Passaic County Commissioner John Bartlett, who serves on the NJTPA Board of Trustees, was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) at the organization’s national conference in Seattle this week. As the Region II District Representative, Commissioner Bartlett will represent Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania on the national board.
Commissioner Bartlett brings more than a decade of leadership in regional planning to the national level. Since joining the NJTPA Board of Trustees in 2013, he has helped guide over $30 billion in infrastructure investments across northern and central New Jersey. He served as Chairman of the NJTPA Board in 2022–2023 and has chaired both NJTPA’s Project Prioritization Committee and its Planning & Economic Development Committee.
During his tenure, more than $600 million in federal funding has flowed into Passaic County for infrastructure projects large and small. These include major road and bridge reconstructions, safety improvements for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, rails-to-trails projects, and the completion of Passaic County’s portion of a 103-mile regional Morris Canal Greenway. Commissioner Bartlett has also championed transit-oriented development and been a leading advocate for the Gateway Program, including the $12 billion Hudson Tunnel Project.
“Regional planning is where federal priorities and local needs meet,” said Commissioner Bartlett. “It’s an honor to represent the mid-Atlantic region and continue working across geographic and political boundaries to support the smart, sustainable and collaborative investments that strengthen our communities. Especially as new funding under the five-year Bipartisan Infrastructure Law diminishes next year, the Association’s national advocacy will be vital for Passaic County and the NJTPA region to continue to invest in infrastructure and economic development.”
“I’m thrilled that Commissioner Bartlett has joined the National Association of Regional Councils’ Board,” said NJTPA Executive Director David Behrend, a member of the association’s Executive Directors Council, which reports to and advises the board. “I’m certain he will bring the same energy, enthusiasm, and commitment that he’s demonstrated for more than a decade with the NJTPA. This new role will help us continue and expand our ongoing work to improve the lives of North Jersey residents through smart regional planning and investment.”
NARC serves as the national voice for regional planning organizations, promoting cross-jurisdictional collaboration on transportation, housing, environmental sustainability, and economic development.