Newark Alliance: A Unified Force for Economic Growth and Community Development

On July 9, 2025, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced the formation of the Newark Alliance, a collaborative initiative bringing together the Newark Downtown District (NDD), the Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau (GNCVB), and Invest Newark under one common vision. This unification comes after a unanimous approval from the Newark City Council, marking a significant milestone in the city's journey towards enhanced economic development, tourism, and community engagement.

The Newark Alliance aims to create a results-driven organization to ensure that the downtown area remains vibrant, safe, and appealing for all its residents, visitors, and businesses. According to Mayor Baraka, the consolidation of these efforts represents a strategic move towards establishing Newark as a global destination for living, working, and investment. "This strategic alignment will increase accountability and allow us to achieve a wide spectrum of shared goals in this time of incredible growth, momentum, and opportunity," he stated.

To support this transformative initiative, the Newark Alliance is not just merging organizations; it's expanding its leadership team to focus on critical areas such as maintaining cleanliness and safety, attracting tourists and residents, and supporting local businesses. This new governing structure will include 15 members, featuring former board chairs from both the NDD and the GNCVB, along with city leaders such as C. Lawrence Crump, the City Council President, and Eric S. Pennington, Esq., the City Business Administrator.

In his remarks, Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the importance of Newark's role in New Jersey's economic growth. He expressed pride in the partnerships forged within the city aimed at boosting housing development, launching Strategic Innovation Centers, and fostering a vibrant arts scene.

The Newark Alliance's formation has been bolstered by the guidance of Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consulting group committed to improving urban environments worldwide. They provided advice based on national best practices to ensure that Newark can seize this historic opportunity effectively. Todd Rufo, the economic development lead at Bloomberg Associates, remarked that the unification is a bold and strategic shift that will significantly contribute to Newark's economy and enhance the downtown experience for its residents.

Evan Weiss, the CEO of Newark Alliance since 2021, expressed enthusiasm about the consolidation's potential impact on the community. He believes that this unified organization will play a pivotal role in attracting businesses, promoting downtown development, and enhancing Newark's overall brand identity.

As part of this transition, Newark Alliance will leverage its enhanced capabilities to address pressing challenges faced by Newark's residents. This includes initiatives such as tackling chronic homelessness and launching the largest tree planting campaign seen in decades. Moreover, the Alliance will coordinate public improvements and community events, providing a platform for local festivities such as Halsey Fest and Newark Fan Fest, leading up to the World Cup in 2026.

The unification will also focus on amplifying Newark’s identity as a vibrant cultural hub, drawing in visitors and major businesses alike. This is bolstered through partnerships with local organizations that aim to showcase success stories of home-grown businesses while attracting new investments.

Among the newly defined roles within the Newark Alliance, Evan Weiss will serve as CEO for both the Alliance and the Newark Downtown District. Alexandra Snape-Rogers has been appointed COO, focusing on operational excellence and supporting small businesses. Kate Klinger will take on the position of Chief Systems Transformation Officer, driving inclusive change strategies across community, environmental, and health initiatives. The marketing front will be led by Ashley Mays, while improvements within the downtown area will be managed by Susan McKay, the Chief District Management Officer. Lastly, Jorge Santos will serve as the Chief Real Estate and Investments Officer, concentrating on development and small business growth.

In conclusion, the Newark Alliance is set to transform the landscape of Newark, fostering economic growth while enhancing the quality of life for its residents and visitors. The collaborative approach, involving multiple key stakeholders, is designed to deliver lasting benefits to the city and position Newark as one of the most exciting and equitable cities in America.

For more information regarding Newark and the Alliance's initiatives, you can visit City of Newark's official site or Newark Alliance's official site.

Together, Newark's past successes will serve as a foundation for building a promising and prosperous future.