The location of a methadone clinic next to the Joseph Oat Company and adjacent to the beleaguered Waterfront South community is an excellent study in how forces engaged in the “Re-development of Camden” , whether through intent or oversight, conspire to damage local neighborhoods and businesses while they take credit for progress.

 Whether this is intentional or just another exercise in incompetence (someone not doing their homework); the result is the same.  Damage to the local community, damage to a respected, long term business, and another damaging blow to the credibility of the “Redevelopment” strategy.

In early January of this year, the Camden Chamber of Commerce put through a combination of phone calls, emails and letters to Congressman Rob Andrews, Joe Balzano of the South Jersey Port, the Camden County Freeholders, City Council President Angel Fuentes and a variety of other agencies within the City.  Initial promises of ‘we’ll look into it’ yielded neither answers nor follow up responses.

Let us introduce you to the Joseph Oat Company, winner of the Chamber’s 2004 Business Achievement Award:

Joseph Oat Corporation is the oldest continuously operating industrial fabricating business in the United States. The Corporation has been privately owned and family operated throughout its 219 year history.

• Moved to Camden in 1966.
• 130+ Employees.
• $40 million in Annual Sales.
• Operator of the world’s largest ‘clean room’ used for metal fabrication.
• Major contract to assist in the clean-up of the nation’s largest stockpile of lethal radioactive waste.
• % of Camden Employees – 70%

These are factors that should earn them the respect and recognition of those who would risk the loss of this company to our region by inviting 1000 methadone addicts daily to mingle with executives from all over the world who visit the Joseph Oat Company.

The Camden Chamber of Commerce asks the South Jersey Port Corporation and the elected officials responsible for the redevelopment of Camden to rethink the location of this clinic.  We also pledge to assist in alternate site selection if asked.