Choose New Jersey Expands International and Domestic Presence in Momentous Second Quarter

Newark, NJ — Choose New Jersey, New Jersey’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization, today announced a successful second quarter of 2024, highlighted by continued international expansion in East Asia and the opening of the New Jersey West Coast Center in California. 

“Alongside Choose New Jersey, my administration is thrilled to continue showing the world why New Jersey is the best place to start and grow a business,” said Governor Murphy. “Our historic investment and expansion in key industries, from life sciences and technology to film and television, will ensure we remain a hub for economic, cultural, and social prosperity for the companies and people who choose to call New Jersey home.”

In May, Choose New Jersey officially opened the New Jersey Asia Pacific Center in Taipei, Taiwan following a productive multi-nation economic mission to East Asia led by Governor Phil Murphy in 2023. The Center creates new opportunities for collaboration between New Jersey and East Asian businesses and academic institutions while strengthening economic and cultural relations. It serves Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and China, and has representatives based in each region.

In June, Choose New Jersey announced the opening of the New Jersey West Coast Center located in the Plug and Play Tech Center in Sunnyvale, California. The Center is the organization’s first domestic presence outside of New Jersey and will support companies in the artificial intelligence (AI), technology, and film industries currently headquartered on the West Coast that are looking to relocate or expand to New Jersey. Choose New Jersey’s Chief Strategy Officer Tim Crouch will lead the office as its Executive Director. 

The second quarter also included the launch of Choose New Jersey’s website redesign which provides key resources for businesses looking to expand or relocate to New Jersey. The new site offers improved functionality and an updated modern appearance with vibrant colors. Proof points of why New Jersey is ideal for businesses are illustrated through photos and visual enhancements. And, in partnership with JLL, BioNJ, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), Choose New Jersey released the 2024 New Jersey Life Sciences Report, which highlights New Jersey’s thriving life sciences ecosystem and available and developing real estate.

“New Jersey continues to uphold its reputation as a premiere destination for forward-thinking business leaders seeking innovative ways to expand their reach and increase their impact,” said Ralph LaRossa, Chairman of Choose New Jersey and Chair, President, and Chief Executive Officer of PSEG. “Choose New Jersey’s support for businesses across the state is strengthening as we rapidly expand our global and domestic presence and show the world the extensive economic resources New Jersey has to offer.”

Choose New Jersey participated in the BIO International Convention in San Diego, the SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, and the Plug and Play Silicon Valley Summit in Sunnyvale, making the case for New Jersey as the best location for the most innovative businesses in the world. Forty-seven delegates joined us in San Diego for BIO International, and the eight New Jersey delegates at SelectUSA were joined by Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy. Choose New Jersey also attended the Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference in Nashville, SelectUSA Road Show in Germany and Austria, and the Society of Actuaries (SOA) China Symposium. 

“Choose New Jersey is letting the world know that New Jersey is open for business,” said Wesley Mathews, President & CEO of Choose New Jersey. “The momentum built from our Q2 successes will carry us through the year as we continue to showcase New Jersey as a global player where innovation, education, and quality of life intersect, making it the best place to live, work, and play.”

Other noteworthy events of the quarter include:

• Choose New Jersey hosted its first-ever International Week, bringing all of the organization’s international representatives to New Jersey. These colleagues experienced firsthand what makes New Jersey special, built relationships with their fellow colleagues across the globe, and shared best practices.
• Choose New Jersey representatives attended the New Jersey AI Summit which brought together industry leaders, academia, and state agencies to discuss how AI can ethically enhance New Jersey’s government services and private companies.
• Choose New Jersey hosted a Governor-led economic mission to California to visit film and technology companies and tout the state’s attractive film incentives and AI strengths. 
• Choose New Jersey welcomed Andy Kuhn as the Director of Business Development. Ryan Fox was promoted to Chief of Staff, and Tim Crouch was promoted to Executive Director of the New Jersey West Coast Center. Crouch will continue to serve as Chief Strategy Officer.

About Choose New Jersey

Choose New Jersey is the State’s leading non-profit business attraction organization. We harness the collective power of New Jersey’s business, government, labor, and academic sectors to expand New Jersey’s economy. We work globally, using our marketing expertise, concierge business development services, deep knowledge of the State, and convening power, in collaboration with State government, to empower businesses, entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators to make New Jersey their home. To learn more, visit choosenj.com.