April 23, 2019 - DCA Issues Atlantic City Implementation Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Plan Identifies Priority Actions to Be Undertaken in 2019, Represents Next Step of Progress for Atlantic City  

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver today joined Jim Johnson, Special Counsel to Governor Phil Murphy, and members of the Atlantic City Executive Council at the All Wars Memorial Building to unveil a plan of action for priority projects that will be undertaken in 2019 in Atlantic City. 

The Atlantic City Implementation Plan reflects the recommendations included in the Atlantic City Transition Report issued in September 2018 and citizen input from the Atlantic City Town Hall in January 2019, and establishes a schedule, deadlines, and deliverables for the work. The plan also serves as an accountability tool the public can use to monitor the performance of projects aimed at building a strong foundation for shared prosperity in Atlantic City.  

“We’ve made great progress since the Transition Report was issued last fall and this Implementation Plan represents the next phase in our work to move Atlantic City forward,” Lt. Governor Oliver said. “I have confidence in this plan because it has critical buy-in from the community, city stakeholders, and anchor institutions that have agreed to be mutually accountable for getting the work done, which makes for enduring progress.” 

“There are so many positive things happening in Atlantic City because of the efforts of organizations across the city,” said Special Counsel Johnson. “The Implementation Plan builds on the work that is already underway by breaking down silos, reinforcing collaboration, and aligning resources. Together we are changing the narrative of this vibrant city.” 

The Implementation Plan is structured in two sections. The first section identifies the overall strategic recommendations. It provides a brief justification for why the recommendation is important to the outcomes for Atlantic City and its residents and the resources needed to transform the recommendation into a reality. It also suggests partners that may be able to contribute to these needs going forward and identifies legislative opportunities. The second section breaks down the strategic recommendations in a logic model format which includes targeted timeframes for completion in the first year of operations.  

The strategic recommendations include:

• Government Effectiveness and Accountability, which involves rebuilding local government fundamentals by reorienting municipal government services;
• Land Use Development, with a focus on developing a master plan that capitalizes on the city’s strengths;
• Economic Development, which includes strengthening existing businesses and diversifying the local economy with new opportunities;
• Workforce Development and Job Creation to recruit, train, place, and retain city residents in careers that result in personal and professional growth;
• Public Health, with a focus on morbidity factors, addiction, and food security;
• Public Safety, which involves building relationships between the community and law enforcement;
• Youth Development through education and career pathways to success;
• Civic and Cultural Development, which includes building on the city’s social capital through community engagement, arts promotion, and community-bases entertainment;
• Public Finance, with a focus on identifying new funding streams from non-profits, philanthropies, and impact investors.

The Atlantic City Initiatives Project Office, which worked with Jim Johnson to prepare the Implementation Plan, will oversee and coordinate the day-to-day effort of executing the plan. It will also provide support for the work of the Atlantic City Executive Council, which was formed in October 2018 and provides a structure for government, business, civic, and philanthropic institutions to share information, establish partnerships, and unite in common purpose. 

The Implementation Plan is posted at https://www.state.nj.us/dca/home/ac/index.html on the DCA website.

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