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VOA gets $6.3 million to move to Camden

A Collingswood nonprofit will receive $6.3 million in tax incentives to move its headquarters to Camden, making it the latest entity to relocate there with help from the state Economic Development Authority (EDA).

A Collingswood nonprofit will receive $6.3 million in tax incentives to move its headquarters to Camden, making it the latest entity to relocate there with help from the state Economic Development Authority (EDA).

The EDA on Tuesday approved the request by Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, a Christian ministry that has an office in Camden as well as offices in other locations in the area, for $633,750 in breaks annually for 10 years.

The organization plans to move 65 jobs about five miles, from an office on White Horse Pike to a city location on Market Street. The group, which provides emergency housing, addiction services, domestic violence programs, and more, had considered moving its headquarters to Pennsylvania, according to the EDA.

A representative from Volunteers of America did not return a call for comment.

The nonprofit applied for the funding under the state's Grow New Jersey program, which provides assistance to employers that invest in struggling cities as part of the 2013 Economic Opportunity Act. That law, which U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D., N.J.) championed as a state senator, allowed the broad use of tax incentives to lure employers to Camden.

Since 2013, the EDA has awarded more than $630 million to businesses that plan to relocate in Camden, including $118 million to the Cherry Hill-based Subaru of America and $107 million to defense contractor Lockheed Martin to move 250 workers from Moorestown.

It also awarded $40 million in incentives to Cooper Health System to move 353 office jobs from Cherry Hill and Mount Laurel. Norcross' brother George E. Norcross III is chairman of the board of trustees of Cooper Health.

Energy company Holtec International received $260 million in tax incentives to move from Evesham, and the 76ers received $82 million to build a practice facility on the Camden riverfront.

Critics have said the deals have largely involved the relocation of high-paying jobs from elsewhere in South Jersey with no strategies aimed at addressing the city's chronic unemployment. Officials have said the moves will create about 500 jobs, as well as construction jobs for building projects, but the approvals made through the EDA do not require the companies to hire city residents.