NEWARK, N.J., OCTOBER 28, 2013 _ Deputy Commissioner Aaron Fichtner represented the Administration of Governor Chris Christie today at a ribbon cutting for the Newark Jobs Connect Business and Employment Center, which has located at 1008 Broad Street, next door to the Essex County One-Stop Career Center.

The purpose of Newark Jobs Connect is to link Newark area businesses with qualified, job-ready Newark residents. The center will provide a professional environment for employers to meet and recruit qualified job candidates at no cost, and it will be operated by a firm called Grant Associates on behalf of the Newark Workforce Investment Board.

Among those who attended the ribbon cutting were Mayor Cory A. Booker, members of the Newark municipal council, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Housing Development Adam Zipkin, the Newark Workforce Investment Board Executive Director Nelida Valentin, and members of Grant Associates

Based in New York City, Grant Associates has worked in the past with community partners, including education and training providers, faith-based organizations, government agencies and organizations to address barriers to employment. The company currently oversees more than 10 different workforce programs in New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Detroit.

Deputy Commissioner Aaron Fichtner (second from left) attended the ribbon cutting for Newark Jobs Connect with, left to right, Newark Workforce Investment Board Executive Director Nelida Valentin, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Housing Development Adam Zipkin, Grant Associates CEO Dale Grant and Paula Bailey, vice president of Grant Associates.