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During its May meeting Wednesday, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) board approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to purchase land in downtown Trenton for the future Maternal and Infant Health and Innovation Center.

The MOU between the Trenton Board of Education (BOE) and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (NJSDA) covers the purchase of land next to the historic Battle Monument site for $2.6 million. Located at the southwest corner of Pennington Avenue and Warren Street in Trenton, BOE currently owns the property.

The board action builds on recent momentum for the project, which First Lady Tammy Murphy has championed as part of her Nurture NJ initiative. Murphy spoke during the board meeting to advocate for the land purchase and the center. The NJEDA, Murphy and the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (MIHIA) are partnering to develop the effort. It aims to establish a hub for stakeholders committed to eliminating racial disparities and advancing maternal and infant health equity here in the Garden State.

Last month, the NJEDA board approved Capital Health, Rutgers University and Trenton Health Team as anchor tenants of the center. The MIHIA will oversee day-to-day operations.

The NJEDA board unanimously approved the land purchase item May 8.

Approximate location of the future innovation center:

Centering residents

“From its conception, this Center has been imagined as a fully three-dimensional approach to addressing our incredibly complex maternal and infant health crisis, and I am truly heartened to see this vision becoming reality,” said Murphy. “The Maternal and Infant Health and Innovation Center will provide critical maternal health services to the mothers of the Trenton community, serve as a hub for research and innovation, and create career pathways and training opportunities for Trenton students.”

Project stakeholders said they identified the North Trenton site through community engagement efforts. Its easy accessibility for residents, safety and close proximity to resources, such as Henry J. Austin Health Center and Greater Mount Zion AME Church, prioritized the property.

“Building this Center at the Battle Monument site, which is an easily accessible location for our community partners reaffirms our commitment to centering the residents of Trenton first and foremost,” said Murphy. “This is an exciting next step in the development of the Center – and I look forward to continuing our work together with our partners as we bring high quality services to Trenton.”

MIHIA President and Chief Executive Officer Lisa Asare stressed that the community engagement from day one is what makes this project so special.

“We had the opportunity to hear what they wanted to see in this Center – and where they wanted it to be located,” said Asare. “By placing the Center in a central, accessible area, we are creating a true community health hub, where expectant parents and infants can receive the quality care that they deserve.”

Working together

“The city fully supports this initiative as it will provide access to much-needed resources in our underserved communities,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. He thanked the Murphy administration, especially the first lady, for bringing this project to The Capital City.

“These types of partnerships are critical to the continued revitalization of our Capital Region,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson.

NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan called the move a major step forward.

“Maternal and infant health equity is at the forefront of Gov. and First Lady Murphy’s priorities, and the City of Trenton has been actively engaged in establishing the Maternal and Infant Health and Innovation Center from its inception,” said Sullivan.

The NJEDA plans to collaborate with the BOE and Rutgers to establish career pathways, training opportunities and more for public school students in Trenton.

“Our engagement with the Trenton BOE and Rutgers University to establish education and training opportunities will help prepare students for highly skilled, good-paying jobs at the Center,” said Sullivan.

“The Trenton Board of Education is excited to partner with the NJEDA on this opportunity for Trenton residents,” said James Earle, superintendent of the Trenton Public School District.

“The MIHIC will help uplift the Trenton community by expanding access to quality health care services and generating ancillary economic activity,” said Sullivan.