Rossi also to be cited as Time Magazine Dealer of Year Nominee

Ed Rossi, President of the Washington Business Improvement District's (WBID) Board of Directors from 2006-2009, and a Board Director since the organization's inception in 2003, will be the honoree at this year's WBID Business Recognition Reception on Thursday Feb. 4.

The affair will be held at the Mediterranean Bistro, Route 57, Washington Borough, from 6-8 p.m., starting with a meet-and-greet networking hour from 6-7.

Rossi announced in December that he will be stepping down as the Board President in 2010. He will remain a member of the board and Executive Committee.

Rossi, who also owns Rossi Chevrolet Buick GMC on Route 31, will also be cited at the reception for his nomination as the Time Magazine Dealer of the Year. Rossi is the only nominee from New Jersey among 45 from around the country. The award is presented by Time Magazine in partnership with Goodyear. 

The Time award recognizes dealers who exhibit exceptional business performance combined with distinguished community service. The 41st annual award will be presented during the opening session of the NADA Convention & Expo in Orlando on Saturday, Feb 13. A panel of faculty members from the University of Michigan's Graduate School of Business Administration selects the winner.

Under Rossi's guidance, the WBID has taken a lead role in pursuing improvements, particularly downtown. During Rossi's presidency, the downtown's recent $2.1 million streetscape project was completed, and this past summer, he oversaw the completion of the state-of-the-art parking lot in the center of the downtown. With Rossi's leadership, the cost of the parking lot came in initially hundreds of thousands of dollars less than previous estimates, and once it was completed, came in well under budget, leaving the WBID with enough funds to begin the process of purchasing the former Antique Store lot for a town park.

A longtime property owner in Washington Borough, Rossi has worked hard to ensure the success of the WBID. It was the long-awaited parking lot, however, that was particularly important to him as he recognized it as an important piece of the downtown puzzle that needed to be completed.

The parking lot, located between and behind the new Midtown Limited building and the former Washington Antiques site, had been in need of an overhaul for many years. Working in cooperation with Washington Borough officials, the WBID, a managed district funded by assessments on local business and property owners, was able to move the project forward. In total, the completed parking lot gained 122 new convenient parking spaces downtown.

"The parking lot was a key component to our revitalization efforts," Rossi has said. It is, he added, "an investment that benefits local businesses and residents alike. The WBID feels strongly that the parking lot makes our downtown area a more convenient and accessible place to live, to work, to visit and to invest."

This year's Recognition Reception is being sponsored by Gibson's Gym, Team Capital, PNC Bank, Good Impressions, Fliegauf Jewelers, and New Jersey American Water. Those interested in attending the Recognition Reception must make reservations in advance. Tickets are $25 per person. To get more details or to reserve tickets, please call 908-689-4800, or log on to www.washingtonbid.org.