TOMS RIVER, NJ- Feb. 20-- The Toms River Business Development Corporation, which is managed by Downtown Toms River held its annual meeting last night at the Toms River Regional School Board of Education office downtown. Three positions on the Board of Directors were re-elected by Downtown Toms River membership. Vincent D’Alessandro, Owner Director, Louise Cole, Business Director and Al Modugno, Residential Director. The Board of Directors then elected the Executive officers Frank Capone, Chair, JoAnn Juralewicz, Vice-chair, Rick Purpuri, Treasurer, Barbara Rivolta, Secretary and Louise Cole, Assistant Secretary.

Chairman of Downtown Toms River Board of Directors Frank Capone, told the audience “Much has been accomplished in the past year.” He then described the Toms River BID-VIP Discount Program featuring the first 30 downtown businesses to offer discounts for their retail, dining and professional services. A three day a week cleaning program on the most heavily traveled pedestrian foot paths, and removal of unsightly free publication boxes throughout
downtown,”- and other accomplishments. “The Board of Directors and staff of Downtown Toms River are working with municipal, county and state agencies to develop an economic revitalization plan that will improve business profitability and enhance commercial property values,” Capone added.

Michael Redpath, Downtown Toms River’s newly appointed interim Executive Director, also addressed the audience stating, “We are stressing involvement, this is not just an undertaking to fill some vacant stores. It is an effort to revitalize the heart of a community, and that requires widespread involvement.” Redpath explained “I am a big believer in starting with what you have and doing incremental improvement- building on the great assets that you already have but are under-developed.” He also spoke of efforts to assist existing businesses to thrive while developing plans to recruit and retain new businesses.

Downtown Toms River was established by township ordinance in late 2002 and began functioning formally in July 2003. A business improvement district is a tool for revitalizing a specific business area within a community. Through the municipality, the businesses in that defined area levy an assessment on themselves to support a professional organization to manage the area's economic revitalization and health. Downtown Toms River is bordered by the Toms River, the Garden State Parkway, Hooper Avenue, and the south side of Route 37.

More information regarding Downtown Toms River and its activities can be obtained by calling 732-341-8738 or visiting the BID’s web site at www.DowntownTomsRiver.com.