History

The Mercer County Improvement Authority was created on October 17, 1967, by the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders according to the County Improvement Authorities Law (N.J.S.A. 40:37A et seq.)    Under this law, counties are able to create improvement authorities and authorize them to undertake projects for the benefit of the residents. 

In 1969, the MCIA  was given its first project - operation of the bus system in Mercer County.  Once the bus system was improved, it was renamed Mercer Metro.  It was purchased in 1984 by New Jersey Transit.

              In 1977, the MCIA acquired and rehabilitated the Van Sciver building in Trenton.   It was formely a furniture store and was in need of repairs. It is now owned by the State of New Jersey and is a tax processing center. 

 The Authority became known for its ability to finance and construct facilities which saved hundreds of thousands of tax dollars. Some of its projects consisted of the Special Services Junior/Senior High School, the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex,  the Mercer County Geriatric Center and the Mercer Oaks Golf Course.

In 1983, the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders gave the Authority the responsibility of implementing the county’s solid waste plan under the New Jersey Solid Waste Management Act.  As a result, the MCIA implemented the county recycling program.  The program allows the MCIA to reduce the amount of material flowing to GROWS, our contracted landfill, thereby protecting the environment and saving on disposal costs.   Plans were being made to build a waste-to-energy incinerator facility which would have handled Mercer County’s solid waste disposal needs well into the 21^st century.   The planned county incinerator was defeated in 1996.

           Shortly thereafter, a court decision changed the way New Jersey managed its solid waste since the late 1970s.  It required each solid waste management district to procure waste disposal services so as not to discriminate against out-of-state facilities. The Authority renegotiated its contract with GROWS Landfill in Pennsylvania, which resulted in a reduced tipping fee.  The county’s municipal trash flow continues to move through the gates of our transfer station and off to GROWS Landfill.

          In light of these changes, the MCIA continues to manage the county’s recycling program and finance/construct major projects important to the residents, local governments and non-profit communities.  These projects are not only bringing life back into our cities, but are helping towns expand their libraries, schools, and  police/fire facilities and services.