Careme's hosts SNJ Development Council Meet the Legislators event

Legislators from New Jersey’s 1st and 2nd districts met with area businesspeople Wednesday, Jan. 26 at Atlantic Cape Community College to discuss their goals and plans for the region during the Southern New Jersey Development Council’s Meet the Legislators breakfast.

The event was held inside Careme’s, the college’s student-run restaurant, and included 1st District legislators Sen. Michael Testa and Assemblyman Antwan McClellan and 2nd District legislators Assemblyman Don Guardian and Assemblywoman Claire Swift.

“I’m proud to say that the pandemic has not really slowed us down,” said Atlantic Cape President Dr. Barbara Gaba, highlighting the college’s new workforce training program at the Atlantic City campus for the offshore wind industry and the renovations underway at the Mays Landing campus for the cybersecurity and esports education programs. “We are confident that these cutting-edge programs will prepare our students for good-paying, in-demand careers as we continue to create pathways from high school to four-year institutions to job attainment.”

The legislators all said that community colleges would be critical in the region’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We remain committed to our mission of expanding access to a high-quality, affordable education for the residents of Atlantic and Cape May County as well as upskilling and preparing our labor force for the jobs of the future,” Gaba said.