Become a Member of the Somers Point Business Association
Initiatives
- April 2025 - Hosted the celebration in honor of Somers Point's 123rd anniversary being incorporated as a city.
- On Nov 7, 2024, the SPBA secured a meeting for SPBA members with representatives from Somers Point city government to review the preliminary Somers Point Master Plan Re-examination.
- Issued the following statement on Aug 8, 2023, to Somers Point City Council and to the public about the issue of cannabis stores opening and operating in Somers Point: "The Somers Point Business Association can not support cannabis stores opening and operating in Somers Point at this time. Without clear guidelines/laws/regulations from the State of New Jersey and the City of Somers Point, to determine the level of use, our businesses, particularly our restaurants, remain vulnerable from a liability standpoint as there will need to be insurance/safety requirements and additional costs that our local business owners could incur to account for risk levels of their patrons and/or employees. There is also limited guidance for employers that may have employees who partake in the use of cannabis, potentially creating Human Resources issues to navigate the 'usage policies' within their companies. Additionally, buying and selling marijuana is illegal on a federal level so the financial institutions within our community, would not be able to accept funds or establish account relationships from any cannabis business that is opened within the City of Somers Point. While we understand there is a strong personal opinion on this topic from many members of the Somers Point community, the goal of the Somers Point Business Association is to support our local businesses to adjust to regulations that could impact their operations. There are, simply, too many unknowns to effectively move forward at this time."
- Addressed concerns of Somers Point Businesses post-pandemic regarding signage, parking, and outdoor dining. Hosted open-to-the-community workshops to gather information and feedback from concerned businesses and residents. A representative from the Somers Point City Engineers office was in attendance to provide existing ordinances, and address concerns. Results from these workshops were then presented at SPBA breakfast networking events in 2023 for discussion in an open forum. Communication was then sent to City Council for review and consideration.
- Awarded college scholarships to students who live/work in Somers Point in the name of long-time business and community leader Lou DiScioli.
- Created the Business School Partnership, now known as the Somers Point Education Foundation. The Foundation has created a $200,000 endowment for the Somers Point School Community and contributed $25,000 annually to school projects.
- One of the major catalysts that helped start the first Bay Fest event, now bringing thousands of people to town in late April.
- An ongoing part of the plan to combine federal, county, and hospital funding for the renovation of Bay Ave.
- Worked with City Council and the Planning Board on the newest Master Plan Revision.
- Work continuously to make developmental regulations more reasonable.
- Work with the Economic Development Advisory Commission on a regular basis.
- Worked with the local fire companies to have “home rule” on required inspections for Somers Point businesses.
- Host informational meetings as needed about important community projects. Past meetings included the 9th Street Bridge construction project, the Greate Bay Development Plan and the Shore Memorial Hospital $125 million expansion project.
- Spearheaded a city-wide effort to support the Shore Tomorrow Campaign in support of the hospital expansion project.
- Ongoing support for the renovations and reopening of the Gateway Playhouse (summer 2016). Annual sponsor for the Somers Point Beach Concerts.
- Support for Somers Point’s “National Night Out”.
- Support for projects initiated by Somers Point’s Veteran Organizations. One such project was in bringing the Vietnam Memorial’s MOVING WALL to Somers Point.
