CAMDEN — They could have gone to Delaware or stayed in Mount Laurel, but Webimax opted to invest in the “city invincible”…
As of October, the NJEDA has put more than $1.1 billion on the table to lure businesses to Camden. Holtec International will receive $260 million as they construct a nuclear power plant production facility. Others, like Subaru, received $117 million to move from Cherry Hill and bring 500 jobs with them. The Philadelphia 76ers received $82 million to build a practice facility at Delaware Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Webimax, which began operations in Mount Laurel in 2008, was named one of the top 30 fastest growing companies in the U.S in 2010 and one of the best places to work by the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2011. The company of approximately 80 employees handles search engine optimization and web design for business clients.
A “sight unseen” offer from Delaware’s governor to move south left Wisnefski and company intrigued, but they figured an attempt at contacting New Jersey officials first was worth their time.
Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno made Wisnefski aware of Grow NJ, which was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in early 2012. Under the program, businesses can receive millions in tax credits in exchange for capital investments in a redevelopment zone.
“It was easier for us to stay in New Jersey,” Wisnefski said, adding that the company was told it would receive the maximum benefits if they moved to Camden. Also, there was the fear that current employees wouldn’t be able to make the commute to Delaware.
“At first, some just didn’t want to go to Camden,” Wisnefski said of his employees.
Now, they’re walking around more than they ever did in Mount Laurel, where the office was a “nameless, faceless building with no engagement with the community.”
“We’re kind of happy to be a part of what’s going on in Camden,” Wisnefski said.