Submitted by the Somerset County Business Partnership. The Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP) has announced that the 2020 “BizFest,” for Somerset County small businesses and residents will be held virtually on Thursday, June 18, 2020 from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. This will be the SCBP’s first major virtual event in its history.To continue the tradition of Somerset County’s largest …

The total of Franklin Township residents who have tested positive for the coronavirus increased slightly to 1,168 over the previous 24 hours, the Somerset County Board of Health reported on May 18. There were no additional deaths attributed to the virus reported in that time period, so that total stands at 105. Test samples for the coronavirus will be collected …

The rate of coronavirus infection among Franklin Township residents is showing signs of possible slowing, with just about a week of single-digit daily growth. On May 17, the Somerset County Health Department said that 1,161 township residents have tested positive for the virus, an increase of two in the previous 24 hours. The number of township residents whose deaths were …

A nearly four-year battle against a project that would have placed a 32,000-horsepwer gas compressor station in the township ended May 15 with the denial of necessary permits by the state. In a decision based more on a technicality than environmental concerns, state environmental officials have denied a series of applications that would have allowed the construction of a 32,000-horsepower …

Submitted by Unity Bank. Unity Bancorp, Inc. the parent company of Unity Bank, was the top ranked New Jersey community bank on the recently published American Banker magazine list of the Top 200 Publicly Traded Community Banks with less than $2 billion in assets. Unity was ranked 15th nationally on the respected industry list, which reviewed 511 institutions throughout the U.S. “We are honored to …

Franklin may indeed have a farmers’ market this summer. A lack of vendors interested in participating in this year’s planned market caused it to be cancelled earlier in the year. But, as Township Manager Robert Vornlocker said on May 14, there is renewed hope. During Mayor Phil Kramer’s “virtual” town hall, Vornlocker said that Somerset County is lending a hand. …

Township officials are looking for ways to help local businesses emerge from the coronavirus lockdown. Township Manager Robert Vornlocker talked about some of the strategies being discussed during the May 14 “virtual” town hall hosted by Mayor Phil Kramer. Vornlocker described a mixed bag of relaxed ordinances and streamlined processes, all designed to help businesses regain lost ground during the …

Township officials are “in discussion” with the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders to establish a popup coronavirus testing site in Franklin, Mayor Phil Kramer said on May 14. Kramer made the statement during his weekly “virtual” town hall. “We even have a site in mind,” Kramer said. “We have been pushing it and they are diligently working on it. …

With nine more Franklin residents testing positive for the coronavirus reported in the previous 24 hours, the township logged its third consecutive day of single-digit case increases. The total of residents who have tested positive for the disease is 1,149, according to the Somerset County Health Department. Two more residents died from the disease, bringing the total fatalities to 10, …

By Mayor Phil Kramer On May 13th Franklin hit two milestones regarding COVID-19. Both of them 100. The one we will all notice is sadly, very sadly, is we reached 100 deaths. One hundred people, and hundreds of family members and friends affected. One hundred lights on our makeshift memorial. And one hundred lives cut short. We will never be …