I am a proud Trentonian. This is where I was born. It is where I learned the value of hard work and where I pursued the American dream — not only for myself and my three sons, but for thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout New Jersey.

For nearly three decades, I have dedicated my professional life to expanding economic opportunity. I joined the Metropolitan Trenton African American Chamber of Commerce in 1997 with a mission to connect African Americans, businesses, and residents to the economy of Trenton and its surrounding region. In 2007, I founded the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) to expand that mission statewide.

Throughout those years, one lesson has remained constant. The greatest challenge facing Black-owned businesses—and many other small businesses — is not a lack of talent or ambition. It is access: access to capital, relationships, information, and decision-makers. In communities like Trenton, another barrier often exists. Too frequently, economic opportunity is influenced by a small circle of gatekeepers, making collaboration difficult and discouraging those willing to invest in the city’s future.

That reality should concern every Trenton resident because our city desperately needs partners, not obstacles.

The economic data tells a sobering story. Trenton is home to approximately 91,000 residents, yet more than one in five people live below the federal poverty level. Median household income remains just over $52,000, significantly below many neighboring communities, and only about 15 percent of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

These numbers are not simply statistics; they represent families seeking better opportunities, workers searching for meaningful careers, and entrepreneurs trying to build businesses that can strengthen our neighborhoods.

These challenges cannot be solved by government alone.

More than a decade ago, Greater Trenton was created with precisely that understanding. Supported by respected corporate leaders and organizations — including Investors Bank, TD Bank, Janssen Pharmaceutical, Capital Health, PSE&G, Wells Fargo, and NJM Insurance Group — the nonprofit sought to revitalize downtown, attract investment, support redevelopment, and build meaningful partnerships between the public and private sectors.

The model resembled the collaborative approach that helped transform New Brunswick into one of New Jersey’s premier economic success stories.

Unfortunately, after ten years, Greater Trenton concluded its work. While many dedicated people contributed to its mission, the organization ultimately sunset, leaving behind a puzzling question: Why has Trenton struggled to sustain the partnerships necessary to achieve long-term revitalization?

That question is one that I know personally.

In August 2025, AACCNJ purchased a 27,000-square-foot building formerly occupied by Thomas Edison State University. Our vision was ambitious but practical. We envisioned the Transformation Center — a place where workforce development, entrepreneurship, higher education, and economic opportunity would intersect.

The Center would provide job readiness training, career counseling, and skilled trades instruction in carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, electrical work, and welding. It would house business incubators for aspiring entrepreneurs, host educational seminars with industry leaders, and partner with Rowan University to deliver certification programs, virtual reality training, and online education.

Before taking possession of the building, we met with city officials, Mercer County leaders, corporate partners, educational institutions, and state agencies. We shared our plans because we believed transformational projects require collaboration. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

Within days of acquiring the building, we hosted workforce training sessions, planning meetings, community tours, and a public showcase attended by the Mayor of Trenton, representatives from Mercer County, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the President of The College of New Jersey, the Chancellor of Rowan University, and leaders from financial institutions and private industry.

The excitement was genuine. So were the commitments of support.

Then came disappointment.

Despite AACCNJ’s federal and New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, the city denied our application for a property tax exemption. To date, we have paid approximately $90,000 in property taxes, face an additional assessment of roughly $60,000 by the end of this year, and have invested more than $15,000 in permits as we prepare for renovations. Ironically, this is not the first time AACCNJ has experienced this challenge. We faced a similar denial after purchasing another Trenton property in 2013.

This op-ed is not about one tax dispute.

It is about a larger pattern that many investors, nonprofit leaders, business owners, and civic organizations quietly discuss. Too often, organizations willing to invest significant financial resources, relationships, and expertise into Trenton encounter unnecessary barriers that erode confidence and discourage continued investment. If Trenton truly wants inclusive economic growth, it must become a city that welcomes partnership, encourages innovation, and values organizations that are willing to invest for the long term.

The Transformation Center is not simply a building. It represents jobs, workforce development, entrepreneurship, educational opportunity, and hope. It is exactly the kind of investment cities across America compete to attract.

I remain optimistic because I believe in Trenton. I always will.

My hope is that the Mayor, City Council, and community leaders will work alongside organizations like AACCNJ — not because we seek special treatment, but because we share a common objective: building a stronger capital city for future generations.

The AACCNJ will appeal against the city’s decision regarding our tax exemption. More importantly, we will continue investing in Trenton because our commitment has never been about one building or one decision.

The future of Trenton depends on something far greater than politics. It depends on whether we are finally willing to replace control with collaboration, skepticism with trust, and missed opportunities with genuine partnerships. The city deserves nothing less.

John E. Harmon, Sr. is founder, president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and a lifelong resident of Trenton.

The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ROI-NJ.