SOMERSET COUNTY ATTRACTING TECH AND LIFE SCIENCES COMPANIES FOR SKILLED WORKFORCE & QUALITY OF LIFE

SOMERVILLE, NJ – CRB, a leading provider of engineering, architecture, construction and consulting solutions to life sciences and food and beverage industries, last week announced a new office in Somerset County to support a locally burgeoning life sciences industry. The company’s office will be located in Bridgewater and is expected to support the company’s expansion in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.

In a statement, the company explained its decision to locate in Somerset County as “bringing the company’s innovative project delivery teams and subject matter experts even closer to clients in one of the largest and most influential biopharma clusters in the world.” The statement continued: “With easy access to highways and numerous popular dining and retail options, CRB Bridgewater is convenient for clients and employees and just an hour’s train ride from New York City.”

“We are delighted to see CRB bring jobs to our county,” said Somerset County Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson. “Even more important is CRB’s assessment that the life sciences industry in Somerset County is primed for growth, due to access to talent and the high quality of life we offer.”

The announcement follows a new report from Niche that ranks Somerset County among the 20 best counties to live in nationwide, and number-one county in New Jersey. Among more than 2,700 counties nationwide, the report also ranked Somerset County 9th as a good place to raise a family, and 21st for the quality of public education.

“Somerset County is working hard to attract cutting-edge businesses to create good jobs in our communities,” said Manager of Economic Development Jessica Paolini. “Businesses are impressed not only with the assets we offer, but also the response time of our economic development team in providing support. We encourage employers to get in touch with us.”

MAINGEAR, another recent arrival, gives high marks to Somerset County’s quality of life and the responsiveness of the economic development office. The company makes high-end, customizable computers that are prized by gamers, including the renowned gamer Shroud, who has become a stakeholder in MAINGEAR.

In a video released by the County today, MAINGEAR CEO Wallace Santos explains he considered locating his company in the popular technology center of Austin, Texas, but reached out to New Jersey to see what they could offer. “I instantly got a reply from the officials here with a list of places to check out. And I got all the support I needed. Thank God we are here today. Couldn’t have chosen a better place, honestly,” he said.

Somerset County’s Board of County Commissioners has undertaken a variety of initiatives to promote economic development. In 2021, the Commissioners established a new office of Planning, Policy & Economic Development under the leadership of Walter Lane, who recently won the 2022 statewide award for outstanding planner.

In February, the County awarded a $3 million American Rescue Plan grant to its top-ranked Raritan Valley Community College to expand training facilities for advanced manufacturing. In April, the County organized a business conference on ESG that attracted major local employers to talk about the value of focusing on environmental, social, and governance topics.

The County also has released an award-winning Preservation Plan that is the first in the nation to combine historic preservation, open space, and farmland in a single plan. The plan focuses on ensuring the economic viability of farming in the County and leverages open space and history as quality-of-life attractors for visitors, employers, and employees.

Businesses interested in receiving assistance from the Somerset County Economic Development office can email jpaolini@co.somerset.nj.us or call 908-231-7157.

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