Industrial Commission Department of Economic Development

economic

Lakewood Township's Office of Economic Development comprises several component parts of local business support activities. They are:
Economic Development
Lakewood Industrial Commission
Lakewood Airport

Economic Development is somewhat of a catch-all title, encompassing creative program development, cooperation with state and federal business development programs, land use planning and governmental relations management, as well as numerous other items that fall under our umbrella. We have designed and implemented programs in cooperation with our local UEZ as well as worked with entrepreneurs, community activists and other interested parties to bring business to Lakewood and to spur economic growth in the community.

Lakewood Industrial Commission oversees the Lakewood Industrial Parks and acts as a business community ombudsman on behalf of the township. Managing the sale of land within our more than 2,000 acres of Industrial Parks and promoting the growth of business in the parks has been the charter of LIC since its inception in the 1960s. Today's Industrial Parks, mostly built out with over 200 buildings to which over 10,000 people a day come to work, are a central cornerstone in Lakewood's overall economic strategy. Redevelopment opportunities are being considered, and several large scale strategic projects in infrastructure planning are in progress.

Lakewood Airport, located at the heart of the Industrial Park Campus, has been a vital part of the attraction of Lakewood's industrial zone for many years. An early magnet that helped draw companies like FedEx so they could fly out of, Lakewood Airport's strategic value has since shifted to other value propositions. Where the volume of business of a FedEx or UPS is beyond the runway capabilities of our facility, increased small corporate craft volume along with a growing level of helicopter traffic continues to highlight the value of local feeder airports. Charters activity is steady and promises to increase along with the increased business activity in the region. Recreational aircraft continues to be a strong feature for Lakewood Airport, and plans are in the works for airshows and other attractions to help increase awareness and use of this valuable township asset.