlett also contributed $10,000 to the Jackie Robinson Little League, $5,000 to the Bergen Street Merchants Association, and $10,000 to the South Ward Pop Warner. JP Morgan Chase Bank provided the financing for Bartlett Dairy’s relocation to Newark.
“JP Morgan Chase is delighted to participate in this ribbon cutting ceremony. Bartlett Dairy is a valued client of Chase and we are excited to be able to support this project. This new facility will allow Bartlett Dairy to expand and grow their business and create additional jobs. We wish the entire Malave family, the employees of Bartlett Dairy, and the City of Newark the best of luck on this and future opportunities,” said JP Morgan Chase Bank Senior Vice President Sanford Wald.
Bartlett Dairy was founded in 1963 as a home delivery and retail milk route operating in the borough of Queens. The perishable foods firm was formed by Chairman Thomas Malave, Sr., and is managed by Thomas’ sons. Bartlett Dairy distributes dairy products and other perishable food items to retail and food service customers in the northeastern U.S. The company is one of the largest fresh milk distributors in the tri-state area; and a leading provider in custom distribution solutions; other items supplied by Bartlett Dairy (and its affiliates) include pastries, cakes, juices, frozen fruit, fresh bread, soups, and paper products. Bartlett Dairy (and its affiliates) serves customers such as Starbucks, Barnes & Noble bookstores, schools, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, and grocery stores that span Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Bartlett Dairy (and its affiliates) is the fifth-largest minority‐owned company in the metropolitan region according to Crain’s magazine.
“I share a passion with the Malave family in giving back to the communities that support our business values and philosophy. I am excited about the opportunities in Newark and look forward to partnering with a great city and its great people with an even greater future,” said Mr. Miningham.
“As a Newark resident I am thrilled at the arrival of Bartlett Distribution into my community. I truly feel like part of the Bartlett family already and look forward to many years working for the company,” said Lizzie Robinson, a Bartlett worker.
“I love working at Bartlett and the Newark facility is beautiful,” said Newark resident Anthony Vasques.
The Booker administration has made economic development and the creation of jobs a high priority. These innovative efforts have included the launching of the Brick City Development Corporation, the City’s economic development catalyst.
Since 2006, the executives of major companies such as Pitney Bowes, Standard Chartered Bank, Audible.com, Mimeo.com, CGC Genetics, Panasonic, Marriott, Manischewitz, and others have chosen Newark as home for new corporate headquarters and major operations centers. They’ve been joined by entrepreneurs, including dozens of companies that received start-up capital or other assistance from Brick City Development Corporation (BCDC), such as Dental Kidz, Loft47, and The Sixth Boro.
Economic development has also benefited from the 2007 opening of the Prudential Center, which brought New Jersey Devils hockey, New Jersey Nets basketball, and New York Liberty WNBA basketball to the City’s downtown. It also spurred the development of numerous downtown restaurants and bars as well as the construction of a new Marriott Hotel adjacent to the arena.
Economic development has also taken place in all of Newark’s neighborhoods, with projects like the redevelopment of the Newark Screens multi-plex movie theater in the City’s Central Ward, by a group headed by Newark native and NBA basketball star Shaquille O’Neal.
For more information about any City of Newark program or policy, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.
CONTACT: Press Information Office – (973) 733-8004.
E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us
Bartlett Dairy: Vice President for Business Development George Miningham – (347) 865-3963
E-mail: GeorgeMiningham@bartlettny.com
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For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us
About Brick City Development Corporation
Brick City Development Corporation (BCDC) is the primary economic development catalyst for Newark, New Jersey, organized to retain, attract and grow businesses, enhance small and minority business capacity, and spur real estate development within the city.
BCDC initiates and executes economic development activities to produce and sustain economic growth, generate jobs and create wealth for the citizens of Newark. Our team serves as advocates within the City’s municipal structure and provides a hands-on client management approach. For more information on Brick City Development Corporation, please visit our website at www.bcdcnewark.org.
About the City of Newark, New Jersey
Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major commuter and freight rail lines, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.
With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. Its population showed growth in the most recent census. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The rate of production of affordable housing has doubled, and new businesses are moving in. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.
For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us
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