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Lakewood officials see themselves as a key player in the future economic success of the entire county. On WOBM-AM's Townsquare Tonight, Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dave Nicola believes the anticipated population growth of the township will drive the transformation.

"As the Lakewood population is expected to grow from, let's say it's 125,000 now in 2014 to about 230,000 by 2024, with that ... jobs are coming and executive type jobs," Nicola said.

Nicola believes that businesses needed to serve the population as well as the needs of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurt will draw more high paying jobs to places like the Lakewood Industrial Park and other areas of the county for the first time.

However, with growth comes the need for infrastructure improvements. Lakewood Committeeman Ray Coles said even though they haven't given up hope for the widening of Route 9, they've been quietly working on a proposed third artery through town. He said right now the proposed roadway is struck between Vine Street and Cedarbridge Avenue because of wetlands issues.

"But we are working with the state and if we can get that last link combined ... it won't be a direct straight shot but there will be a third north/south artery through town from Route 70 all the way up to Cedarbridge Avenue," Coles explained.

Coles isn't worried that the township's increased population will attract the same urban issues that are typically seen in large cities like Newark. He believes that Lakewood will attract mostly families.

"I mean, you've got a different community that's moving to Lakewood. It's unique in a sense that it's not subject to the high crime that you might see in other areas. It's family oriented. It's a religious community that really is involved," Coles said.

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