1.) UNION COUNTY WORKS, a six-point program aims to:

• Provide more locations throughout the County for workers looking for information on unemployment benefits and job opportunities, including a mobile facility designed to do so.
• Expand County work in training and upgrading the skills of those who already have a job, to increase the likelihood of keeping the job. Expand use of training funds for these incumbent workers. Apply for State funds for this purpose and provide training through Union County College.
• Work with Union County College, Kean University and the Vocational Technical Schools to expand adult education and basic skills for all residents so they are better prepared for new opportunities.
• Concentrate efforts in the strong sectors of our economy. Work to identify new opportunities in the transportation and distribution, as well as healthcare fields. This year brings an exploration of “green collar” or environmentally-friendly jobs in areas such as recycling, construction, and energy retrofits.
• Make infrastructure investments and apply for funding through President-elect Obama’s transportation stimulus package. The County will re-work an existing committee (the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy committee) with all municipalities and the County as a whole to prepare applications for infrastructure stimulus monies as soon as possible.
• Create a new Workforce and Economic Leadership Team to help refine and expand the above proposals through the Workforce Investment Board and economic development. The team will include representatives from government and service organizations, Union County business leaders, and key officials from neighboring counties.

2.) GO GREEN (phase) II

• Work with educational institutions such as Kean, Union County College and Union County Vocational Technical Schools to help promote and develop “Green Collar” job training.
• Develop green components for the annual College for Teens program at Union County College. Introduce these students to conservation programs, careers in green technology, energy audits and more.
• The Vo-Tech School and County College will begin a new teacher training program to prepare children and adults for careers in the emerging green industry.
• Work on a number of measures aimed at efficiency and the development of alternative energy sources for our County buildings, including direct digital control systems that provide temperature resets, and programmable thermostats. Explore solar and geothermal applications.
• Begin a pilot program to use biofuels in heavy duty County vehicles to reduce harmful emissions. Any other vehicles for consideration by the County must be Hybrid, Flex-Fuel or Biodiesel compatible, meeting all CAFE fuel mandates
• Continue to apply LEED green standards to the County’s construction and renovation projects as last year. LEED means Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  The County is currently building the Veneri building in Westfield in order to meet the LEED standard. The County has made a commitment to build future facilities in line with these standards.
• This month will also witness the distribution of grants to schools to promote unique ways of recycling.
• Re-offer the Greening Union County grant program through the Open Space division, which has planted more than a thousand trees across the County.

3.) FORECLOSURE TASK FORCE

• The task force will work to prevent foreclosures and help Union County residents achieve the best possible housing and credit outcomes. The task force is formed of community leaders, counseling organizations and municipal administrators. It already held its first meeting, and will expand to include bank representatives.   
• As one of its main goals, the task force will position the County to apply for funding available through President Obama’s $10 billion “Foreclosure prevention fund” stimulus program.

4.) MOBILE MEETINGS

• Some residents have difficulty coming to our meetings so the Freeholder Board will come to them, at the local town hall or nearest public facility with the proper space. This time, meetings will be held in several western and central portions of the County.