Mahwah Dissolves 'Inactive' Economic Development Committee

The Mahwah Township Council decided at its reorganization meeting last week to nix its Economic Development Committee, which members said has not been doing anything to help promote new businesses coming to the township.

Instead, members said they will likely pursue a county-run alternative that might help support economic growth.

At its reorganization meeting last week, new Council President John Roth suggested dissolving the EDC, which he said was formed by a former mayor “years ago,” and has operated in name only ever since.

“To my knowledge, it has never met,” he said of the Committee, which has council members appointed to it each January.

Roth noted that other organizations in town, like the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce, and efforts of the mayor and township administration have been more focused on activities the EDC was set up to carry out – like working to attract new businesses to Mahwah and filling vacant storefronts.

Councilman Rob Hermansen suggested the township start working with the Bergen County Economic Development Committee, which he said could help market Mahwah to businesses that could potentially move to town.

Mayor Bill Laforet said he has worked with the organization before on efforts to bring more business to the township.

“We will continue to work to fill vacancies,” he said at the meeting.

In addition, council members said they will look into officially bolstering the town’s relationship with the county EDC.

At the meeting, township resident and a candidate last year for a seat on the township council, Gregg Sgambati, told council members he was disappointed by the decision to eliminate Mahwah’s own Economic Development Committee.

“I think it would still be a valuable resource, especially to the small businesses,” he said.