Federal, state and local officials joined with Dr. Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees, in breaking ground for the Park. Ambassador William J. Hughes, United States Senator Robert Menendez, Congressman Frank LoBiondo, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson, SJEDD Executive Director Gordon Dahl, and CRDA Executive Director Thomas D. Carver, all participated in the groundbreaking ceremonies.

"The innovation represented by the promising future of the NextGen Aviation and Research Park is a testament to New Jersey's ingenuity," Governor Jon. S. Corzine said. "This park will solidify South Jersey as the world's premier location for aviation technology, research, and development. As the aviation industry moves to satellite-based systems of air traffic control, New Jersey will lead the way through cutting-edge technology, creating thousands of high-paying jobs while providing for safer skies and brighter futures."

Saatkamp called the groundbreaking "a significant milestone moving the park from the planning stage towards the operational stage. The future is now for the Aviation Park." Saatkamp is also President of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

The Aviation Park is located adjacent to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) William J. Hughes Technical Center and the Atlantic City International Airport (ACY). The Aviation Research and Technology Park will be a high-technology aviation facility that provides the opportunity for FAA's partners to perform research, development, testing, integration and verification of new technologies. Private firms will be able to enter into agreements with the FAA to engage in research projects, with access to state-of-the-art federal laboratories.The Park will also allow the private sector's use of laboratory facilities for research projects outside the direct responsibilities of the FAA.

Gordon K. Dahl, Executive Director of the South Jersey Economic Development District (SJEDD), had the most immediate interest in the groundbreaking. SJEDD will be doing the real groundbreaking in the upcoming weeks by clearing the land for the infrastructure needed on the 55-acre Park site. SJEDD has already secured approvals from the Pinelands and its sewer extension permit with the Egg Harbor Township MUA. The FAA Tech Center donated the strategically located parcel through a master lease agreement with the SJEDD.

"Thanks to the collective effort of officials at every level of government to provide funding, the Aviation Research Park is now a reality. We will have workers onsite within weeks to start construction of the Park from the ground up," said Dahl.

As the South Jersey Economic Development District begins construction, Joseph M. Sheairs, Sr. has been actively recruiting aviation companies to locate at the Aviation Park. Sheairs is the Interim Executive Director of the Aviation Research and Technology Park and reports to the Board of Trustees.

"At the recent Air Traffic Control Association Conference, I was able to meet with dozens of prospective companies for the Park. I am now having follow-up meetings with key aviation executives with the expectation we will be able to announce Park participants by early next year," said Sheairs. Prospective members include include Fortune 500 engineering and product corporations, privately owned small business with technical specialties and operational expertise, and entrepreneurs with great ideas and future products.

"We have already received several prospective membership applications," added Sheairs.

Sheairs also explained the ARTP Board would be sending a formal Request for Development Interest & Qualifications for the Aviation Research and Technology Park within the next 60 days. The intent of the RFQ will be to identify potential development and investment partners. The target audiences would be construction companies, real estate development firms, and investment funds, or partnerships among these groups, among others.

The RFQ will attempt to gauge interest in the marketplace in the project and the project's ability to attract private capital at this stage. The RFQ will also invite discussions regarding public-private partnerships.

The Aviation Research and Technology Park, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation governed by the Board of Trustees that includes:

• Dennis Levinson, Atlantic County Executive
• Thomas D. Carver, Esq., Executive Director, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
• Anne Harlan, Ph.D., Director (Retired), FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center
• Caren Franzini, Executive Director, New Jersey Economic Development Authority
• Herman Saatkamp, Ph.D., President, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
• Edward H. Salmon, Ed.D., Chairman, Salmon Ventures Ltd.
• Gordon K. Dahl, Executive Director, South Jersey Economic Development District
• Bart Mueller, Executive Director, South Jersey Transportation Authority

Funding for the Aviation Park has come from a number of sources with the assistance of federal, state, and local officials, including:

• $2.5 million Federal EDA Grant secured with the assistance of Congressman LoBiondo to help begin actual construction
• $2.5 million for road construction and other costs, authorized by Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson and the Atlantic County Board of Freeholders.
• $1.69 million from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
• $1 million from New Jersey Department of Transportation
• $347,000 grant from the New Jersey Commission of Higher Education to Richard Stockton College to support the feasibility study for the Research Park as well as the equipment to develop a high-tech computer instruction facility at the Tech Center as well as a duplicate classroom at Stockton.
• $341,000 U.S. Department of Education grant secured by Congressman LoBiondo for Richard Stockton College to help develop education programs and a plan for academic participation at the ARTP.
• $200,000 from the South Jersey Transportation Authority for road improvements.
• $141,500 grant to Atlantic County from HUD, obtained with the assistance of Congressman LoBiondo for construction costs.
• $100,000 Small Business Administration grant to assist small companies in doing business with the Park and the FAA to Stockton College with the assistance of Congressman LoBiondo.
• $98,000 Special Initiative Grant secured by Congressman LoBiondo through a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative grant for Atlantic County to help defray the cost of planning and design for the ARTP.
• $75,000 grant secured by Congressman LoBiondo from the U.S. Economic Development Agency to fund the cost of developing a feasibility report on the ARTP.
• $4,732,200 Loan from "The Bank", 90% Loan Guarantee from USDA-Rural Development