There is an industry in New Jersey that every single one of us relies on, every day. It has become so critical to the daily ebb and flow of our lives that often we don’t even think about it. We just assume it will be there, because it always is. That industry is logistics, which encompasses the transportation, logistics and distribution industry, and we believe now is the opportune moment to educate New Jerseyans on just how much it means to our state.
Logistics take in goods and services from across the world. We then create jobs, economic growth, professional development, and environmental rehabilitation opportunities before providing goods and services directly to your doorstep. New Jersey benefits significantly from the logistics industry, in terms of real dollars but also in terms of economic opportunities for our residents and environmental stewardship.
The logistics industry includes a huge portion of New Jersey’s economy, from port workers, distributors, developers, construction professionals, to trucking companies and more. Together, they make up an industry that is the life force of New Jersey’s economy.
Economically, logistics supports over 400,000 New Jersey jobs and is one of the state’s fastest growing employment sectors. That amounts to 12% of the state’s workforce. Logistics accounts for 12.7% of New Jersey’s private sector wages, offering an average annual salary of $75,000. The industry also contributes $62.5 billion, or 10%, to the state’s GDP.
In addition to the economic benefits, the logistics industry often serves as a hub of innovation. While many might look at a storage facility or data center and simply see a square, mundane building, inside there are individuals working on improving and creating the latest technologies for safely and efficiently moving goods and services through New Jersey.
New Jerseyans might be surprised to learn that the logistics industry is actually a leader in the environmental cleanup of polluted brownfield sites. Unusable to the public without rehabilitation, logistics industry members have created clean up and reuse opportunities up and down New Jersey.
Jersey City. Newark. Phillipsburg. Linden. Carteret. Piscataway. Old Bridge. South Amboy. Perth Amboy. Monroe. Palmyra. Logan Township. Lower Alloways Creek: These are just some of the towns in which logistics industry members have turned polluted spaces into workable, productive areas that are contributing to the economic and community well-being of the municipalities.
It’s not, however, just about economic growth and environmental rehabilitation, as critical as those both are. It’s about the little moments and experiences in our lives that happen because of logistics.
The Thanksgiving meal that many of us were lucky enough to enjoy last November with friends and family, the gifts we give and receive during the holidays, the ability to get what you need for your child’s school project or replace that kitchen appliance without spending time that you don’t have driving to the store – all of that is possible because of the logistics industry.
In November, members of the logistics industry came together to form a collaborative effort called Circulate NJ. This organization seeks to inform and educate the public on the trade’s numerous public benefits, using hard data and specific examples. More than that, we want to speak directly with residents and stakeholders about the industry and how it can continue to act as the life force behind New Jersey’s economy.
Logistics is the life force of our state’s economy. And we’re going to do our best to make sure New Jersey knows it.
David Greek is the chair of Circulate NJ and managing partner of Greek Real Estate Partners.
