Kyrillos: Maryland Thinks It Can Steal Our Talent?

Maryland will Open NJ Office to Lure Away Top Workers

            Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-13) made this statement after hearing Maryland will be opening up an economic development office in Eatontown to recruit talented New Jersey workers:   

            "New Jersey has a history of being a leader in innovation and a magnet for the best and brightest employees in many industries," Kyrillos said. "That Maryland wants to lure away members of our workforce should not be a surprise, but it definitely should be a concern."   

           “In August 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) announced that they would be closing Fort Monmouth with the majority of positions being relocated to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Maryland appears to be trying to attract New Jersey workers connected to the base.

            "New Jersey needs to do the same proactive, aggressive economic development actions that Maryland seems to understand and undertake," Kyrillos continued. "The importance of having a well-educated, technology proficient workforce cannot be understated. Unfortunately, these are the employees Maryland is recruiting and New Jersey may lose."

            Senator Kyrillos is the sponsor of legislation (SR-43) that encourages the U.S. Departments of Defense and Army, as well as the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority, to favorably consider the “Tech Preserve, Inc.” proposal by Patriots Alliance. This proposal would preserve employment opportunities for several thousand workers at Fort Monmouth. He is also an ardent advocate of updating and improving New Jersey's economic development plan.

####