But preparing to pave the way for future growth in service, Gordon listed a number of expansion projects at the facility totaling more than $130 million. She also pointed out that AC International, with its 10,000-foot runways, is an alternate landing site for NASA's space shuttle. The runway system is also shared with a wing of the famed New Jersey Air National Guard, which has its installation on the opposite side of the sprawling property.

"We believe that we are a catalyst for economic development," Gordon said, specifically noting the amount of land under the authority's aegis.

But with rapid growth come concerns about regional planning and controlling sprawl. Noting that her organization is involved with solving such problems as job losses, traffic, urban distress, increasing costs and taxes, crumbling infrastructure and more, "all these issues are not just interconnected," Dianne Brake, president of host PlanSmart NJ told attendees. "They're inseparable. And land-use planning underlies all of these conditions."

In the absence of clear goals at the state and regional level adding, "that's the agenda for this organization," she said. "Coordination is the key, and we must plan for it all, pulling it all together under the 'smart growth' agenda," Brake said.

The basis, according to Brake, is what she termed "4-E Planning." The four "E's" are economy, environment, efficiency and equity, the latter referring to social justice.