Hudson County: Gateway to Profits (1970s)

[Music] yes Bob Cuban embassy the president of the company asks Bob Torre to search for a new location they're expanding business needs a prime site close to its major markets that provides good transportation services low operating costs a supply of skilled labor financial assistance and fine living conditions for its employees and their families during mr. Tories research he obtains a copy of the New Jersey Factbook a phone call to the Hudson County private industry council results in an invitation to visit companies located there his first stop is at the headquarters of Goya foods in Secaucus he meets with the firm's president Joseph you Nana way mr. oon an away why did Gauri of foods decide to relocate in Hudson County we had decided to expand our operation because we needed the additional space so we looked at several sites in the area and we decided to move to the Secaucus area here in the Meadowlands the reason now we found this area to be advantageous is because it's near the major arteries such as New Jersey Turnpike route three route 46 route floor because the market consists mostly of the area between Boston and and Washington DC I noticed several seaports in the area are these important to your company oh yes they're very helpful to us because we import a lot of merchandise from puerto rico dominican republic Spain Argentina in different areas in the world and this pressure nice comes in into the docks and we send our trucks down and pick them up and it's very comfortable to have them so close by as gorya has expanded have you found a good supply of labor in the area yes we have when we first moved in we had very little difficulty because most of our people moved over with us but since then we have expanded and we have been able to find a good labor pool in Jersey City Union City Hoboken and nearby areas with mr. yunano is help Bob Tory visits the Panasonic company he talks with NAT Gilbert executive vice president mr. Gilbert Panasonic considered several locations for their world headquarters why did you finally select Hudson County well there were a number of factors in the decision to relocate from New York City we did not want to lose our access to what is still on major market area we wanted a location that would be suitable for employees to commute to easily and third perhaps less important we wanted a location that was within the interstate commerce free trade zone and those three factors taken together pointed us towards Hudson County since this is the world headquarters for Panasonic it must involve a great deal of executive travel is this a convenient site for that kind of crowd I've taken 72 trips in the last 12 months and I think I'm representative of many of the executives of the company and having Newark Airport just 20 minutes away from here has proved a great advantage as the relocation improved the efficiency of Panasonic's operation well it certainly has Bob We certainly have enjoyed the advantage of having all our executives under one roof and with the ready and easy access to them we can call meetings at very short notice and this has helped our management flexibility I think a testimonial to the fact that we are enjoying our location here is the fact that we've added a hundred and ninety thousand square feet that construction is now in progress and when it's completed we will have over nine hundred thousand square feet in this one location the fact that over 100 companies have relocated to Hudson County within the past few years is solid evidence that here businesses of all kinds and every size prosper and grow there are important reasons why so many established firms have selected this particular area in which to locate it provides an unequalled Central Market location the greatest concentration of market wealth in the world lies within a 250 mile radius in which more than 60 million people live outstanding transportation facilities expedite shipments to customers saving time and money within a few miles of any company in the county are modern deepwater shipping terminals that connect with every part of the globe the efficiency of containerization enables ships arriving at this port to unload incoming cargo and reload and be underway again within 24 hours New Jersey has more track per square mile than any other state large volumes of freight move in and out of the county each day on major rail lines truckers operating out of the many terminals within the county make good use of the New Jersey Turnpike u.s. routes what a nine three and interstate 280 one third of the nation is within overnight truck delivery from here the Holland and Lincoln tunnels provide direct access to Manhattan and Long Island being only minutes away from two of the country's major airports makes for convenient business travel and air freight shipments Newark International is one of the most modern and best designed airports in the world Teterboro is the busiest airport in the United States serving executive and private aircraft the path transportation center in Journal Square is a showcase commuter system operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey air-conditioned trains carry passengers from Jersey City to the World Trade Center in ten minutes and from Hoboken to 33rd Street in mid Manhattan in only 13 minutes Robert Franklin general manager of area development for public service electric and gas company shows a plant site to Bob Tory Bob here's another site in Hudson County that I think it meets your needs as you can see it's in the right in the middle of New York New Jersey Harbor the largest general cargo port in the world one of the advantages of locating here is that you're in the commercially exempt or free zone that means you can ship your truck your goods back and forth between New York and New Jersey without coming under ICC regulation and that can save you a lot of money how about our general operating costs will we find them lower in a site like this and in other places in the area I think that you'll find that this site is a completely reasonable site cost wise for example if you went across the harbor there into New York City your utility cost it'd be 30% higher here you're gonna get reasonable taxes as compared to across the bay I think overall you're gonna find this is a very equitable place to do business the fact that many companies established facilities here decades ago and continued successful operations is proof that in Hudson County businesses prosper and grow Colgate Palmolive a world-famous producer of personal and home care products has had a major manufacturing complex here since 18 6 United States testing company America's leading independent laboratory has made its headquarters in Hoboken since 1926 