Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios underscores investments in access to services, innovation, and people
Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios, on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, delivered the 2025 State of the County address at Middlesex College on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Unveiling strong fiscal projections, the speech emphasized the County’s commitment to expanding access to services, fostering innovation, and investing in its residents—underscoring the County’s robust support of its community and businesses.
A key highlight of Commissioner Director Rios's address was Middlesex County's continued financial stability, exemplified by its coveted AAA bond rating from S&P and Moody's for the 24th consecutive year. This fiscal strength and the recently adopted budget, under the leadership of the County’s Finance Committee Chair Commissioner Leslie Koppel, enables the County to invest $87 million in capital projects without taking on additional debt.
“Even in these uncertain times, we in Middlesex County are clear about where we’re headed,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to invest in Middlesex County families by providing the programs, opportunities, and services needed to continue to build a better future for us all.”
INVESTING IN ACCESS TO SERVICES
The address highlighted the County’s efforts to expand access to education, healthcare, and essential community services. Recently, the Middlesex County Magnet School district announced a new public high school to be built on the Middlesex College campus. Set to open in 2026, the new Middlesex County Innovation Magnet School will offer residents cutting-edge academic programs in a range of technology fields.
In healthcare, Middlesex County’s Department of Public Safety and Health, chaired by Deputy Director Shanti Narra, continues to enhance services with last year’s opening of a new public health center in East Brunswick. This center offers vital care to uninsured and underinsured residents. Additionally, the County’s Cancer Education and Early Detection (CEED) program remains a cornerstone of its public health efforts, providing residents free screenings and peace of mind.
The County is also expanding its opioid harm reduction services through automated healthcare kiosks, making these life-saving resources available in more municipalities in 2025. Furthermore, the County’s Department of Community Services, chaired by Commissioner Claribel A. Azcona-Barber, has reaffirmed its support for senior residents by amplifying the new Stay NJ program to make Middlesex County a more affordable place to live for those who have built their lives in the County. To aid the application process, the Office of the County Clerk led by Clerk Nancy J. Pinkin offers a web-based tool developed in partnership with the Office of Information Technology for residents to use.
The County’s commitment to its older residents also expands to fraud protection, with the support of County Sheriff Mildred S. Scott and the Office of Aging and Disabled hosting a Senior Fraud Prevention Conference in March, and ongoing programming throughout the coming year, to help educate the older residents about how to protect themselves online.
INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORTATION, AND PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENTS
Middlesex County’s Department of Infrastructure Management, chaired by Commissioner Charles E. Tomaro, remains committed to improving its parks and infrastructure. Investments in park spaces in Metuchen and Perth Amboy and upgrades to playgrounds, walking paths, and ball fields are enhancing recreational opportunities for residents.
The County is also strengthening its transportation network with ongoing updates to the New Brunswick Train Station, the construction of the North Brunswick Train Station, and the continued success of RIDE On Demand, which has provided more than 43,000 rides to date.
With fatal crashes on the rise, the County’s Department of Transportation, chaired by Commissioner Charles Kenny, is investing in innovative solutions. With public safety in mind, the County’s Vision Zero strategy aims to reduce traffic crashes through real-world data analysis. Under the leadership of the Prosecutor’s Office, led by Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, in partnership with local law enforcement, the recently launched Route 1 Safer Travel Initiative is another step in making Middlesex County roads safer. This spring, a new public service announcement campaign focused on reducing distracted driving will also launch.
INVESTING IN INNOVATION
In terms of technological advancements, this year the County will open the Network Operations Center, which will serve as the home for Data City, an autonomous and smart mobility initiative that will enable smart, data-driven investments. The County is also exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance government services, including improving the accessibility of the award-winning Middlesex County website with an AI chat feature. AI has also enabled the Office of the Surrogate, led by Surrogate Claribel Cortes, to provide crucial answers to residents using an AI representative to receive calls after work hours and over the weekends.
This year, the County will prioritize engagement with a cross section of public, private, and academic sector entities to ascertain AI's impact and future implications in the community.
PEOPLE FIRST: INVESTING IN THE COMMUNITY
“Our investment in building a strong economy and increasing access to critical services is about our people — our residents, our families, our employees, our businesses, and our partners,” said Commissioner Director Rios. “It’s about all of us, working together toward one common goal — to ensure Middlesex County remains the best place to live, work, and play for every generation.”
The County’s investments in economic and workforce development were also a focal point of the address. Under the Community, Innovation, and Opportunity (CIO) Strategic Investment Plan, construction is underway on the Multipurpose Community Venue and Student Center, and will soon begin for the Destination Athletic Complex at Thomas A. Edison Park. These initiatives are not only transforming the region but also providing well-paying union jobs.
Middlesex College was also celebrated for surpassing all New Jersey community colleges in total enrollment, reinforcing its role as a premier institution for education and workforce development. The County’s Department of Economic Development, led by County Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum, spearheads partnerships and investments with RWJBarnabas Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, and the Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center, creating hands-on training opportunities for future healthcare and hospitality professionals.
Enabling and ensuring more educational access, the Middlesex County Improvement Authority (MCIA) will launch the MCIA School Financing Program to provide conduit financing and project management for new school construction projects.
Commissioner Director Rios closed the address with a heartfelt acknowledgment of County employees and the impact of their work, recognizing the 2024 Employee of the Year, Jennifer Apostol, Director of REPLENISH, for her tireless efforts in fighting food insecurity.
“Our people are what matter the most,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “And it is critical that we continue to invest in people, from every resident we serve to the people who serve them.”
For more information about Middlesex County and its initiatives, please visit middlesexcountynj.gov.
