Editing Lacey Township, New Jersey (section)

==Economy==
Lacey Township is home to many businesses, the largest employer has been the [[Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station]]. The facility, which closed in 2018, generated $70 million in wages in 2010 for its 700 employees, making it one of the largest employers in the county.<ref name=OysterCreekClosure/>

In the early to late 2000s, Lacey experienced rapid growth in recent years with the addition of many new developments and new "big-box" stores being built around the township. Previously, township residents had to travel to [[Stafford Township, New Jersey|Stafford Township]] ([[Manahawkin, New Jersey|Manahawkin]]) or [[Toms River, New Jersey|Toms River]] to shop at these stores.

Recent local controversies have surrounded development and land use. In particular, a proposal to build a road on an old railroad right of way behind the [[ShopRite (United States)|ShopRite]] has been a major issue in the community. Other issues involve the lack of water resources to sustain the Home Depot (which opened in October 2007) and the {{convert|142000|sqft|adj=on}} Walmart that opened in October 2009.<ref>Procida, Lee. [http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/press/ocean/walmart-supercenter-opening-draws-fans-critics-in-lacey-township/article_1c8975ec-02ca-5b9e-97c0-d129e9fa607a.html "Walmart Supercenter opening draws fans, critics in Lacey Township"], ''[[The Press of Atlantic City]]'', October 8, 2009. Accessed September 21, 2016.</ref>