Hillsborough Township NJ

V CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 10 were struggling, and provide some sort of opportunity for them to keep their businesses open.” As a result of the Township’s efforts, Hillsborough has managed to maintain a vibrant local economy and is working to fill the few storefront vacancies that are available. To further promote local businesses, the Township introduced an Economic and Business Development Commission, (EBDC). “We have a website that the EBDC runs for our businesses through the Hillsborough Business Association (HBA), which offers free advertising to local businesses. The HBA also hosts networking events to bring business owners together. Restaurant Week, a very successful event, highlights and promotes local eateries. The HBA also publishes an online newsletter that businesses can utilize at any point at no charge,” highlights Lipani. Creating a Downtown District in the Heart of Hillsborough Development and zoning efforts in the township are focused on establishing a downtown in the center of the community. The recent construction of a bypass on State Highway 206 diverts truck traffic away from this area and will go a long way toward the goal of creating an attractive and walkable downtown area for dining, shopping, and community events. “The downtown area was presented in our master plan back in the 90s, and we’re still striving to see it to completion,” Lipani acknowledges. “When new developments or properties become available, we ask that they be built with that vision in mind, so that we can have a central location for our community to come and park their car, walk, enjoy an ice cream cone, have lunch, maybe take in a car show or something to that effect. That is where our focus is long term.” Balancing Growth and Community Hillsborough Township recognizes the importance of balancing its industrial and commercial sectors to enhance its economic stability. “That’s always a balance of bringing large-scale