Buena Vista Township

“44 Miles of Opportunity”

Buena Vista’s motto is “44 Miles of Opportunity.” While in reality, the Township is just under 42 square miles, it is a place of opportunity, with plenty of open space, farmlands, majestic Pinelands, nature preserves, and even lakefront beaches.

Buena Vista Township was incorporated in 1867, from portions of Hamilton Township. Portions of the township were later taken to create Folsom and Buena Borough. The locals pronounce it as “BYOO-NUH,” and like neighboring Buena Borough, it was named after the 1847 Battle of Buena Vista of the Mexican-American War.

Farming is a way of life in the township, especially in communities like East Vineland, Richland, and Milmay. The area is known for its tomatoes, as well as corn and other vegetables. Many farms also grow specialty crops. Several greenhouse operations grow a wide variety of flowers and plants.

In these farmlands, several rivers have their headwaters: The Manumaskin Drainage Basin, part of the Maurice River, as well as the Tuckahoe and South Rivers, which are tributaries of the Great Egg Harbor River. These rivers have a positive environmental impact on the region, and they get their start in Buena Vista. The Maurice River even has a National Wild and Scenic River Designation.

The original inhabitants of Buena Vista Township were the Lenni-Lenape tribe. The Lenape’s historical territory consisted of most of New Jersey, including what is now Buena Vista Township. Before European settlement, the Lenape lived off the region’s natural resources. The earliest settlements can be traced to Deep Run in the Pancoast Mill area. European settlers arrived in the 16th century and permanently settled in the 1700’s. One of the earliest settlers was John Campbell, who bought land in 1773 and opened a tavern, the Olde Midway Inn. In 1774, the Friendship Church was established.

The reason that people came to this area was the soil that was available for farming and that sand, which helped produce both sand mining operations and glass manufacturing plants, was readily available. Today, soil and sand are still the primary businesses in Buena Vista Township. Farms are abundant and specialty glass companies are still located in Buena Vista.

Facts About Buena Vista Township

Housing in the township is primarily single-family homes, along with mobile homes. Residents refer to their area using the names of many of the unincorporated areas of the township, such as Buena, Richland, Milmay, East Vineland, Collings Lakes, New Kuban, Lake Ann, Buena Acres, and Newtonville.

Newtonville has several historic cemeteries. There are several other historic properties and buildings in Buena Vista Township, including the schools in Milmay and Newtonville which are now private homes. More on the history of the township can be found here.

Nearly all of Buena Vista Township is in the Pinelands with the exception a section of East Vineland. The New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve is a protected natural area of unique ecology covering more than one million acres.

Buena Vista has been able to maintain its rural character and preserve its open spaces. There are several parks, including Michael Debbi Park in Richland. This is the largest park with a street hockey rink, basketball and tennis courts, and baseball, softball, and football fields.

Saw Mill Park is located on Route 40 in Richland Village. This park features a gazebo, steel Conrail train caboose, and a 9/11 and Veterans Memorial. The park is adjacent to the famous Patcong Valley Model Railroad Building which includes the Buena Vista Township Visitors Center.

John W. Quigley Park is in Collings Lakes. The park features a street hockey rink, basketball and tennis courts, and a playground. There is also a picnic area.

The Unexpected Wildlife Refuge is a protected natural habitat of almost 800 acres of forests, fields, bogs, streams, and lakes. It provides a refuge to animals and plants indigenous to the area. The Refuge gets its name from Unexpected Road which was named one of the wackiest street names in the country according to Car Connection.

Buena Vista holds many events every summer, including the Truck Festival and Richland Village Festival. For a full list, visit here.

Commercial and Residential Development Information

Since Atlantic County’s formation in the 1800’s, the western part of the county has retained much of its rural character. Atlantic County and the local communities have worked to strengthen the role that agriculture plays in these communities.

The township has identified potential areas of growth and encourages development in upland areas that are already serviced by existing infrastructure while seeking to maintain the protection of environmentally sensitive areas.

Additionally, the township’s goal is to protect high-valued farmland and maintain rural-type community attributes.

Farms and sand are abundant, and many of the farms have significant seasonal employees during summer months. Companies such as Comar Glass and SP Wilmad-Labglass are examples of specialty glass companies that have chosen to remain in Buena Vista. Other businesses have expanded to Buena Vista, including Inspira, which opened a medical complex on Route 40. Future expansion envisions physicians and services to be located here. Other large employers are: Teligent, a pharmaceutical company, Waste Management, and Palmieri Electrical Contractors.

Buena Vista Township works with local and regional economic development organizations, such as the ACEA, the NJ Business Action Center, and the State Economic Development Authority to find incentives for businesses.

Business Contact:

Lisa A. Tilton,

Township Administrator, Planning & Zoning Board Secretary

(856) 697-2100 ext. 1

[email protected]

Residential Programs

USDA’s Rural Housing Service offers loans and loan guarantees for single- and multi-family housing in rural areas. All of Buena Vista Township’s residential properties are eligible for these loans. Qualification for these loans, loan guarantees, and grants is based on income. The USDA has both Direct Loans and Guaranteed Loan Programs.

 

Are there any financial/tax benefits to developing in this municipality?

Local Small Business Loan Programs from the Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA) 

For Atlantic County Businesses | ACIA Business Loans May be Combined with Small Business Administration Loans for Maximum Impact

Click here for details

 

New Jersey Economic Development Authority Business Loan and Incentives Programs 

For New Jersey Businesses | Various Loans and Incentives | Click here for details

 

Primary Contact

• Name: William Ruggieri
• Title: Mayor
• Email: [email protected]