Principal Investigators: Jon Carnegie, Miriam Salerno

RU-VTC continued its partnership with NJTPA to promote implementation of the Together North Jersey plan through technical activities focused on economic competitiveness, livability, resiliency, and efficiency. The RU-VTC team provided this technical assistance to various local governments and non-profit organizations in the region through three signature programs: the Vibrant Places Program, the Together North Jersey Institute, and the Research and Knowledge-Building Initiative. The TNJ Vibrant Places Program provided local assistance to communities to leverage the power of placemaking to strengthen connections between people and places, enhancing the social, physical, and economic fabric in communities across the region. Through this program, VTC conducted short, 5–6-month local studies in communities selected and awarded through a competitive process. The TNJ Institute was open to all and provided access to training and technical assistance events on a variety of topics related to plan implementation. New for FY2023, the Research and Knowledge-Building Initiative undertook original research or developed guidance materials that were broadly applicable to communities throughout the region.