over 450 skilled scientists and technicians perform rigorous product tests in special chemical textile and engineering labs for industrial and governmental clients [Music] the CF mother company in Jersey City is the country's largest producer of specialty pasta it's well known food products are shipped to 26 states from this modern distribution center in Port Jersey Bob Torre meets with Muller's chairman of the board mr. R Thurston jr. mr. Thurston how long this mother company had its operations in Hudson County we've been located at this location in Jersey City since 1914 but the business was launched in 1867 in other areas of the county there must have been significant advantages to remaining in Jersey City well there were Bob when the when the business was originally established in this area obviously it was because this is where its market was but that goes back to 1867 by the time this plant was originally constructed in 1914 the business had grown substantially and the basis for that decision at that time was the the transportation the workforce and other characteristics which have continued to make Jersey City a very attractive location for the continuing business how many employees do you have here employ about 500 people here at the Jersey City location between production and administrative facilities do you find your workforce reliable and productive yes indeed we do we have second and third generations from the same family that are employed here a unique manufacturing facility is the American industrial center thirty to small to medium-sized companies managed profitable operations in this integrated complex of over 1 million square feet there are many opportunities for smaller firms to prosper in Hudson County Bob torie asks president owner Ron mount about this facility what are the advantages of an urban location well one of the advantages is a proximity to New York City where within a few miles of the Lincoln and the Holland tunnels so that if you operate your business here or locate your business here you can easily gain access to the New York City market we have the low cost of utilities and operating costs in this area compared to New York City so you actually have a Manhattan location with lower cost the labor pool available here in both skilled semi-skilled even up to executive is very good and the transportation network is here and available to bring them to your place of business so you've got proximity to New York City lower operating cost and a good labor force available in addition to that the government agencies and the political of people in this area are very cooperative and very anxious to have industry in the town and in the community and will do whatever they can to help you to locate here and to run and operate a profitable business a business expansion or relocation often requires financial assistance the area is fortunate in having many excellent financial institutions Bob Torre calls on Thomas J Stanton jr. chairman of the board first Jersey National Bank and Robert Powell director of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority mr. Stanton if my company decides to relocate in Hudson County what kind of banking services can first Jersey and the rest of the financial community offer us well I really think that the best in first service we could do is get you in the right place we have an area development department which is the oldest in the state of New Jersey and we know this county in this in southern New Jersey area intimately we would like to find out what you need where you want to be and we would try to match that up with known sites then after we found those sites we could assist you with construction with permanent mortgages we can help your people on your relocation for their own personal mortgages their own personal requirements is there any kind of financial assistance outside of the private sector that we might be able to look towards for help the Economic Development Authority can provide businesses with very low interest financing to provide an incentive to invest in New Jersey in the last five years Tom we've provided something like a hundred and ten million dollars of insanity financing through the agency to businesses and industries that are growing and relocating here in the county we can also provide credit guarantees and other types of financial assistance in cooperation with the banks and what this all means really for the business is a much lower rate and lower cost of financing your projects here a company moving into a new area is always concerned about the red tape of permits and so forth can we get some help in this area well there are areas in both the city in the county where the bank could be helpful any of the banks could be helpful to the New Jersey also has a department of business advocacy which operates at Trenton which is designed strictly to cut red tape highly motivated reliable skilled workers are a key element in the successful operation of any business this area has been a center of manufacturing and commerce since colonial times attracting the bright and ambitious to rewarding careers and employment opportunities here worker productivity is exceptionally high [Music] expanding or relocating companies are assured as supply of skilled labour qualified technicians and experienced executives the Hudson County and Jersey City Sita programs provide job training classes which are conducted at the Hudson County Community College [Music] all courses are designed to provide employers with men and women possessing practical job skills [Music] administrator of the Hudson County private industry council anthony Corsi discusses his organization's role in helping employers one of the council's primary objectives is to ensure an adequate supply of trained skilled personnel for companies wishing to relocate or expand in Hudson County I've prepared a list of the approximate number and type of job skills that we have to fill if we were to relocate here well looking over this list and for your company's needs we can offer you what we call a customized classroom training program basically your company can be given a role in the designing of the training curriculum in the selection of the training site either at your own company's facility or at one of our local vocational schools we would also ask you to recommend a training equipment and supplies and also in the recommendation of the training instructor and the final screening of trainees who pays for a program like that a private industry counsel can reimburse you up to 100 percent of all the allowable training expenses the private industry council is composed primarily of leaders from business and industry plus representatives from labor education community organizations and local