Camden’s new mayor foresees a renaissance

A new year brings a new mayor to the City of Camden. Taking the seat is lifelong resident and former City Council President Frank Moran whose swearing-in ceremony is set for Friday.

In recent decades, the narrative surrounding Camden has been marked with violence and blight. But Moran is optimistic, focusing on the city’s ongoing revitalization plans.

His optimism is bolstered by incentives for businesses relocating to Camden, thanks in part to the New Jersey Economic Opportunity Act of 2013.

“Holtec. The 76ers practice facility. Liberty Trust,” Moran said. “There’s over $2 billion of development, as we speak, going on in Camden, and that spells opportunity.”

But Moran admitted it’s difficult to keep that opportunity balanced with supporting Camden’s locals.

“I’m looking at the opportunity for these kids to be educated in the city and finally having a real opportunity when they graduate college to stay in the city,” he said. “But I also have a mindset that we have an undereducated and less skillful community. We need to make sure some industrial jobs come as well.”

Listen to the audio above to hear Mayor Frank Moran’s full conversation with NewsWorks Tonight’s Dave Heller.