CIO Strategic Investment Plan

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The Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan will
transform the Middlesex College campus into a leading destination in New Jersey

As part of Middlesex County’s Destination 2040 Strategic Plan, the County, in partnership with the State of New Jersey, has announced the Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan. The plan has been designed to meet the diverse needs of the community by further promoting educational opportunities, community engagement, and the arts among Middlesex College students and residents of all ages.

The plan will improve the lives of so many in the community by not only expanding the educational offerings of both Middlesex College and the Middlesex County Magnet School system, but will turn the College’s campus and surrounding facilities into a multi-faceted destination for the region. Once complete, the facilities will drastically transform the outdoor activities available to families and individuals across both the County and the State of New Jersey.

As a result of this plan, the Middlesex College campus will become the focal point for education and workforce in Middlesex County. With the leadership of the College, the Magnet Schools, and the Workforce Development Board all co-located on the Middlesex College campus, this plan will enable us to build a stronger foundation for students -- whether in high school or college or adults seeking new opportunities -- to join the workforce of the future.

Highlights of the plan:

an open-air Multipurpose Community Venue for concerts, cultural events, and multiple sports such as baseball, soccer, or lacrosse
a new Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School
a new Student Center which will include campus and community amenities
a Destination Athletic Complex featuring 14 multi-sport synthetic fields; 16 tennis courts and a state-of-the-art recreational cricket field; and much more
an expansion of the existing exterior spaces, activating these areas by adding public art, seating, and water features
a Workforce Development & Conference Center
a new Community Park featuring an educational children’s amenity

New Updates:

2025

On Wednesday, August 13, Middlesex County celebrated a major milestone in its Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan with a behind-the-scenes tour and ceremonial steel beam signing at Middlesex College. Click here to view the press release.
On Monday, March 3, 2025, Middlesex County breaks ground on the Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School at Middlesex College. Click here to view the press release.
On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Middlesex County hosted a groundbreaking event of the state-of-the-art Multipurpose Community Venue and Student Center. Click here to view the press release.

2024

On Friday, September 27, 2024, the National Park Service adopted the environmental assessment prepared by Middlesex County, NJ on the proposed upgrades to Thomas A. Edison Park. Click here for full details on this decision and read the statement from Commissioner Director Rios, click here.
Summary of Improvements to Thomas A. Edison Park
Read Commissioner Charles E. Tomaro’s Op-Ed in ROI-NJ
Consistent with the federal regulatory review process through NEPA and the National Park Service Federal Lands to Park Program, an Environmental Assessment has been developed for the Thomas A. Edison Park Project. This Environmental Assessment is available for review and public comment on the National Park Service website. Comments may be submitted to the National Park Service on their website. The document will be available for public comment through September 3, 2024.
Middlesex County announced the completion of design in Phase 1 of the Community, Innovation, and Opportunity Strategic Investment (CIO) Plan on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the North Lawn of Middlesex College. The event showcased the completed designs of the Multipurpose Community Venue, the Middlesex County Student Center, and the new Middlesex County Magnet School, marking a pivotal point where progress becomes tangible, with construction expected to begin in the fall.

2023

As part of Middlesex County's Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan, Middlesex County and Rutgers Athletics have entered into a letter of intent, solidifying a partnership with the Scarlet Knight baseball program, spanning three to five years. Announced on July 31, 2023, this collaboration will designate the future Multipurpose Community Venue located on Middlesex College’s campus as a home field for Rutgers baseball, beginning with the 2026 season. Additionally, the County intends to explore new educational pathways for Middlesex College students — the largest feeder college to Rutgers University.

2022

Announced officially to the public on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, in a press conference held at the Middlesex College, County leadership along with key state and local government and school district officials spoke about the long-term economic impact Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan will have and how it will transform the region. The plan is designed to transform and bolster Middlesex College and the Magnet School System, as well as meet the diverse needs of the entire community. Click here to view the press release.

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