“Stuart Z. Koperweis, the energetic and effective president of the JCEDC, just produced a compelling 11-minute video of the virtues of his city. A coup was getting Mort Zuckerman, publisher of The Daily News…” “It was essential that we build the new printing press”, Zuckerman said. “We decided to locate in Jersey City, literally as a life-and-death decision for the newspaper… I would say if we are happy here, it would be a flagship for many other companies…” From - New Jersey Business, Jan. 1999 - interview with Koperweis by James T. Prior, Editor-in-chief

Marketing & Promotion Liaison between public and private sectors in urban development projects, responsible for the creation of Wall Street West and the relocation of many New York F.I.R.E industry companies to Jersey City. Created slogan America's Golden Door(TM). Wrote and produced Jersey City, America's Golden Door promotional video, featured in the January, 1999 issue of New Jersey Business magazine. Established H.U.B. - Holistic Urban Building concept. Jersey City - Five Year Strategic Plan for Economic Development. Transit Oriented Development report - Impact on local government and community.

Regarding HUB, founded by Stuart Z. Koperweis, a process of putting programs in place that bring long-term growth for all residents and businesses, not just selected ones, Mayor Schundler proclaims: “Hub’s success speaks for itself. Just drive along MLK Drive and Journal Square and see the community’s new economic foundation.” From New Jersey Business: Jersey City 2000, Economic Development Supplement, Fall 2000

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Finance & Management

• Managed a $360 million budget, 2.200 employees, and 10 City Departments, 3 Public Authorities and numerous Boards and Agencies.

• Turned failing company into one of most respected urban economic development companies in the state. Took annual operating budget from $1.1 million to over $35 million, creating two subsidiary companies, with 25 employees.

• Negotiated funding of 60 projects for $52 million; producing over $2 billion in private sector investment, and creating over 35,000 new jobs.

“The city’s impetuous rebirth is a niche apart form others…” Under the leadership of Stuart Z. Koperweis at the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation, “…scores of dilapidated facades from six shopping corridors were restored to turn-of-the-century architectural motifs.” And, the “art mural-the second largest in the United States- artistically conveys the city’s resurgence…” to name but a few programs developed by Mr. Koperweis. From Plants Sites & Parks, August/September 2000 Regarding HUB Headline “Jersey City’s Holistic Urban Building”

Notable Achievements Managed a $7.5 million redesign of public space funded by four different public sources Created a Joint Venture Partnership that developed an $18 million Shopping center. Secured $2.4 million federal grant for urban lending initiatives for small business owners. Established matching grants for Special Improvement Districts (SID's); launched four (4) SID's. Obtained $940,000 in transportation funding for Passaic County. Associate Professor, Fairleigh Dickinson University: Marketing: Entrepreneurial Government

As the individual city data …reveal, virtually all of the urban “rebirth” has been the province of Jersey City which accounted for 91 percent (10,200 jobs out of 11,300 jobs) of the urban employment gains… The vast inventory of waterfront office space began to fill up quite smartly. The key, of course, for all of urban new Jersey is to identify elements similar to those that spurred Jersey City (sic) economy and replicate and adapt them to individual situations in the state’s other urban areas. From Rutgers Regional Report Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy New Jersey Cities in the 1990s: An Updated Employment Report Card

AWARDS:
National Conference for Community and Justice - Humanitarian Award - 2000 Stanton Award, Area Development Council - 1999 10 statewide / local awards for Urban Development and for Media Productions

“We were excited to know that the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation was capable of providing us with a ‘one-stop shopping’ location… The ability to have… reliable service…enabled us to secure Jersey City as the new site for Goldman Sachs!… We are grateful…” From Newmark & Company, in a letter dated November 8, 2002 form Seena Stein, SIOR.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND VOUNTEER ACTIVITIES:

National Conference for Community and Justice, Hudson County Chapter, Member Board of Directors
Downtown New Jersey, Member Board of Directors
Sister Cities International (SCI)
New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce
International Council for Shopping Centers(ICSC)
Urban Land Institute

However, Jersey City actually secured significant gains in employment share …, a reflection of its uniquely high rate of job growth… From Rutgers Regional Report Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy New Jersey Cities in the 1990s: An Updated Employment Report Card