"One of the premier research areas in the United States."
"More dot-coms per capita than any other state."
"A technological powerhouse" on par with the Silicon Valley.
University students would likely not use these grand generalizations to describe the state of New Jersey, which many people associate with power plants and shopping malls. But some local leaders have plans to change the reputation of at least one part of the state — the Route 1 corridor between Trenton and New Brunswick. If all goes according to plan, these phrases will come to characterize the area.
In the late 1980s, the N.J. government began discussing the idea of developing the corridor along Route 1 as a prime location for technologies companies. The site seemed logical because of its proximity to centers of commerce and trade, such as New York and Philadelphia, and to institutions of higher learning, such as Princeton and Rutgers.
The pre-existing infrastructure on Route 1 would also facilitate development in the area, said Joseph Montemarano, director of the University's Center for Photonics and Optoelectronic Material. He explained that there are roadways, telephone access and high-speed connections to the Internet.
"One of the most obvious reasons [to select the Route 1] location is the road infrastructure," Montemarano said. "We have the ability to get people in and out and to get goods in and out."
But while many states offer roadway infrastructure, he said, New Jersey distinguishes itself with its high density of intellectual ability.
"The important issue is to retain the talent that is here in state," Montemarano said. "A number of large corporations have downsized, but the important thing is to entice these groups to stay in state and convince them that they can pick up and start their own company and make their dreams a reality."
As the director for a University organization whose aim is to conduct research in technology, Montemarano said bringing new companies to the area would benefit faculty, students and the companies themselves.
"To be able, on a day-by-day basis, to have ongoing collaborations, having folks within a 20- to 30-minute commute, is important," Montemarano said.
But recruiting companies onto Route 1 has not been as easy as the leaders of the development plan originally hoped. Richard Woodbridge '65, a local attorney and former mayor of Princeton Township, said a major problem in moving the project forward has been the state government's detachment from the initiative. He said the state never followed through with plans to promote the area.
"What has been a disappointment to us over the years is that the state has never really taken an interest in pointing to any particular location within the state that it would characterize as its "Silicon Valley," its "Research Triangle," Woodbridge said.
"If New Jersey wants to be known as a high-tech state, it has to have a region in the state that it promotes and points to," he added.
Montemarano said another barrier to development has been coordinating different constituencies within the state. "The special challenge in New Jersey is that you are never going to get all the state municipalities to walk in lock-step," he said.
The lack of state support has left some wondering whether New Jersey has missed its chance to establish itself as a true technology leader.
Woodbridge said the planners might have a better chance at success by trying to work at a more "grassroots" level.
"I think it is really going to be up to the local business people and local professionals to really stand up and carry the ball," Woodbridge said.
And until these grassroots efforts gain momentum, the Route 1 development planners will remain at a roadblock.
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