Editor's Note: This article was written for Middlesex County’s Department of Economic Development which sponsored and approved this post.
Middlesex County, NJ, boasts a legacy of innovation, from Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Laboratory and his 300+ patents to Johnson & Johnson’s global headquarters since 1886. Modern pioneers like Sampled and GenScript Biotech continue this tradition. With robust infrastructure, cutting edge technology, a skilled workforce, a pro-business climate, and comprehensive supply chain support, Middlesex County nurtures a vibrant, diverse economy and thriving business community.
Middlesex County is a top global R&D center, ranking in the top 1% for university-based spending in engineering, geosciences, life sciences, computer science, and physical sciences. Home to Rutgers and Princeton universities, the county’s robust academic foundation supports a thriving life sciences corridor along Route 1, attracting companies like Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novo Nordisk, and Genmab.
Talent drives Middlesex County’s economic development. Workforce-training partnerships with employers build a robust talent pipeline to support growing industries. For example, the RWJBarnabas Health Workforce Partnership offers unique educational pathways for Middlesex College and Middlesex County Magnet Schools students. Leveraging this strong foundation, Middlesex County fosters a favorable business climate and serves as an incubator for innovation.
Top Growth Industries
Life sciences. Middlesex County’s life sciences industry is bolstered by significant investments, including the new $25 million Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center—New Jersey’s first freestanding cancer hospital opening in late 2024. The county’s biopharmaceutical sector ranks in the top 1% nationwide, attracting over $2 billion in private equity and venture capital investment since 2022.
Food technology. Middlesex County’s vibrant food science industry, encompassing R&D, manufacturing, and distribution, ranks in the top 4% of U.S. counties for food processing. It excels in the flavor, fragrance, and extract markets with a modernized supply chain, employing over three times the national average of food scientists and technologists.
Middlesex County is at the forefront of technological innovation and economic growth
Autonomous technologies. Middlesex County boasts a high concentration of experts in automation, robotics, AI, and machine learning. To harness this expertise, the county launched DataCity, an urban living lab for smart mobility. In partnership with Rutgers University and the NJ Department of Transportation, DataCity tests autonomous vehicles and advanced navigational software in real-world environments.
Steady Capital Investment
The Office of Business Engagement within Middlesex County’s Department of Economic Development plays a pivotal role in supporting the county’s business retention, expansion, and attraction efforts. In December 2023, Nokia Bell Labs announced its plan to occupy a high-tech, custom laboratory at HELIX 2, an advanced research facility under construction in New Brunswick. “New Jersey has long been home to cutting-edge innovation,” states Nokia Bell Labs. “Nokia Bell Labs is affirming its commitment to the East Coast and New Jersey and upholding our longstanding tradition of groundbreaking research and development in the region.”
“Middlesex County is at the forefront of technological innovation and economic growth,” said Sho Islam, director of the county’s Office of Business Engagement. “Our commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment and supporting industries that drive the future is unwavering. Middlesex County is more than a location—it’s a community where innovation meets opportunity.”
Middlesex County’s Office of Business Engagement assists businesses with relocation to this growing region.
Contact biz@co.middlesex.nj.us or visit www.discovermiddlesex.com/biz for more information.