Rep. Norcross Exmines Camden's Revitalization

Steve Adubato goes One-on-One with U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), 1st Congressional District, to discuss how educational institutions, like Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, are critical to the revitalization of Camden as an “Eds & Meds Corridor” and also discusses overall economic development in New Jersey.

2/28/19 #2206

 

 

 

 

Excerpt:

"Welcome folks, I'm Steve Adubato. We're coming to you from Camden, New Jersey. We are, in fact, at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in Camden. Were here with Congressman Donald Norcross, who knows an awful lot about this city. You are born and bred here? I was born literally right across the street just a few years ago and have lived here for the past decade. Congressman, talk about why we are here, what Camden means to you and what the future of Camden could be because of where we are and what's about to come. Not could be, will be. Talk about it. Certainly. And when we look back at the history of Camden, it was once one of the busiest ports, not only in America, but in the entire world. It was the hub of commerce. Like many cities around this country, they fell on some rather tough times. Some of the major employers left, but what we've seen over the course of the past 10 years is something unique in American history. From each level of government, from the federal to the state, each level of local government, the county, have all come together understanding that collectively, as a team, we can achieve great things. And what you've seen here is just like the building we're sitting in today. What does this building represent? Hope and quite frankly the future of medicine in America. And this was at the time the newest medical school in America. Hmm. In fact, within the short period of time, Rowan not only has won this new facility, but two, under the Higher Ed Reauthorization Act that we were able to move through the legislature back in 2012. When you were in the Senate? When I was in the Senate. Now it is one of only three institutions in this country that have two medical schools. Congressman, talk about the other piece of this, the joint Health Sciences Center. What is it? Why does it matter so much, not just to Camden, not just to the state, but to the country? That's a great question. So why are we here? Why is this uniquely different? Well you have to look at the history of the state of New Jersey. There are 27 institutions of higher learning, four years or better in the state. 22 of those are up north. The fact of the matter is South Jersey had 15% of the seats that were available for students, yet we have 30% of the population. Hmm. We knew something was off. So that great brain drain that we heard about was actually happening. We're losing the best and..."