Second Annual "Roche Goes to Town" Program Stimulates Local New Jersey Economies

NUTLEY, N.J., Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second year, Roche, in partnership with the North Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce/Clifton Economic Development Assistance Commission (CEDAC) and the Nutley Chamber of Commerce (NCoC), is hosting its local community initiative, "Roche Goes to Town," in Nutley and Clifton, New Jersey. The program began September 19 and will run through October 9.

"We were so proud of the outcome of last year's program, and the positive feedback we received from local business owners, that we were determined to make this year's program even more successful," said Roche Director of Corporate Relations and Contributions Patricia Hughes. "This year we secured participation from 144 businesses in Nutley and Clifton and are very grateful to have the continuing support of the local communities. It is our hope that local businesses will continue to thrive throughout the year as a result of continued patronage by Roche employees."

Roche has provided each of its local, full- and part-time New Jersey employees with $25 "Roche Dollars" to spend at local businesses throughout the course of the program. Participating businesses are displaying posters in their storefront windows, so they are easily identifiable to Roche employees. The businesses will later be reimbursed by Roche with U.S. currency. Last year, 140 local businesses participated in the program and $65k was directly injected into the Nutley and Clifton economies as a result of Roche employees' participation. This amount does not include the money Roche employees spent at local businesses above the $25 they were given by Roche.

"The Nutley small business owners that I've spoken to are all so grateful to Roche for launching this very generous program in our town," said Luther Engler, President of the Nutley Chamber of Commerce (NCoC). "Exposing Roche employees to what Nutley has to offer will be a great boost to our local economy." The NCoC represents 245+ local businesses, professionals and civic organizations and also has its own similar "shop local" awareness campaign entitled Love Nutley – Shop Nutley appealing to its residents and Nutley's small, hometown character and charm.

According to Gloria Martini, President, North Jersey Regional Chamber of Commerce, "The business community in Clifton received a real boost last year, thanks to the Roche Goes to Town program and we look forward to another successful year. It could not come at a better time for our small businesses, especially those that have been affected by the economic downturn. An influx of new customers will definitely help them now and in the future. I applaud Roche for this unique concept. I know of no other company that has done as much to encourage employees to 'shop locally' and stimulate the economy in the places where they live and work."  

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world's largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche's personalized healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2010, Roche had over 80,000 employees worldwide and invested over 9 billion Swiss francs ($8.7B US) in R&D. The Group posted sales of 47.5 billion Swiss francs ($45.6B US). Genentech, Inc., is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: www.roche.com or www.roche-nutley.com.

SOURCE Roche