About NJ SEED

Our history

The New Jersey Society for Environmental, Economic Development (NJ SEED) was born during the recession of the early 1970s. The New Jersey business community was frustrated with a seemingly unending stream of environmental laws and regulations that stifled growth. New Jersey's labor leaders were frustrated with the continuing decline of manufacturing and with the lack of incentives to create job growth, especially in the private sector.

Early in the administration of Governor Brendan Byrne, a "Construction Workers March on Trenton" was organized with the assistance of AFL-CIO State President Charlie Marciante and New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce Vice President and chief lobbyist Lew Applegate.

On the day of the "march," some 65,000 workers crowded onto State Street in front of the statehouse to hear labor and business leaders call for measures that would stimulate New Jersey's stagnant economy.

As a result of that great day, labor and business leaders continued to meet. NJ SEED founders, in addition to Marciante and Applegate, included John Maddocks of PSE&G, Ken Pyle of Atlantic Electric, Len Ruppert of the New Jersey Petroleum Council, Bob Briant, Sr. of the Utility and Transportation Contractors Association, and other lobbyists including Art Young.