Abstract
In 2015, the Rutgers Economic Advisory Service group (R/ECON™) of Rutgers University prepared the third Union County Baseline report (commissioned by the Union County government). It follows and expands upon preceding studies conducted for the Union County Alliance in June 1994 and June 2000. This third baseline report uses recent historical data to explore the impacts of the Great Recession and the nation’s subsequent recovery on Union County’s economy. In addition, it aims to identify local industries that may offer the County a competitive advantage given the local labor force and its skill diversity. This industry identification is partially enabled through the use of economic forecasts for New Jersey and Union County, which assess the region's prospects for employment growth in the next decade. The current study is designed to inform economic development efforts and establish a common base of knowledge from which long-range plans and strategic initiatives can be developed. Additionally, through the targeting of industrial development programs developed in this report, it is hoped that Union County will be able to use its economic development resources more efficiently