The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) today recognized 256 employers as 2007-2008 New Jersey Smart Workplaces, including fifteen (15) Hunterdon County employers.  Smart Workplaces praises employers that provide commuter benefits that help employees address limited or expensive parking, reduce traffic congestion, improve employee recruiting and retention, and minimize the environmental impacts associated with drive-alone commuting.

“During this time of record fuel prices and increasing concern about global warming, it is critical to provide transportation options which are both economical and sustainable, such as public transit, carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling, and walking,” said NJDOT Commissioner Kris Kolluri.  “These companies have made these choices available for thousands of employees in New Jersey.”

NJDOT and the state's eight Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) developed the NJ Smart Workplaces program to support and encourage companies to provide transportation programs that help their employees get to work.  The federally-funded program has grown exponentially since it’s inception in 2006, reflecting an increased commitment from New Jersey-based companies to help ease their employees’ daily commute.

Companies can qualify at the Bronze, Silver, Gold and the new Platinum level depending on the programs that they offer.  Activities range from working with a local TMA, providing transit schedules at the work site, allowing employees to deduct their commuting costs from their paychecks on a pre-tax basis, providing telecommuting and flextime programs, hosting vanpool and carpool formation meetings and providing on site amenities to reduce employees' travel requirements.

The Hunterdon County employers receiving awards today were:

BRONZE LEVEL

Glassman High Voltage, High Bridge                                                                                                                             

Senator G. W. Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital, Glen Gardner

A.M. Best Company, Oldwick                                                                                                                         

County of Hunterdon, Flemington                                                                                       

SILVER LEVEL

Hunterdon Developmental Center, Clinton                                                                                                     

Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Raritan Township                                                                                        

Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility, Annandale                                                                                                  

GOLD LEVEL

Hunterdon Healthcare Systems, Raritan Township                                                             

Chubb Personal Insurance, Whitehouse Station                              

Chubb Commercial Insurance, Whitehouse Station                                                            

New York Life, Lebanon                                                                                        

ExxonMobil Research & Engineering, Annandale                           

Ingersoll Rand, Annandale                                                                                     

HART Commuter Information Services, Flemington                                            

PLATINUM LEVEL

Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station