Community Tour: Atlantic County

Getting out into the community to hear firsthand how people are experiencing the economy is a top priority for President and CEO Anna Paulson, who became the leader of the Philadelphia Fed in July.

On September 4, President Paulson kicked off a listening tour across the Third Federal Reserve District - which covers Delaware, southern New Jersey, and eastern and central Pennsylvania - with a stop in Atlantic City. Connecting directly with the people, organizations, and businesses, small and large, who are the backbone of our region's economy is essential to how the Philadelphia Fed fulfills its public service mission. By design, all of the Federal Reserve Banks are deeply rooted in the regions they serve to ensure that regional and local views inform the Fed's monetary policy.

"Our work to promote a strong economy is grounded in our commitment to listening to and learning from the communities we serve across the Third District," President Paulson said. "These insights are crucial for both our research and our participation in regional and national economic conversations."

In Atlantic City, a tour of Atlantic Cape Community College's skills lab brought to light how important healthcare jobs are to the local economy. President Paulson met with community leaders and spoke with college students who are training to be on the front lines of emergency care.

As with many regions, education and healthcare, or "eds and meds," have been the fastest growing sectors for jobs in recent years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, education and health services made up 14.2 percent of employment in the Atlantic City area as of July 2025, with year-over-year growth of 3.5 percent as of that date.

The college has seen increased enrollment across its health-focused programs, including within its Health Professions Institute. These programs prepare students for healthcare careers as medical assistants, licensed practical nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, phlebotomists, and more - jobs that are in demand locally.

During a roundtable discussion with community leaders, President Paulson discussed how local perspectives on economic conditions are essential to the Philadelphia Fed's work in the region and inform the insights she brings to monetary policy discussions at the Federal Open Market Committee.

"My policy decisions are based on data and research, but also, candid conversations like these that are happening at kitchen tables, in meeting rooms, and on factory floors across our region," said President Paulson.

Community leaders representing hospitals, higher education institutions, foundations and nonprofits, and state and local government joined the conversation, discussing the area's growing healthcare sector and their efforts to strengthen pipelines to jobs.

The Philadelphia Fed has deep relationships within the Third District and frequently convenes community stakeholders to understand issues affecting their regional economies. In turn, this helps foster collaboration around solutions. As an example, many of the local leaders at the roundtable were also part of the Philadelphia Fed's Anchors for Equity Research in Action Lab.

Over the span of a year and a half, representatives from local hospitals, workforce agencies, economic development organizations, foundations and nonprofits, and others came together to research and explore ways to build stronger pathways to jobs and careers. One of their key findings was the need for a shared approach to expanding access to jobs that can lead to healthcare careers and to coordinating economic and workforce development in the area.

Leaders point to plans that are underway to coordinate how workforce organizations, job training programs, employers, and those leading economic development efforts in the city and the county work together on common goals for strengthening the local labor market.

"Connecting with people is one of the most important - and among my favorite - parts of this job," said President Paulson.

"Every insight is valuable and important to how I represent our region's perspective in national monetary policy discussions to promote a strong economy."