Noted economist to serve as NJBIA’s top economic adviser

Well-known New Jersey economist Joel Naroff has been named the top economic adviser for the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, the business organization announced recently.In addition, NJBIA said Econsult Solutions will serve as the organization’s economic advisory firm.

“I am excited that Joel and Econsult Solutions made the decision to come on board with us,” Michele Siekerka, CEO and president of NJBIA, said in a news release last week. “Joel and Econsult Solutions’ expertise will allow us to better inform the public policy debate and help us to work toward the creation of a better business climate for our members.”

In his role as NJBIA’s chief economic adviser, Naroff will analyze business and economic issues for the association, helping it represent its members on issues before policymakers. Naroff, who has been president of his firm, Naroff Economic Advisors Inc., for 16 years, has also served as a top economist in the banking industry during his career.

 “I am looking forward to working with NJBIA,” Naroff said. “I can’t wait to start diving into the issues so we can inform the debate over how to improve the state’s economic climate.”

One of Naroff’s and Econsult’s first tasks will be producing NJBIA’s first in-depth report covering the key factors that drive the cost of doing business in New Jersey.

“It is important that, going forward, we develop the empirical data that will enable NJBIA to advocate effectively on tax and economic issues,” Siekerka said. “As we know, numbers don’t lie. We believe it is important to put the data behind our positions so that policymakers can clearly see why our economy is performing the way it is and develop the most effective way to create an environment that will give business the confidence to invest and create jobs.”

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