Ocean City, NJ – As summer heats up, so does New Jersey's business world. Choose New Jersey, a nonprofit dedicated to making our state a global business center, recently shared its latest quarterly report. The numbers show a positive trend: $156 million in economic impact and 242 new jobs thanks to company growth and relocations. This growth can greatly benefit local towns, leading to better infrastructure and more work for local families.
Governor Phil Murphy's been leading the charge, hitting the road in April to pitch New Jersey to powerhouses in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. His delegation held dozens of meetings and inked deals that are already paying off. A major highlight? Hotpack, a UAE-based packaging company, is dropping $100 million to build a manufacturing and distribution hub in Edison. That’s real cash flowing into our state, creating jobs and fueling innovation right down the road.
Choose New Jersey helped 12 companies set up or expand here in Q2 2025, and they’re coming from all corners of the globe—China, Belgium, India, Korea, Canada, Israel, Singapore, Germany, and Spain. These businesses are diving into high-tech fields like biotech, clinical research, and advanced manufacturing. Accurant Biotech from China chose Princeton, Ardena from Belgium picked Somerset, and Croissance Clinical Research from India landed in Edison.
PlantLoop Biotech from Canada is now in East Brunswick, SpotitEarly from Israel is set up in Englewood, and YPlasma from Spain is settled in Newark. New Jersey’s got the talent, universities, and infrastructure to draw these innovators in. As Gov. Murphy said that New Jersey continues to build a global reputation as the best place in the country to do business.
New Jersey's appeal extends past biotech into entertainment and gaming, fields where the state has deep roots. From Atlantic City's well-known casinos to the growth of online gaming platforms, New Jersey is a leader. These platforms, supported by careful state regulation, provide secure and fresh methods for people to enjoy gaming, which helps the economy next alongside more established sectors. See details about exploring secure online casino options. This gaming sector is just one piece of the puzzle, showing how New Jersey blends its legacy with cutting-edge opportunities to attract diverse businesses.
Choose New Jersey didn’t just wait for companies to show up—they went out and made things happen. At events like the SelectUSA Investment Summit and the BIO International Convention, they partnered with groups like JLL, BioNJ, the Healthcare Institute of New Jersey, and the state’s Economic Development Authority to roll out the 2025 New Jersey Report, highlighting why NJ is a global contender. The Middle East mission was a standout, with five Memoranda of Understanding signed, including one between Bahrain’s Masari Association and NJ’s EDA to create internships for Bahraini youth. Ralph LaRossa, chair of Choose New Jersey and PSEG’s CEO, said that thanks to the hard work of Choose New Jersey, more jobs and innovation are coming to our state, which is helping to grow our economy and reinforce New Jersey’s place on the international stage.
Wesley Mathews, Choose NJ’s president and CEO, noted that the state’s business ecosystem and quality of life keep pulling in investment. From roundtables in Saudi Arabia to facility tours in the UAE, their efforts are clearly working. For us in Ocean City and along the shore, this is more than just big-city news. Many of these companies are setting up in North and Central Jersey—places like Fort Lee, Harrison, Hoboken, and Parsippany—but the impact could ripple down to us through increased tourism, stronger supply chains, and new opportunities in hospitality. Companies like Dongwon Industries from Korea in Fort Lee or Thomas Brunner Hygiene from Germany in Hoboken are creating 242 jobs in fields like research and logistics, with potential for even more growth.
Edison is turning into a hotspot with Hotpack’s massive investment and Croissance’s move, boosting Middlesex County and linking to our shore economy through improved transportation and vendor networks. It’s a reminder that when New Jersey thrives globally, we all feel the lift, whether it’s steadier jobs for commuters or more visitors flocking to places like Ocean City.
