Hunterdon County New Jersey master plan, reports 5,6,7,8
Creators: name: No Name Supplied
Publisher: name: No Publisher Supplied
Year: 1967

description: This master plan contains the findings of a study in four reports on economic base, regional councils, population, and social characteristics. Each of the four reports includes conclusions and recommendations.But it is appropriate at this juncture to point out some ofthe items which seem to us to be of major concern for future planning.Obviously, in a report of this size, a brief summary cannot cover allthe points contained in the body of the document.1. The major finding is that Hunterdon County will be subjectto massive external forces generating increased migrationof population, but that similar forces do not exist relativeto industrial growth. That is, the County looms as a majorsource of available residential land for. the growing populationof northern New Jersey. It does not under presentcircumstances, however, appear that significant industrialgrowth will take place spontaneously.2. Unless the County makes a major effort to attract new business,industrial development will be slow for the followingreasons:a. Manufacturing growth in the nation and in the region isexpected to be rather slow.b. There is available land in Morris, Somerset, Middlesex,Mercer and Warren Counties which is closer to majormarket areas.c. There is no significant pool of labor for industry todraw on.d. The new highway system nearing completion will not inand of itself cause firms to locate in the County eventhough goods will be able to pass through more quickly.3. Hunterdon County could, however, offset potential slow manufacturinggrowth by trying to attract research or other suchservice-oriented firms whose employees might well like tolive in the rural atmosphere afforded by the County.4. The probability of increased population immigration makesit imperative that the citizens of the County decide soonwhat kind of County they desire to have. A population levelof 125,000 by 1985 would force relatively few significantchanges in the County. A larger population would imply amore diversified economy along with more cultural activities,more shopping centers, better medical care and higher educationallevels. A higher population density achieved at a toorapid growth rate could also lead to higher welfare costs,higher educational costs and lower relative per capitaincome.5. The growth implications for Hunterdon County demand thatthere be coordinated and continual planning between Countyand local, as well as State, officials. The establishmentof regional planning councils by the Hunterdon County PlanningBoard is a unique effort on the part of County plannersthat shows a sophisticated awareness of existing problems.The Regional councils should be strengthened as much aspossible. Indeed, they are so important and at the sametime so novel that it might be possible to obtain furtherFederal and State aid to develop their potential even further.6. Other findings include the fact that agriculture, thoughimportant in the past development of the County, is on thedecline as is agriculture as a source of employment throughoutthe nation.