Planning and Management '701', Plainfield, New Jersey: Industrial Stabilization and Development. A Strategy to Promote Industrial Development for Small and Medium Sized Cities

摘要

Plainfield, N.J., has developed an Industrial Stabilization and Development (ISD) program built around stabilizing the city's existing industrial base and attracting new industrial residents to the city that can be especially useful to small and medium - sized cities. HUD '701' funding was used to identify the advantages Plainfield can offer to industry, and to match these advantages to specific types of industry. There are four key elements in the ISD program: (1) the city works with industry rather than focusing its entire effort toward attracting new industry; (2) the program is totally separate from any commercial revitalization and development and the staff works solely with industry; (3) in attracting new industry, Plainfield has set its sights on small scale, manufacturing, assembly and warehousing / transport types of industry; and (4) the city has developed a capacity within city hall to deal with the problems that go hand - in - hand with industrial development; economic development coordinators work daily with industries in their rezoning applications, building permit requests, and other issues that bring industrial residents in contact with the city. Background on the program aimed at halting industrial flight and attracting industry which could make use of the city's semi - skilled and unskilled labor force, its good transportation network, and its inventory of small, low profile horizontal structures is provided, as well as discussion of the program's beginning and implementation. The roles of the elected official, the city manager, and the city planner in the program are also examined. Plainfield evaluated the program and found that the benefits produced through the program -- stabilization of industry, development of new industry, establishment of good working relationships with real estate and financial communities -- are worth the considerable effort and long term commitment to improve the city's industrial base. Appendices contain the evaluation questionnaires and a sample of workshop seminar series publicity on ISD.