government its purpose is to plan and work together on programs that furnish quality job training and suitable employment opportunities for maximum productivity employees must have pride in their work and their company employees and their families also want Pleasant living conditions Hudson County and the surrounding areas have much to offer those seeking the good life good housing is essential you will find elegant high-rise apartments overlooking the Hudson River and New York skyline throughout the county there are many attractive single-family homes in pleasant neighborhoods [Music] condominiums and unique townhouses are creating a new community called Harmon coal on the Hackensack River it has its own commuter rail station bracket club general hospital theater luxury hotel and a marina for boating enthusiasts the nearby industrial park is also a center for shoppers who take full advantage of the many discount outlets located here [Music] neighborhood preservation programs and the brownstone revitalization movement in Jersey City and Hoboken have attracted middle-class families back to the inner cities [Music] Joseph Murphy manager of area development and urban affairs for the first Jersey National Bank Gibbs Bob Torre a tour of the brownstones table there is a genuine brownstone Renaissance going on in the urban centers of Hudson County this home that we're in is a typical example of a brownstone revitalization it's a beautiful home as their financing available for a place like this yes the banks of Hudson County are committed to revitalizing these urban centers and then again there are many federal and local financial aid programs available to the homeowner is a brownstone a good financial investment yes by all means this home has more than tripled in value in the past several years [Music] Bob this is a another revitalized brownstone in the Jersey City area you know what's very interesting is a number of these brownstone owners organized into associations and as an association they have a real voice in the community as far as issues that concern education Park renovation or any Civic activity who are these people that choose brown stones to live in it seems to be mostly professional people or business executives that see it as a very fine investment and then there are a number of young married couples who like to rent here because the building's contain one to four units and they find it very close to their work or to cultural activities a good education is the key to the future for young people and adults alike Hudson County places a high priority on education at all levels [Applause] the modern County vocational-technical high schools use the latest equipment in their many shops instructors experienced in their trade specialties teach courses such as electronics cosmetology air conditioning machine repair graphic arts and computer sciences new courses are added to meet changing labor requirements Stevens Institute of Technology located in Hoboken is renowned for its courses in the sciences engineering systems planning and management other fine four-year colleges in Hudson County or st. Peter's and Jersey City State College which offer excellent programs in liberal arts education and business Christ Hospital in Jersey City is pioneering an occupational health task force 30 million dollar diagnostic and treatment facility staffed by doctors and specialists trained to serve the health needs of area employers and employees outdoor activities are always fun this region can truly boast of a mild four season climate combined good weather with a wide variety of area attractions sports and recreational events and you will find healthful activities for everyone to enjoy in less than an hour you can be enjoying the peaceful countryside [Music] many cultural events take place in the county [Music] within an hour's drive north jersey ski slopes challenge both the novice and expert skier [Music] the world-famous Jersey Shore with its 127 miles of wide safe beaches and amusements make a day trip or a week-long vacation a delight for the entire family [Music] fishing goes on 12 months a year anglers can always find a place to wet alive Atlantic City is less than three hours away by car or bus the Miss America pageant is world-renowned new casinos are here for those anxious to give Lady Luck a run or to see an exotic show great adventure a fascinating theme park with over a hundred different rides shows and attractions is a short drive down the New Jersey Turnpike it also includes the largest Safari Park outside of Africa New York City is only minutes away for those who enjoy attending opera or ballet like to browse and famous museums or art galleries or see a Broadway show Jerseyans are proud of the Garden State Art Center which features well-known entertainers and cultural festivals representing various ethnic groups [Music] bordering the county is the finest Sports Complex in the country [Music] Giants Stadium is the setting for both professional and college football games including the Garden State Bowl it's also the home of the champion cosmos North American soccer team [Music] those who follow the sport of kings come to the beautiful Meadowlands Racetrack which features both harness and thoroughbred racing [Music] Bob Torey presents his findings to the company's board of directors I'm pleased to report to all of you I've located a site that meets all of our needs for both the present and the future and has a number of outstanding benefits which include an ideal location this site borders on New York City and is in the center of the Boston to Washington DC Carter it has excellent transportation facilities by locating here we'll have direct access to deepwater ports major rail lines interstate highways and a Turnpike for our truck shipment to nearby airports are convenient for executive travel and rushed shipments by air [Music] financial assistance I have been assured by a major banker in the area and the executive director of the State Economic Development Authority that money is available for companies that expand or relocate in the form of long-term low-interest loans skilled labor this area has been a major manufacturing center for many years and it has several good job training programs that will assure us a plentiful supply of skilled labor good living conditions the region offers fine housing in every budget range excellent schools and colleges many cultural attractions exciting recreational activities plus a mile for seasoned climate I'm happy to tell you that the place that has all of these benefits the place that I recommend strongly as the site for our new headquarters is Hudson County New Jersey Hudson County welcomes you and your company join us here at the Gateway to profits [Music]