Jersey City Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey will resign her council seat to become the new executive director of the local economic development corporation.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“It has truly been the honor of my life to serve as your councilperson, and I am honored to continue my work for Jersey City in a different capacity,” Mira Prinz-Arey said in a statement.
“In my new role with the JCEDC, I look forward to advancing the five-year plan recently approved by the state. We will support for-profit and non-profit businesses of all sizes leveraging UEZ funding to drive economic development across all parts of the city.”
The JCEDC announced they were accepting applications for the executive director gig at the end of January, as HCV first reported.
The job posting offered a “competitive salary and benefits based on experience” and Prinz-Arey’s compensation was not immediately released by the city.
The mayor’s office indicated that she will be vacating her council seat to start her new job on Monday, April 14th.
“While she will be missed on the City Council, Mira’s deep understanding of our city’s needs, combined with her proven leadership, makes her uniquely qualified to drive the strategic initiatives that will create jobs, support small businesses, and strengthen Jersey City’s economy for years to come,” added Mayor Steven Fulop.
He also credited her with forming the West Side Special Improvement District, Open Space Trust Fund, Arts and Culture Trust, as well as advocating for other critical infrastructure and quality-of-life improvements since serving on the council in 2018.
“The Board is excited to welcome Mira as the new Executive Director. With her at the helm, the JCEDC is poised to further enhance its impact and drive sustainable development citywide,” noted JCEDC Chair Rosemary McFadden.
Prinz-Arey has also previously served on the JCEDC board, the Jersey City Planning board, as well as several Special Improvement District boards and also holds a Master of Public Administration degree, with a background in grant writing and nonprofit management.
“I am honored to help lead Jersey City into its next phase of growth. Economic development is critical for our stability and future. I look forward to bringing collaboration and innovative leadership to expand opportunities for residents, businesses, and entrepreneurs across the city,” she concluded.
For now, the Ward B council race in the non-partisan November 4th elections has three candidates:
Joel Brooks, who is endorsed by Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), who Brooks has endorsed for mayor, Efrain Badilla Orleans Jr., who is running with former Gov. Jim McGreevey, and Lorena Loayza, who is on Ward E Councilman James Solomon’s ticket.
But before that, the council will have to appoint a Ward B representative.
The last time they had to appoint a council member to fulfill an unexpired term was when Yousef Saleh was tapped to succeed the late Ward D Councilman Michael Yun on April 30th, 2020.
Yun died due to complications from COVID-19 on April 6th, 2020.
SHE AIN’T DO ANYTHING FOR WARD B ANYWAYS.
SHE JUST THOUGHT SHE WAS THE CITY’S FORESTER THE WHOLE TIME SHE WAS IN OFFICE.
GOOD RIDDANCE!