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Willingboro economic development committee outlines plan to recapture $401.7 million in local retail spending
Summary
The township's Economic Development Committee presented a 2025 progress report and recommended mixed‑use development, workforce partnerships with the school district and a modest budget to support small‑business outreach, saying the township currently loses roughly $401.7 million in potential retail sales to neighboring towns.
The Willingboro Economic Development Committee on Dec. 18 presented a year‑end report to the township council and asked for modest resources to expand outreach and programming in 2026.
"We want to tell the story of Willingboro and recapture the retail potential here," Jabari Adams, chair of the committee, told the council, citing events, developer outreach and a business directory launched on the township website.
The committee’s economic manager, Mark DeShield, presented census‑based data the committee said shows a “hidden market potential.” DeShield said 5,017 households now report incomes above $100,000 and the township’s potential retail sales total about $501.7 million — while current local retail generation is only about $100 million. "That means roughly $401.7 million is going elsewhere," he said, recommending promotion of mixed‑use development and targeted business sectors.
The committee outlined several near‑term steps: quarterly meetings with commercial property owners and brokers, pilot workforce programs with the district’s CTE director, one‑on‑one small business counseling through partner organizations, a dedicated economic development calendar on the township site, inclusion in the Willingboro Connect app and limited operating funds to underwrite outreach and occasional consultant or in‑town visits by small business development specialists.
Deputy Mayor Dr. Worthy and council members asked for a drafted budget showing how the requested funds would be used; Adams said the committee will deliver a proposed budget early in 2026. Council members also urged continued outreach to vacant‑property owners and use of the committee’s data to tailor marketing to target sectors.
The council thanked the committee for the report and signaled willingness to review budget requests during the next budget cycle.
