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The federal stimulus package will make conventions in Southern New Jersey more sustainable. New Jersey received $73 million allocation of funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better known as the stimulus package and the state has allocated a $1.5 million grant to the Atlantic City Convention Center for construction of a single wind turbine to provide power to the facility.

The will depend on the turbine’s size. The size and scope of the project, as well as the amount of power supplied by and the size of wind turbine, is still to be determined. "We are very excited to have received a major part of the funding for this project," said Jeff Vasser, President of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, which oversees the operation of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall. "We’re looking forward to another step in helping to reduce our dependence on traditional energy sources, as well as reducing our operating costs."

Vasser noted that a project timeline can now be developed. "We still have many steps in the process, including environmental studies and permitting, before we can begin to construct the turbine, but this is an excellent first step." The total duration of the project is approximately 16 months.

The Atlantic City Convention Center is already a leader in alternative energy use and green initiatives. Last year, the building installed the largest single roof solar system in the country, which provides as much as 26 percent of the Convention Center’s electricity. Operationally, the Convention Center staff also oversees a long-standing, aggressive recycling and conservation program. In addition, Atlantic City is home to the Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm, the first wind farm to be built in New Jersey, and the first coastal wind farm in the United States.. The project produces approximately 19 million kilowatt-hours of emission-free electricity per year, which is enough emission-free energy to power over 2,000 homes

The Atlantic City Convention Center provides a bright and airy facility that can accommodate groups of all sizes, with nearly 500,000 square feet of flexible exhibit space, 45 meeting rooms ranging in size from 700 square feet to 12,900 square feet (109,100 square feet total) with voice/data and MATV, a banquet hall, exhibit floor concessions and a full range of food service options.