Atlantic County is betting on aviation, drones, and a stronger pipeline of local talent to diversify an economy that still leans heavily on casino gaming. That's the core message from Lauren Moore, who leads the Atlantic County Economic Alliance (ACA), in the first episode of Down the Shore, our new series covering people and organizations shaping South Jersey.What Is Down the ShoreDown the Shore is a conversation series where we sit down with people who work on the issues that affect this area. Episode one features Lauren Moore of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance, who has worked through six New Jersey gubernatorial administrations and has led the ACA since June 2017. Moore grew up in Salem County, lived in Brigantine, and attended what was then Stockton State College, now Stockton University.Diversifying Atlantic County's Economy Beyond GamingTravel, tourism, hospitality, and gaming still make up about 60 percent of the county's economy, according to Moore. He calls preserving that industry critical, both for the casinos themselves and for the small businesses and suppliers, like linen and janitorial services, that depend on it. At the same time, new competition from mega casinos planned in New York City means Atlantic City can't count on gaming revenue alone. Moore says he'd like to see the state take a bigger role in reinvestment, comparing his vision for Pacific Avenue to a gaming strip in the way Las Vegas built its own. He notes the Casino Association has already put together a plan for that.Atlantic County's Aviation Innovation ClusterThe ACA's biggest diversification push is aviation. Moore describes electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, known as eVTOL, as the next leap after propeller and jet engines. Atlantic City International Airport is designated an aviation research and development testbed, sitting next to the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center, which Moore says gives the county direct data feeds and fiber optic access to FAA research that isn't available anywhere else. The airport's Class C airspace is less congested than Philadelphia, Newark, LaGuardia, or Kennedy, making it easier for companies to test new aircraft. As Moore puts it, "It's quiet, it's clean, and it's very sexy." Before people are flying in eVTOL aircraft themselves, Moore expects drones to handle cargo, medical supply drops, and emergency response, along with agricultural uses like checking soil moisture for crop dusting near Hamilton Township's blueberry farms.Growing Local Talent Through Workforce DevelopmentThe ACA runs an internship program built to keep graduates in the county instead of losing them to other states, a pattern Moore refers to as brain drain. Most of the nine current interns come from Stockton University, though the program has also drawn students from Cornell, Rutgers, Boston College, and Boston University. One former intern went on to take a full-time job with a tenant company in the ACA's aviation tech park. The organization partners with Fran Coon, executive director of the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board, and the New Jersey Department of Labor to help fund student placements and connect businesses with on-the-job training.Why the Atlantic County Economic Alliance Is Privately FundedUnlike a public agency, the ACA is privately funded, which Moore says forces the organization to earn its keep through business memberships rather than tax revenue. "We're not from government, but we're damn sure here to help," he says, describing the approach he brought from years working directly for Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno. Moore credits County Executive Dennis Levinson, State Senator Vince Palestina, and Assemblywoman Maureen Rowan for helping secure state appropriation funding that supports the ACA's growth. On cannabis, Moore says inquiries have cooled off since legalization three years ago; the ACA still fields site-location requests and matches companies with the county's 23 municipalities based on which towns have opted in.Looking Back on Six AdministrationsAsked about standout administrations from his career, Moore points to Governor Jim McGreevey's treasurer, John McCormick, now mayor of Woodbridge, for engaging directly with the business community. He also credits the Christie-Guadagno administration for a hands-on approach to meeting with CEOs of every size. "You tell us what you want, where, and we'll work with you to make that happen," is the philosophy Moore says he's tried to bring to the ACA's own work with towns and businesses across Atlantic County. Key takeaways Lauren Moore of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance says gaming still drives about 60 percent of the county's economy, and preserving it remains critical. The ACA is building an aviation innovation cluster around eVTOL aircraft, drones, and Atlantic City International Airport's Class C airspace and FAA testbed status. A nine-intern workforce program, mostly Stockton University students, aims to keep young talent in the county rather than losing them to brain drain. The ACA is privately funded through business memberships rather than tax dollars, which Moore says pushes the organization to stay responsive and hands-on. Interest in cannabis site-location inquiries has cooled since legalization three years ago, according to Moore. In this video 0:00 Thank you everyone for being here for our very first episode of Down 1:31 you know, at the time. 3:05 So it's all through the 90s. 4:37 to make sure they know where to turn if they need help. 6:11 You know, again, having work for the new Jersey Economic Development 7:41 and that 95 corridor, it is a destination to get here. 9:13 that's going to affect my business retention efforts. 10:45 to be able to preserve, you know, the, the gaming market 12:17 You were mentioned as being kind of the golden child of the way forward. 13:51 It's quiet, it's clean, and it's very sexy. 15:21 We have name brand aviation research companies coming into our tech park. 16:53 And we are class C airspace. 18:24 and crop dusting and look at the, moisture content in the soil. 19:55 and the ways that it really attracts the younger generation here 21:26 you know, you know, placements a big, you know, a big deal. 22:57 they're like, hey, you know, we need qualified employees here. 24:30 and and you may be aware 26:02 You tell us what you want, where, and we'll work with you to make that happen. 27:37 you know, there, 29:07 You know, you know, I also like my phone rings. 30:38 And his cabinet pick for treasurer was John McCormick. 32:08 And that's important. 33:41 the companies and the list of companies that are starting 35:14 You know, here, I understand, but exit interviews and understanding that 36:44 a competitive edge while we're working against a tough business climate. Questions people ask Who is Lauren Moore? Lauren Moore leads the Atlantic County Economic Alliance and has worked through six New Jersey gubernatorial administrations, including 20 years in Trenton before returning to Atlantic County in June 2017. How is Atlantic County trying to diversify its economy? The Atlantic County Economic Alliance is building an aviation research cluster around Atlantic City International Airport, working with the FAA and companies developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and drones. Is the Atlantic County Economic Alliance a government agency? No. Moore says the ACA is privately funded through business memberships rather than tax revenue, which he says gives the organization more flexibility to grow its programs. What role does gaming still play in Atlantic County's economy? Moore says travel, tourism, hospitality, and gaming still account for about 60 percent of the county's economy, and he considers preserving that industry a priority even as new competition emerges from mega casinos planned in New York City. What is the ACA's internship program? The ACA runs an internship program, mostly with Stockton University students, designed to expose young people to local job opportunities in aviation and related fields and reduce brain drain from the county.
