LITTLE EGG HARBOR – Over 100 business and government leaders gathered at the LBI National Golf & Resort for the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Chamber Breakfast. Sponsored by the resort, the event provided an opportunity for networking and discussions on key issues impacting local businesses and communities.
Chamber President Jerry Thompson of the Van Dyke Group welcomed attendees and introduced members of the Executive Board, along with local and county government representatives. Among them was Ocean County Commissioner Jennifer Bacchione, who emphasized the critical role of small businesses in the region and the Chamber’s support of them.
“If we don’t have it, we crumble,” Bacchione said. “A lot of people have struggled, and it’s groups like yours that have done a tremendous job keeping the economy going and encouraging each other.”
Bacchione also highlighted the county’s demographics shift, noting that more people live in the area year-round. “We need to be conscious of making businesses sustainable throughout all seasons, not just summer,” she added.
Hospital’s Expansion Plans
Michele Morrison, RN, MPH, BSHA, President and Chief Hospital Executive at Southern Ocean Medical Center (SOMC), shared developments at the region’s largest employer.
“Last summer, we embarked on a $31 million surgical expansion project that will give us six new state-of-the-art operating rooms, a new sterile processing, and new pre- and post-care department for our patients who come and go through the surgical area,” Morrison said. “We’ve also done a great job advancing our Cardiac Cath license to meet the growing needs of our community for patients having a heart attack.”
Morrison also announced that SOMC is on track to become a Level II nursery, allowing the hospital to care for premature babies as early as 32 weeks. “We received notification that our application is moving forward at the state level, and I am hopeful we will have the designation by the end of the first quarter.”
In emergency care, Morrison noted that patients now see a physician in an average of seven to eight minutes. “That’s really top quartile,” she said. “We are constantly working to provide the highest quality care while keeping patients close to home.”
Coastal Resilience And Development
The keynote speaker, Charles Cunliffe, a supervising engineer at T&M Associates, provided an update on New Jersey’s Resilient Environments and Landscapes (REAL) initiative. The program is part of the state’s efforts to address sea level rise and climate change.
Cunliffe explained that while the rules are still in progress, they could greatly impact local development. “One of the most significant impacts is that any new development on our barrier islands could be restricted to just 3 percent new impervious coverage,” he said. The result could affect business expansion and municipal projects.
The regulations are based on Rutgers University’s projections that sea levels could rise by as much as 5.1 feet by 2100. However, he noted that the final rules won’t be official until summer or fall 2025.
Cunliffe said the proposed rules could introduce new restrictions on wetlands development and flood hazard management. He added the importance of business owners and local governments staying informed as these policies take shape.
“If you’re a property owner looking to develop your property, I would strongly encourage you to engage the services of a licensed professional engineer,” suggested Cunliffe. “Particularly someone with an environmental component and relationships with the (State Department of Environmental Protection).”
Chamber Advocacy
Blaise Scibetta of Southern Ocean Consulting, LLC, discussed the results of a strategic survey commissioned by the chamber. The survey gathered data from businesses, non-profits, and elected officials across Southern Ocean County and beyond to identify key challenges and opportunities.
Scibetta, who also serves on the Little Egg Harbor Township Committee, explained that the survey helped the Chamber identify the needs of its respondents. Education appeared key and prompted Cunliffe’s invitation to speak to the membership.
“That’s critical information for business owners, for people that want to develop their land, for people that work to solicit businesses,” shared Scibetta. He stressed the importance of the chamber’s advocacy role, particularly in representing business interests during municipal planning processes and state-level initiatives. Scibetta encouraged businesses to engage with the Chamber and utilize its resources.
The survey also highlighted challenges related to workforce development, with many businesses reporting difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified employees. In response, Scibetta promoted the Chamber’s upcoming job fair as a direct effort to address this need. He also touched on the need for tailored marketing and advertising support for businesses, emphasizing that effective strategies require understanding individual business needs. He suggested the Chamber will be working on developing such resources in the future.
Looking Ahead
The Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce’s next big event is its job fair on Thursday, February 27, from 1-5 p.m. at The Mainland Conference Center in Manahawkin.
“We’re having breakout sessions for employers as well as job seekers,” said Southern Ocean Chamber Association Board Secretary Lori Pepenella, CDME. “It’s going to be a great way to brand your business and hopefully grow your business.”
The free event offers job seekers in Southern Ocean County and beyond an opportunity to connect with local employers eager to fill full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions. Professional headshots and networking opportunities are highlights of the event.
Other upcoming Chamber events include a women in business program and several ribbon cuttings. The Chamber will also host wellness events and various networking opportunities in March. Details on these and other upcoming events will be available soon.
More information about the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce can be found on its website at visitlbiregion.com/chamber or its Facebook or Instagram pages.
