Mercer County Executive Dan Benson on Tuesday delivered his 2025 State of the County address before business leaders and local officials, declaring the county on stronger financial footing and laying out an ambitious agenda centered on infrastructure upgrades, public health improvements, and inclusive economic growth.
“Last year, when I spoke, I was clear about the challenges ahead,” Benson said. “We were in a tough financial spot. So we rolled up our sleeves, we tightened our belts, and we went to work.”
According to Benson, the county faced a $27 million deficit when he took office, along with deferred charges, underfunded departments, and overdue audits. “Internal financial records were in disarray,” he said. But over the past year, his administration implemented cost-saving measures, modernized accounting systems, and restored oversight of grants and procurement processes.
“These changes are starting to deliver results,” Benson said, citing a recent report from Moody’s credit agency praising the county’s improved budgeting practices and predicting a growing fund balance.
From stabilization to investment
Benson pointed to numerous capital and community investments now underway across Mercer County, including road resurfacing, sidewalk upgrades, and bridge replacements. Among them: the award-winning rehabilitation of the Montgomery Street Bridge in Trenton, new ADA-compliant sidewalks, and the opening of a roundabout near Avalon Station in West Windsor.
“We’ve partnered with all 12 of our municipalities and with Greater Mercer TMA to launch the countywide Vision Zero Action Plan,” Benson said, referencing a data-driven initiative to improve traffic safety.
The administration also secured $6.5 million in state funding to upgrade the Trenton Thunder ballpark, with plans to bring the stadium up to Major League Baseball standards and potentially attract an affiliated team. “It’s about what happens around the stadium,” Benson said, “creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and making our streets more vibrant.”
Elsewhere in Trenton, the South Broad Street Vision Plan aims to transform a key corridor into a modern, walkable district. And at the Trenton-Mercer Airport in Ewing, a terminal replacement project is moving forward after Benson’s team restructured the funding to free up federal dollars for other needs.
Community services, equity initiatives expand
Beyond infrastructure, Benson emphasized the county’s expanded focus on public health, human services, and diversity initiatives.
A new Office of Food Security was created with a $2 million investment in anti-hunger programs. A Respite Center was launched to support hospital-discharged residents lacking housing. The county has partnered with InSite Health to provide community-based mental health outreach, and an Opioid Settlement Commission now includes representatives from every municipality.
“This year, we’ve made significant strides in addressing food insecurity, housing, mental health, and homelessness to ensure that no one in Mercer County gets left behind,” Benson said.
He also spotlighted the newly formed Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, which provides access to services and legal resources, and emphasized efforts to improve diversity in public contracting. A new micro-funding program is being launched for minority-, woman-, veteran-, and LGBTQIA-owned businesses with five or fewer employees.
“While the federal government is rolling back DEI initiatives, Mercer County is stepping them up,” Benson said.
Public safety and preparedness
The speech also highlighted the implementation of the P25 Radio System, which allows for real-time emergency communication across all municipalities. A new shared-service agreement will support a regional hazmat response team, and a comprehensive health needs assessment is set to roll out in 2025.
Health Officer Kristin Reed has provided temporary public health coverage for Trenton and Hopewell during staffing transitions, and the Office of Emergency Management conducted nine joint exercises over the past year.
Benson credited staff for those improvements: “Thanks to [Deputy County Administrator] Ana Montero’s leadership, Mercer County is more resilient than ever.”
A unified vision, but challenges ahead
Benson concluded with a call for continued collaboration and innovation across county agencies and partner organizations. “We’ve built strong partnerships with Mercer County Community College, the Board of Social Services, Technical Schools, and the Library System,” he said. “There’s no limit to how many partners we can have, because everyone has a role to play in Mercer County’s success.”
Still, Benson acknowledged that challenges remain. “We’re not out of the woods. We still face some tough decisions as we continue to clean up,” he said, citing uncertainty at the federal level and ongoing community needs.
“For the first time in a long time, there’s real energy and excitement about the future of Mercer County and our Capital City,” he said. “Because of the hard work of this amazing team, I can say with confidence that the state of Mercer County is much better today than it was just a year ago.”
Board of County Commissioners Chair Kristin McLaughlin echoed that sentiment following the speech. “Over the past year it’s been great to see so many people excited again about what our County government is doing,” she said. “We’re proud of the partnership we’ve built with the County Executive, and of everything that we’re doing together to move Mercer County forward.”
