ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ— The Borough of Englewood Cliffs has officially entered into a groundbreaking public-private partnership with LG CNS America Inc., following the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes a shared framework to explore smart infrastructure, workforce development, and student-centered innovation.

The ceremonial signing, held on July 29 at LG’s U.S. headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, marked a turning point for the Borough’s commitment to becoming a smart-city-ready community and a national model for ethical, inclusive, and technology-forward governance.

“This MOU represents more than a document, it represents momentum,” said Mayor Mark M. Park. “Together with LG CNS, we are setting the foundation for Englewood Cliffs to become a beacon of responsible innovation where smart solutions serve public purpose and technology empowers people.”

“LG CNS is honored to partner with Englewood Cliffs to shape a smarter, more resilient future,” added Jun Ho Lee, President of LG CNS America. “Our shared goal is to demonstrate how global technology can uplift local communities and create a scalable model for innovation across the country.”

“Like many municipalities in New Jersey, we were well into the 21st century but still operating with outdated systems better suited for the last,” said Councilman Tim Koutroubas. “Core operations at Borough Hall were inefficient and out of step with the demands of modern governance. Mayor Park’s administration has remained focused on evaluating, modernizing, and reimagining how local government serves its residents.

While meaningful progress has been made, today’s initiative marks a significant step forward. It reflects a clear vision for a future where innovation drives impact and technology strengthens communities.

Just as important, this venture supports not only infrastructure but also the people it serves. By creating internships for students and launching workforce readiness programs, we are investing in the next generation and building a more resilient local economy. Today’s gathering is a testament to forward-thinking leadership, and we are proud to serve as a scalable model for municipalities across the state”

A Purposeful Program with Broad-Based Support

The event reflected broad bipartisan and regional engagement, with elected officials and civic leaders in attendance from the municipal, county, and state levels. The structured program included:

• Welcome remarks from Martha Gonzalez-Abreu, LG CNS Sales Manager for Public & Private Sector Partnerships
• A keynote address by President Jun Ho Lee of LG CNS America
• Remarks by Councilman Tim Koutroubas, who also served as Master of Ceremonies
• Speeches from Mayor Mark M. Park, Senator Gordon Johnson, Mayor John Glidden of Closter, and Bergen County Commissioners Germaine Ortiz and Rafael Marte
• A live MOU signing followed by a Smart City presentation and Innovation Lab tour

Local Leadership, Regional Momentum

The MOU was made possible by a collaborative leadership team within Borough government and LG CNS.

Borough Leadership:

• Councilman Tim Koutroubas, a leading policy sponsor and advocate for modernization
• Councilman Philip Liang, who also serves on the Technology Committee and Chairs the Budget Committee
• Councilman Rashid Patel, Chair of the Technology Committee, who guided strategy alignment
• Councilwoman Rivka Biegacz, Chair of the Agenda Committee, who ensured the MOU was introduced for public discussion and legislative action
• Borough Administrator Intashan Chowdhury, MPA, who managed cross-sector coordination and implementation readiness

LG CNS Leadership:

• Martha Gonzalez-Abreu, who initiated early engagement and helped shape the vision for partnership alongside Mayor Mark Park
• President Jun Ho Lee, whose executive support has helped position LG CNS as a national partner in community-based technology innovation

Education, Internships & Economic Opportunity

Key to this partnership is its investment in youth development and workforce readiness. The Englewood Cliffs School District was well represented, including Superintendent Dr. Brower, staff, and members of the Board of Education.

The MOU supports the district’s Digital Pathways Initiative and creates new avenues for:

• Student internships at LG CNS
• Free student access to LG’s Innovation Lab
• Early exposure to careers in technology, data science, and AI

The partnership also garnered strong business sector support from the North Jersey Chamber of Commerce, with President & CEO Carol Rauscher present, highlighting the economic development potential of smart infrastructure and job creation.

What the MOU Enables

The agreement, formally adopted by Borough Council through Resolution 25-122 on June 19, 2025, is non-binding and does not authorize deployment of any technology without further public process. It outlines intent to explore:

• STEM education and internships that prepare the youth for the careers of tomorrow
• Smart, sustainable infrastructure solutions to improve traffic flow, connectivity, public lighting, and energy efficiency
• Expanded access to grant funding and future-ready partnerships that minimize the impact of the local taxpayer
• A modernized, secure approach to local governance all without sacrificing community control

All activity must be reviewed, approved, and implemented under Borough oversight. Privacy safeguards outlined in Rider A prohibit data collection, surveillance, or resident outreach by LG CNS.A Model for the Region, State, and the Nation

Englewood Cliffs is now positioned to become a regional hub for smart-city testing and innovation while maintaining its small-town identity and community values.

Through strategic partnerships, public transparency, and a focus on education, the Borough has demonstrated that local governments can embrace the future without compromising the present.