As we go to press this month, New Jerseyans are enjoying exceptionally low gas prices that are under $2.00 a gallon for regular gasoline. Motorists don’t have to do much to enjoy these prices … simply drive up to the pump and say, “Fill’er up.”

Things are more involved when small business owners try to reduce their electric and natural gas bills. Investments have to be made in everything from more efficient light bulbs and appliances to larger energy systems, such as: heating, air conditioning and ventilation; solar; geothermal; and wind systems. Additionally, with the deregulation of the state’s electric market in 1999, businesses have the opportunity to shop around for third-party energy suppliers and their competitive per-kilowatt-hour rates.

Though driving up to the pump and getting automatic gas savings is much easier than implementing some of the energy-saving options mentioned above for the home or business, energy companies and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) are easing the search for power savings in a variety of ways.

In our cover story, “Energy Savings for Small Businesses,” Assistant Editor Anthony Bucci uncovers the programs and services being offered to entrepreneurs. He writes about what businesses need to evaluate when shopping for a third-party energy supplier. He also discusses the value of the BPU’s New Jersey Clean Energy program and its related New Jersey SmartStart Building and Direct Install programs. You will learn how participating energy companies can help a business take advantage of these offerings and their own energy-reducing products and services. This article is a must read for every business owner.

Additionally, we look at what is being done to save Atlantic City in our spotlight on “Economic Development in South Jersey.” Written by Contributing Writer Michael Silverstein, you will learn about last year’s closings of four casino hotels in the resort town and the efforts in place to change this gaming destination into an attraction for families, sports enthusiasts, the meetings and convention industries and more. No one should write Atlantic City off. Florida developer Glenn Straub has purchased the shuttered Revel Atlantic City casino hotel for $95.4 million and has announced a $500-million plan to turn the city into a family destination. The Tropicana Casino & Resort is in the midst of a $35-million, four-phase expansion and Harrah’s is building a $126-million conference center. Meanwhile, the always confident Don Guardian, mayor of Atlantic City, predicts better times for the city in 2015.

We hope you enjoy these and other stories in this issue.