Reducing the number of New Jersey’s 566 municipalities will save taxpayers money and improve the business climate, according to advocates for local government consolidation. Their efforts are now getting support from a new nonprofit, Courage to Connect New Jersey, and from an attempt by residents of Merchantville to combine with its larger neighbor, Cherry Hill. Gina Genovese, executive director of Courage to Connect New Jersey, said municipal mergers can lead to increased economic development.