As the COVID-19 pandemic ebbs, employers are left wondering how they should run their business, what risks they should be willing to take and what kind of pain could likely be felt.

This week’s digital issue of NJIBZ – ready or not, New Jersey is getting set to reopen again, but is it too soon?; a panel of experts answers questions about how businesses can recover from the pandemic during our Town Hall event; we shine our spotlight on Engineering, and more!

Physician practices here and across the country deserve to have a seat – and a voice – at the table to obtain access to the latest evidence and innovations that can allow them to operate more efficiently, evaluate and improve the quality of patient care and ultimately, the health of patients and the community in New Jersey.

Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement that he was taking the “most aggressive steps” on reopening so far in the pandemic generated considerable excitement among business owners. But some groups question whether employers will be able to scale up to meet demand once the restrictions are eased. And public health experts worry that the state might be jumping the gun.

A new push to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure will likely boost the already high demand for engineering services — but a shortage of STEM-trained job candidates could crimp firms’ ability to handle the new projects. There’s a bright side, though: To fill the gap, companies are increasing their outreach to historically underrepresented groups.

If President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure proposal is passed in some form, T&M Associates and other engineering firms could see a lot more work like the firm's construction management and inspection services for the $13 million Grasselli Access Road Bridge in Linden coming their way — and the Northeast region as a whole will be better off, according to John Cimino, chief strategy officer at the national engineering and technical services consulting company.

With capacity limits being lifted May 19 and patrons allowed to sit on barstools again May 7, restaurants will have the opportunity to bring in more business in a less rulebound way, reminiscent of pre-pandemic business.

The Biden administration has placed environmental technology — including solar, wind and other “green energy” solutions — front and center of the national conversation. Besides being good for the planet, this emphasis will likely mean more activity for engineering firms, according to local experts.

The honorees for our annual program recognizing Garden State business leaders over the age of 60 hail from a variety of industries, including law, health care, finance, nonprofits, education, marketing, commercial real estate and more. Meet this year's winners, who we'll celebrate during a virtual event in June!

Dr. Dale Caldwell, professor and executive director of the Fairleigh Dickinson University Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, explores why technological innovations are important for average workers, and not just for identifying the next big thing that will transform entertainment, social media, transportation or communication.

Joy Lindsay and Nadirah Simmons weren’t surprised when they got calls from IFundWomen about a tentative program geared to support women entrepreneurs of color like them. They were, however, surprised by the $25,000 check they each received, and by the support and mentorship that followed from American Express and IFundWomen subsidiary IFundWomen of Color, who surprised 100 Black women nationwide with funds and 100 days of resources.

The next chapter of Eric LeGrand’s remarkable story is set where it all began, in his hometown of Woodbridge. And in a come-full-circle moment, it takes place in the neighborhood where he lived the first few years of his life, where the former Rutgers University football star is planning to open LeGrand Coffee House downtown later this year.