Cooper Announces $1 Million in Corporate Funding for Cooper Plaza Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Projects

Posted on July 27, 2010. Tags: ,

Cooper University Hospital today announced $1 million in corporate funding for several revitalization projects to support housing, stimulate economic development and improve neighborhood conditions in the Cooper Plaza community.

The announcement was made at the site of nine new homes currently being built by Metro Camden Habitat for Humanity, the first construction project to kick-off under the Cooper Plaza Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit plan.

“This $1 million investment is another significant step forward in the revitalization of the Cooper Plaza neighborhood,” said Susan Bass Levin, President and CEO of the Cooper Foundation.  “Cooper and its partners are committed to the promise that Cooper Plaza holds – a promise that includes new housing and parks, a strong historic district and a health and science campus interwoven into a vibrant, mixed use neighborhood.

Cooper University Hospital has been the anchor institution in Cooper Plaza since opening its doors in 1887 and has led recent efforts to help redevelop the neighborhood.

“These investments in the community are truly transformative,” said John P. Sheridan, President and CEO of Cooper University Hospital. “Cooper is proud to be a leader in the revitalization of Cooper Plaza and is pleased to be joined by other leading businesses that share our commitment.”

Through the generous support of Cooper’s corporate partners – PSE&G, Campbell Soup Company, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, PNC Bank and Sun National Bank – the projects under the Cooper Plaza Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit plan will receive $1 million.

“PSE&G is happy to be a partner in the revitalization of the Cooper Plaza neighborhood,” said Joseph A. Forline, Vice President of Customer Relations at PSE&G and member of the Cooper Foundation Board of Trustees. “These investments will help ensure a bright future for the community we serve.”

PSE&G donated $500,000 to support the Cooper Plaza Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit projects.

In addition, Campbell Soup Company donated $256,344 to fund the revitalization efforts.

“Like Cooper, Campbell has its roots here in Camden, and we recognize that we have a responsibility to help support our community,” said Amanda Bauman, Community Service Manager for Campbell Soup Company. “Our continued investments in the city and its residents will help revitalize neighborhoods and support programs that directly benefit people who call Camden home.”

Other funding is as follows:

  • Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey – $143,656
  • Sun National Bank – $50,000
  • PNC Bank – $50,000

The Cooper Plaza revitalization projects have been approved by the state Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program, which establishes vital partnerships between business and community organizations and encourages the flow of corporate and investment dollars into low- and moderate-income neighborhoods throughout New Jersey.

“Today’s announcement shows the good that can happen when we all work together,” said Camden Mayor Dana Redd.  “Camden is happy to have the support of Cooper and its corporate partners as we continue to move forward with revitalizing this great city.”

Projects under the Cooper Plaza Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit plan include:

  • Camden Metro Habitat for Humanity – Construction of nine new homes on 6th Street between Royden and Line streets.
  • St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society – Residential façade program along the 700 blocks of New and Berkley streets.
  • Center for Family Services – Improvements to an unfinished lot on Auburn Street that will provide safe parking for employees and clients.
  • Triangle Park Artwork Project – Art panels in Triangle Park on Haddon and Newton avenues.
  • Greater Camden Partnership – Cooper Plaza Clean and Safe maintenance and security services.

“We are ecstatic to receive funding for these projects,” said Douglas Wagner, Executive Director of Camden Metro Habitat for Humanity. “This generous investment will help us tremendously in achieving the shared goal of building a healthy community.”

About The Cooper Plaza Neighborhood

The Cooper Plaza neighborhood is located immediately south of downtown Camden and is bordered by Broadway to the west, Martin Luther King Boulevard to north, I-676 to the east and Pine Street to the south.  With Cooper University Hospital’s recent expansion of a $220 million Roberts Pavilion, the new Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and a new Cooper Cancer Institute building opening in 2012, Cooper Plaza is a vibrant health sciences campus and neighborhood.

View our photo gallery by clicking on any of the thumbnails below.

Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 001 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 003 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 002 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 004 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 005 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 006 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 007 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 008 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 009 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 010 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 011 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 013 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 012 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 014 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 015 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 016 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 017 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 018 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 019 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 020 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 021 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 022 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 023 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 024 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 025 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 026 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 027 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 028 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 029 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 030 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 031 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 032 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 033 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 034 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 035 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 036 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 037 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 038 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 039 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 040 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 041 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 042 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 043 Foundation_NRTC_photos_072710 044
4 tweets
Share
Print This Post

Leave a Reply

Please remember that when you post a comment to a blog, it is published for the world to see. For your own privacy and that of your family, you should consider carefully how much detailed personal medical information linked to your name you want published on the Internet.

Twitter Updates