Two $200M projects and $21M broadband boost Cumberland County

Cumberland County is gearing up for a wave of private and public investments that promise dozens to hundreds of new jobs and improved infrastructure across the region. Two headline projects each carrying roughly $200 million in investment will be focal points: a new Lassonde Pappas manufacturing facility in Upper Deerfield expected to create about 200 jobs, and Trout National, "The Reserve," an 18-hole private golf course with clubhouse and banquet facilities spanning Vineland and Millville that is projected to support roughly 500 jobs when it opens in spring 2026.

Those projects sit alongside a series of complementary initiatives that could reshape the county’s economic profile. A newly operational data center on Lincoln Avenue is already being leased by Microsoft under a major agreement, bringing digital infrastructure and a higher-profile corporate tenant to the local redevelopment footprint. Millville Industrial Park development continues, sustaining industrial land activity that could absorb suppliers and light manufacturing linked to these larger projects.

Broadband expansion and workforce alignment are central to ensuring local residents capture the benefits. Vineland and Salem County secured more than $21 million to extend broadband to underserved homes and businesses, and the City of Vineland is advancing a municipal broadband initiative to boost connectivity within city limits. Enhanced broadband will support remote work, digital services for small businesses, and the data center’s presence, while improving access for households that previously faced limited internet options.

The Authority, which manages local development and workforce coordination, reported shared-service savings and outlined the county contribution in its 2026 budget overview. It also serves as the One-Stop Operator for the Cumberland/Salem/Cape May Workforce Development Board and highlighted progress on the 2020–2030 strategic plan. That alignment between capital investment and workforce services aims to connect training programs to the new jobs these projects will create, from hospitality and grounds management at The Reserve to manufacturing roles at Lassonde Pappas and technical support tied to the Lincoln Avenue facility.

For residents this means construction activity and hiring over the next year plus longer-term opportunities in manufacturing, hospitality, and tech-related services. It also means pressure on local infrastructure like roads, water, and housing demand in communities from Upper Deerfield to Millville and Vineland.

The takeaway? These investments are a major vote of confidence in Cumberland County’s economic trajectory, but local leaders and residents will need to steer workforce training, housing policy, and infrastructure upgrades to turn headline dollars and job counts into sustainable neighborhood gains. Our two cents? Follow municipal broadband plans closely, watch workforce training openings, and expect construction-related opportunities before permanent jobs ramp up.