Building Strong Partnerships: Governor Sherrill Meets with Atlantic City Leadership

Strong relationships between local and state government are often the foundation for meaningful progress in cities across New Jersey. The City of Atlantic City took an important step in strengthening that partnership when New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill visited City Hall for a comprehensive meeting with Mayor Marty Small Sr. and senior members of the Small Administration.

The meeting marked Governor Sherrill’s first in-person discussion with Mayor Small since taking office in January and provided an opportunity for both the city and the state to align priorities, share perspectives, and deepen collaboration on issues critical to Atlantic City’s future.

Mayor Small and city leadership outlined several key priorities that continue to shape Atlantic City’s growth and long-term stability. Among the topics discussed were sustained property tax relief for Atlantic City residents, the future redevelopment of Bader Field, the state’s Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) legislation, improvements along the Atlantic Avenue corridor, anti-violence and crime reduction initiatives, and expanded programming for both youth and senior residents. Each of these initiatives requires coordination between municipal leaders, state agencies, and community partners, making strong working relationships essential.

For city leadership, the meeting represented an opportunity to ensure that the Governor and her administration have a clear understanding of both the opportunities and challenges facing Atlantic City today. Atlantic City continues to position itself for long-term growth while addressing issues that directly impact residents’ quality of life. Projects such as the redevelopment of Bader Field and improvements along Atlantic Avenue have the potential to reshape key areas of the city, attract investment, and strengthen the local economy. At the same time, programs focused on public safety, youth engagement, and services for seniors remain vital to building stronger neighborhoods.

Maintaining an open line of communication with state leaders is critical to advancing these efforts.

“Relationships matter,” Mayor Small always says. “On behalf of the Great City of Atlantic City, I pledged to be a strong and collaborative partner with Governor Sherrill,” he said following the meeting.

Mayor Small noted that effective governance depends on cooperation at every level, particularly when state policies and resources play a major role in the city’s future development. He emphasized that meetings like this are an important part of ensuring that Atlantic City’s voice is heard at the state level. By maintaining strong relationships with the Governor’s Office, the Department of Community Affairs, and other state partners, the city is better positioned to secure support for initiatives that benefit residents and strengthen the community.

As Atlantic City continues to pursue redevelopment, economic opportunity, and improved quality of life for residents, collaboration between local and state leadership will remain a key ingredient in the city’s continued progress.

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