From 2006 to 2007, the Heldrich Center conducted an assessment of the workforce needs of the warehousing and distribution industry in the New York/New Jersey region for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to support their portfields initiative. Port Newark/Elizabeth is the busiest port complex in the eastern United States and a critical driver of the region's economy. To support the continued growth of the port, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the State of New Jersey launched the portfields initiative to encourage the development of the warehousing and distribution industry in the region. The assessment focused on the workforce needs of the related supply chain activities, including the goods movement industry (including trucking) and port operations. The Heldrich Center analyzed all available data and conducted extensive interviews with employers to identify occupations where there is a shortage of available, qualified workers. In the second phase of the project, the Heldrich Center developed strategies for increasing the supply of qualified workers for those occupations facing a worker shortage.