Trenton’s Maternal and Infant Health and Innovation Center selects location

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At its May meeting Wednesday, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to purchase land in downtown Trenton for the future Maternal and Infant Health and Innovation Center.

The MOU between the Trenton Board of Education (BOE) and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (NJSDA) includes the purchase of land adjacent to the historic Battle Monument site for $2.6 million. Located at the southwest corner of Pennington Avenue and Warren Street in Trenton, BOE currently owns the property.

The board’s action builds on recent momentum for the project First lady Tammy Murphy has championed as part of its Nurture NJ initiative. Murphy spoke at the board meeting to advocate for the land purchase and the center. The NJEDA, Murphy and the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (MIHIA) are working together to develop the effort. It aims to create a hub for stakeholders committed to eliminating racial disparities and advancing maternal and child health equity here in the Garden State.

Last month, the NJEDA board approved Capital Health, Rutgers University and Trenton Health Team as tenants of the center. The MIHIA will oversee daily operations.

The NJEDA board unanimously approved the land purchase item on May 8.

Approximate location of the future innovation center:

Centering residents

“From the beginning, this center has been envisioned as a fully three-dimensional approach to addressing our incredibly complex maternal and child health crisis, and I am truly encouraged to see this vision become a reality,” said Murphy. “The Maternal and Infant Health and Innovation Center will provide essential maternal health care services to the mothers of the Trenton community, serve as a hub for research and innovation, and create career paths and educational opportunities for Trenton students.”

Project stakeholders said they identified the North Trenton location through community engagement efforts. Ease of access for residents, safety and proximity to resources such as the Henry J. Austin Health Center and Greater Mount Zion AME Church made the property a priority.

“Building this center on the Battle Monument site, an easily accessible location for our community partners, reaffirms our commitment to putting Trenton residents first and foremost,” said Murphy. “This is an exciting next step in the Center’s development – ​​and I look forward to continuing our work with our partners as we bring high-quality services to Trenton.”

MIHIA President and Chief Executive Officer Lisa Asare emphasized that community involvement from day one is what makes this project so special.

“We had the opportunity to hear what they wanted to see in this center – and where they wanted it,” Asare said. “By placing the Center in a central, accessible area, we are creating a true community health hub, where expectant parents and babies can receive the quality care they deserve.”

To collaborate

“The city fully supports this initiative as it will provide access to much-needed resources in our underserved communities,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. He thanked the Murphy administration, especially the first lady, for bringing this project to the capital.

“These types of partnerships are critical to the continued revitalization of our capital region,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson.

NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan called the move a major step forward.

“Maternal and infant health care equity is at the forefront of the administration’s and First Lady Murphy’s priorities, and the City of Trenton has been actively involved in the creation of the Maternal and Infant Health and Innovation Center since its inception,” said Sullivan.

The NJEDA plans to work with the BOE and Rutgers to establish career paths, educational opportunities and more for public school students in Trenton.

“Our partnership with the Trenton BOE and Rutgers University to create education and training opportunities will help prepare students for highly skilled, high-paying jobs at the Center,” said Sullivan.

“The Trenton Board of Education is pleased to partner with the NJEDA on this opportunity for Trenton residents,” said James Earle, Superintendent of the Trenton Public School District.

“The MIHIC will help uplift the Trenton community by expanding access to quality health care services and generating additional economic activity,” said Sullivan.