Investing in success
East Orange has long been a city defined by its resilience, entrepreneurship, and capacity for reinvention. Tracing its roots back to 1666 and Connecticut’s New Haven Colony, this Essex County city is experiencing a historic economic renaissance, driven by more than $2.5 billion in investment that is reshaping the city’s landscape and redefining its future.
Under the leadership of Mayor Ted R. Green, the city is proudly reclaiming its economic prominence through transformative redevelopment, strategic investment, and a bold vision for sustainable growth and progress.
For Mayor Green, leading East Orange’s transformation is deeply personal. Raised in East Orange and educated in its public schools, Green’s journey from hometown student to the city’s highest office reflects a lifetime of preparation, purpose, and public service.
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Cheyney University, a master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, a Housing Counselor Certification from Rutgers University, and more than 30 years of experience in property maintenance, housing revitalization, and regulatory compliance, he brings both professional expertise and an intimate understanding of the city’s challenges and potential.
His 12 years representing the Third Ward on the East Orange City Council further sharpened his vision for the city he has always called home. Nearly a decade into his tenure as mayor, Green is drawing on that foundation to usher in a new era of investment, opportunity, and economic growth.
“One of East Orange’s greatest competitive advantages is our location,” says Mayor Green. “We are strategically positioned in the heart of northern New Jersey with exceptional access to transportation, major markets, and a diverse consumer base. For businesses looking to establish themselves, expand their reach, or invest in a growing urban community, that connectivity represents tremendous opportunity.”
Attractive to businesses and residents alike, East Orange is highly accessible. Just a 25-minute drive west of New York City, it is served by the Garden State Parkway, County Routes 508 and 510, Interstate 280, and other highways, along with commuter rail, Newark Liberty International Airport, and two New Jersey Transit train stations.
What makes East Orange particularly attractive is its big-city accessibility and the advantages of a smaller, more connected community. Since East Orange is a compact city of about four square miles, it means neighborhoods, commercial corridors, transit stations, and business districts are all within close proximity. This creates opportunities for businesses to reach customers and attract employees, while establishing a powerful presence in a community where relationships still matter.
“Whether you’re a restaurant owner, retailer, professional service provider, entrepreneur, or major developer, East Orange offers opportunities to become part of an established community while benefiting from the energy of a larger metropolitan region,” says the Mayor.
Owing to its proximity to major hubs, easy access, reasonable taxes, business incentives, and more, East Orange and Essex County are home to many entities, including medical, military, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers, packagers, media and telecommunications providers, food producers, and many more. For East Orange’s growing population of about 80,000, the area is booming. For Mayor Green, ensuring success for residents and businesses alike isn’t just part of his job; it’s about fulfilling a deeply held personal goal.
“When I took office in 2018, I made a promise to the people of East Orange: that we would work together to build a stronger, safer, more vibrant city where opportunity is not just a dream, but a reality for every resident,” says Mayor Green. “And when I look at how far we’ve come, I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together.”
During his tenure, the Mayor and his team have overseen considerable growth on multiple fronts, including “creating workforce development pathways that connect our residents to meaningful, good-paying careers in construction, building trades, and other growing industries,” he says.
“Nowhere is our vision for the future more visible than at The Crossings at Brick Church Station, a $500 million, multi-phase redevelopment featuring 800 residential units and 200,000 square feet of retail space,” states the Mayor. “This is more than bricks and mortar; it is about breathing new life into our downtown, creating jobs, expanding housing opportunities, and transforming our Transit Village into a destination where people want to live, work, shop, and invest.”
Approved by the city in 2019, The Crossings site is a major development, with 160 of the units being affordable. “With all those new units coming online, we’re going to need to start transitioning and focusing on alternative means of transportation,” says Alex McClean, AICP. Principal Planner for over two years for the City of East Orange’s Department of Policy, Planning, and Development, McClean envisions even more developments and a more walkable city with convenient, quick access to coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and other amenities.
Safe and secure
Last year saw the introduction of Essex County’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Action Plan. According to Essex County’s Department of Public Works, the SS4A was created to reduce serious injuries and roadway fatalities “while enhancing safety, mobility, and quality of life for all users, especially vulnerable users such as bicyclists, pedestrians, and people of all ages and abilities.”
For McClean and his team, this meant identifying local and county roads in East Orange of major concern, looking at crashes and injuries related to motor vehicle incidents. “I came up with a number of proposals to mitigate the amount of traffic accidents that have been recorded by the state, so that was huge for us,” he shares.
Of equal importance for Mayor Green is the city’s commitment to making East Orange a city where families feel safe and neighborhoods are strong. “Our community-oriented police department continues to build on its reputation as a national model for urban policing, with crime declining by more than 80 percent over the past two decades,” he says. “Building safer neighborhoods goes hand in hand with creating stronger, more stable communities where families can put down roots, build wealth, and secure a brighter future.”
