Copy of PPT for Jim Rutala presented at City Council Meeting

1. Brigantine Economic
Development Plan
May 3, 2017

2. Planning Team
Jim Rutala, PP, AICP
Rutala Associates
Richard Perniciaro, PhD
ACCC Center of Regional & Business Research

3. Economic Development Plan
Process
 Planning Process started August 2016.
 Monthly meeting with the Economic
Development, Tourism, Special Advisory
Committee.
 Meetings with ACIA, County Planning, County
Economic Alliance and FAATC.
 Adoption of the Area in Need of
Redevelopment Study, January 2017.
 Implementation can start immediately with
actions by City Council.

4. Changes in the Economy of
Brigantine
 Impacts of Superstorm Sandy
 Preliminary flood maps have been adopted that effect new
development.
 $60 M is Superstorm Sandy funds obligated for Brigantine including
$39 M to elevate homes.
 Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014
 7,891 policies in Brigantine in 2017 (85 percent of the housing
stock).
 $4,843,646 in insurance premiums paid in 2017.
 New flood maps may become effective in 2017 and higher flood
insurance costs are projected.

5. Recent Economic Changes
 Our economy and demography has changed
 Atlantic County civilian labor force has dropped from a high of 142,000 in
2006 to 121,885; down 14 percent since 2006
 Unemployment
 United States 5.0 %; New Jersey 6.5 %
 Atlantic County 7.5 %
 Abandoned/Foreclosed Properties total 193 homes in 2016
 Barrier island homeowners are relocating for employment
 Brigantine 2015 population 9,204; down 25 percent since 2000
 School enrollment is dropping
 Brigantine 2016 Enrollment 660; down 14 percent since 2010; down 24
percent for grades K-3
 Wealth is migrating to the barrier island communities in the form of second
home owners

6. Atlantic County Employment
Trends

7. Recommendations
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

8. Resiliency
 Brigantine has been a leader by pursuing funding and
completing projects that will make the island more
resilient.
 Host Community Awareness Workshops to assist
property owners to make improvements to reduce
flood insurance costs.
 Encourage and pursue funding to elevate repetitive
loss and substantially damaged homes.
 Continue to aggressively address nuisance flooding
and infrastructure needs.
 Adopt a Watershed Management Plan which is a
prerequisite for a Class 4 CRS Designation.
 Actively participate in the Army Corps Back Bay Study.

9. Economic Development
 Demographic Trends:
 Ecotourism and agritourism are growth industries.
 Culinary tourism, the birth of the foodie, is on the rise.
 Millennials are the largest living generation surpassing
the baby boomers:
 Locally experiences are demanded - farm to table
restaurants and local breweries and distilleries.
 Health, wellness and fitness are their top interest.
 Look for a value and “special” treatment as a reward for
their business.
 Cultural Immersion – Millennials are looking for experiences
that bring a destination to life, they want to “own” it and
learn something new.

10. Catalyst for Economic
Growth
1. Increasing Amenities and Lifestyle Options
 Provide and promote short-term living arrangements
such as timeshares, marinas, transient docks, mooring
areas, etc.
 Promote and expand recreational opportunities geared
towards an active lifestyle:
 Bikeways
 Water sports
 Community Center programming
 Events – seafood festivals, pub crawls, street fairs

11. Catalyst for Economic
Growth
2. Expand Tourism Marketing to Entice More People
to Visit the Island
Atlantic County is losing tourism market share to nearby
coastal counties:
Atlantic Co. Cape May Co.
Tourism Sales $6.7 billion $6.0 billion
Tourism Employment 48,131 26,151
Property
Net Taxable Value $35.2 billion$47.5 billion
 Increase marketing geared towards mainland residents
and western New Jersey and Pennsylvania

12. Catalyst for Economic
Growth
3. Leverage the Redevelopment of Atlantic City and Atlantic
County

13. Economic Development
Recommendations
 Establish a mercantile fee on seasonal rental properties to
develop a fund to promote and expand tourism efforts.
 Build a City brand, tag line, web site, mobile app and
marketing campaign that is consistently used throughout the
City.
 Develop and optimize a digital marketing platform that ties
into all social media components.
 Provide wayfinding signage throughout the City.

14. Economic Development
Recommendations
 Implement well designed streetscape improvements in each of
the business districts.
 Position the public school district as an marketing advantage.
 Continue to aggressively pursue outside funding for economic
development projects.
 Develop a Tourism Information Center at the gateway of the
City.
 Provide Welcome Bags to new homeowners and summer
renters.

15. Economic Development
Recommendations
 Adopt and implement an Abandoned Properties
Ordinance to:
 Motivate owners to return their properties to
productive use
 Hold a special tax sale
 Determine the fair market value of the properties
and facilitate accelerated foreclosures
 Permit private developers to acquire, renovate and
market properties

16. Economic Development
Incentives
 The following incentives can be used to leverage these
recommendations:
 New Jersey Economic Development Authority Incentives
 Short Term Tax Abatement for new and expanded
Commercial and Mixed Use Development
 Implement a Shop at Home Campaign and provide incentives
 Private/Public Partnerships
 Redevelopment Areas

17. Redevelopment Areas
 Four Potential Redevelopment Areas:
 Civic Center Site
 Rod N Reel Site
 Bulkheads
 Lighthouse Commercial District

18. Redevelopment Process
 City Council authorizes a Redevelopment Study
 Review the study with Planning Board for consistency
 City Council approves the Redevelopment Study
 Prepare a Redevelopment Plan which may include:
 Schedule for permitting and construction
 Project design parameters
 Tax abatement considerations
 Land use guidance

19. Bulkhead Redevelopment
Process
 Five acres of contiguous area
 Options:
 The City can permit bulkhead replacement through one
application process
 The City may establish a loan program to finance the
bulkhead replacement
 The City can charge a special assessment to collect the
cost of permitting and construction

20. Lighthouse District
Redevelopment
 Develop detailed design standards for mixed use
development in the Lighthouse Business District.

21. Funding
 A variety of funding options has been identified:
 NJDOT Grants for Streetscape Improvement & Bikeway
Improvements
 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Grants for
Living Shorelines
 NJ Environmental Trust for Stormwater Infrastructure
 FEMA Grant to Elevate Homes
 Army Corps and NFWF Assistance for Dredging
 NJ Department of Environmental Protection for Regional
Resiliency Projects
 NJDOT Transient Marina grants
 South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization
CMAQ Grants

22. Next Steps
 Work with ACIA Develop Redevelopment Plans
 Work with DMO, County and Chamber to Market Brigantine Beach
 Submit Grant Application for marketing plan – June 7
 Announcement for Streetscape Grant for Lighthouse District
 Announcement for FEMA Grants to Elevate Homes
 Complete Watershed Management Plan
 Develop and promote signature event

23. Questions & Comments