The city recently generated $6.5 million through a public property auction which saw vacant lots transformed into opportunities, including new homeownership, neighborhood investment, and generational wealth. Monthly First-Time Homebuyers Workshops were created to help make homeownership a reality. And with up to $100,000 in down payment assistance, East Orange is helping families switch from renting to owning. Like many other cities, East Orange has faced rising unhoused populations and, believing that everyone deserves dignity, stability, and a place to call home, a Division of Homelessness Prevention was established.
Smart, sustainable growth
Just as East Orange is taking on multiple initiatives to make the city more affordable, safer, and accessible, it is also investing in entrepreneurs who Mayor Green calls “the backbone of our local economy,” by partnering with public and private financial institutions to help small businesses access the capital they need to grow, compete, and thrive. Rather than focusing on attracting a few industries, the Mayor says he wants to see more businesses of all stripes that residents have been asking for. This includes quality restaurants, inviting coffee shops, diverse retail options, entertainment, health and wellness facilities, professional services, and family-friendly destinations that bring people together.
“I want East Orange to be a city where you don’t have to leave your own community to enjoy a great meal, meet friends for coffee, celebrate a special occasion, shop for what you need, or spend a Saturday afternoon making memories with your family,” he says. “Our residents should be able to live, work, shop, dine, and play right here at home.” This calls for “vibrant commercial corridors with sidewalk cafés, restaurants offering everything from casual dining to fine cuisine, unique boutiques, fitness and wellness centers, and spaces where our artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs can showcase their talents,” says the Mayor. “I want more opportunities for our young people to enjoy themselves in safe, positive environments, and more welcoming places where our seniors and families can gather, socialize, and feel connected.”
Mayor Green believes successful business districts are about creating an environment where everyone from big box names to long-time family-owned establishments can grow and succeed.
A vital part of that commitment is the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) Program, a statewide initiative aimed at revitalizing designated business corridors through economic incentives, such as a reduced sales tax rate of three percent and tax-free purchases for supplies, equipment, and capital improvements. Mayor Green encourages all eligible businesses to become “UEZ certified” and gain access to a range of benefits.
“Through this initiative, we can connect eligible businesses with valuable resources, storefront improvement opportunities, and other forms of assistance designed to strengthen their operations, enhance their visibility, and position them for long-term success,” he says. “I want our longtime business owners to know that they are not being left behind as East Orange moves forward. They are an essential part of our future. If you’ve invested your time, your resources, and your dreams into building a business in East Orange, we want you to stay, grow, and prosper right here. True revitalization isn’t just about attracting what’s new; it’s about preserving what makes our community special, strengthening what we already have, and creating opportunities for everyone to share in our city’s progress.”
Creating opportunities
Along with fostering a business-friendly climate and support for existing companies, another enormous benefit is the city’s approach to building people. “Everything we’re doing in East Orange is connected,” says Mayor Green. “When we redevelop a neighborhood, we’re not just putting up buildings. We’re creating jobs, attracting businesses, expanding affordable housing opportunities, strengthening our tax base, increasing health awareness, and giving families a chance to build a better future. One success creates opportunities for another. That’s how you build a stronger city.”
If he had to choose what has brought him the greatest personal satisfaction, it is putting people to work. “When you help someone get a good-paying job, you’re doing so much more than helping them earn a paycheck. You’re changing the trajectory of a life,” he says. “You’re bringing stability to a household. You’re restoring dignity, building confidence, and creating opportunities that can transform an entire family for generations. And that means everything to me.”
This approach applies to The Crossings at Brick Church Station, he explains. Calling it an “incredible redevelopment taking shape right in the heart of our city,” the Mayor insisted on one thing from the beginning: residents would not stand on the sidelines watching East Orange grow, but be an integral part of building it. “That’s why initiatives like our Rising Builders Program and union apprenticeship opportunities are so important,” he says. “We’re connecting our residents to training, opening doors to careers in the building and construction trades, and creating pathways to financial independence. These aren’t just jobs. These are careers that can help someone buy their first home, send their children to college, support aging parents, and build something they can pass down to the next generation and create generational wealth.”
Mayor Green’s philosophy comes back to being a mentor—helping young people find direction, believing in them, and providing opportunities. It is a philosophy rooted in the example set by his parents and grandparents, whose compassion, service, and commitment to helping others shaped his values from an early age.
“At the end of the day, buildings will rise, roads will be paved, and development projects will be completed. But the greatest investment we can ever make is in our people. When you give someone an opportunity, you can change a life. When you change a life, you can change a family. And when you change enough families, you change the future of an entire city. That, to me, is what being Mayor is all about.”
