Jake Mcnichol, Author at NJEDA

TRENTON, N.J. (November 17, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today released for public feedback updated rules for the Emerge Program as amended by P.L. 2021, c. 160. Members of the public are encouraged to review the preliminary rules and submit written feedback through an online form available on the Economic Recovery Act website.

The Emerge Program is New Jersey’s new job creation incentive program created under the ERA. Through the program, small and large businesses, as well as non-profits, can apply for tax credits to support projects that meet minimum capital investment, job creation or retention, and other requirements. To date, the NJEDA has approved two projects through the Emerge Program to support more than 3,500 good jobs.

The updated rules are the result of statutory changes made by P.L. 2021, c. 160. The draft amended rules will be available for public comment until December 1, 2021. Members of the public can review the rules and provide comment at https://www.njeda.gov/economicrecoveryact/program-specific-feedback/.

In addition to the Emerge Program, the ERA creates a suite of programs that includes tax credits to incentivize job creation, new construction, and revitalization of brownfields and historic properties; financial resources for small businesses; support for new supermarkets and healthy food retailers in food desert communities; new funding opportunities for early-stage companies in New Jersey; and support for the growing film and digital media industry. The NJEDA will continue to engage the public as new programs and rules are developed.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses call NJEDA Customer Care at 609-858-6767 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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TRENTON, N.J. (November 10, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today released for public feedback rules for the Net Operating Loss (NOL) Program as updated under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA) and P.L. 2021, c. 160, including new measures to support woman- and minority-owned businesses. Members of the public are encouraged to review the preliminary rules and submit written feedback through an online form available on the Economic Recovery Act website.

“Governor Phil Murphy is committed to driving long-term economic growth in New Jersey by building the most diverse, inclusive innovation ecosystem in the nation,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The NOL Program has a long history of success helping early-stage companies with the greatest growth potential launch and grow in New Jersey. The updated program rules released today will increase this important program’s impact and help us continue to grow New Jersey’s innovation economy.”

The NOL Program enables tech and life sciences companies to sell their New Jersey net operating losses and/or research and development (R&D) tax credits for cash. Buyers can purchase tax credits at a discount and apply them to reduce taxable income.

To date, more than $1.07 billion in funding has been distributed to over 550 technology and life sciences companies since the NOL Program’s inception in the late 1990s. In 2020, 49 companies were approved to sell a combined $54 million through the program. The average award for companies approved to sell their net operating losses through the program last year was $1.1 million.

The updated rules released today incorporate changes mandated in the ERA, including increasing the NOL Program’s annual cap from $60 million to $75 million and raising the lifetime cap for an individual company from $15 million to $20 million. The updated rules also expand the type of participating companies subject to the initial allocation to include companies located within an opportunity zone and certified woman- or minority-owned businesses.

Draft NOL Program rules will be available for public comment until November 24, 2021. Members of the public can review the rules and provide comment at https://www.njeda.gov/economicrecoveryact/program-specific-feedback/.

In addition to the NOL Program, the ERA creates a suite of programs that includes tax credits to incentivize job creation, new construction, and revitalization of brownfields and historic properties; financial resources for small businesses; support for new supermarkets and healthy food retailers in food desert communities; new funding opportunities for early-stage companies in New Jersey; and support for the growing film and digital media industry. The NJEDA will continue to engage the public as new programs and rules are developed.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

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TRENTON, N.J. (November 10, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority Board today approved rules for the Aspire Program, a place-based economic development program created under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA) that supports mixed use, transit-oriented development by providing tax credits to commercial and residential real estate development projects that have financing gaps.

As authorized by the ERA, the Board approved rules that will be effective immediately for a short-term duration, enabling the NJEDA to move forward with instituting the program this year. Concurrently, the Board also approved publishing the rules for public comment prior to adopting longer-term rules.

“New Jersey’s economy is growing, and with economic growth comes the need for housing and commercial development,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The Aspire Program is a much-needed incentive that will support the construction of new housing and commercial projects throughout the state, with an emphasis on communities that have been left out of growth in the past.”

“Supporting equitable development and growth that aligns with communities’ priorities is central to Governor Murphy’s economic plan,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The Aspire Program rules approved today establish the framework for a robust policy that will support much-needed mixed use, transit-oriented development in communities all around New Jersey. Importantly, these rules also build in much-needed safeguards to ensure transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. This is an important step forward for New Jersey that will drive sustainable, inclusive growth.”

“The Aspire Program rules that were approved today will facilitate the development of transformative mixed-income, mixed-use projects that will promote housing opportunity and economic growth throughout our state,” said NJHMFA Executive Director Melanie R. Walter. “We look forward to working with community and development partners to implement these rules, seamlessly combining Aspire and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, from the NJEDA and HMFA, respectively, and leveraging these valuable resources to produce high-impact, high-quality development that benefits our residents.”

The Aspire Program is part of the suite of programs created under the ERA to address the ongoing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and build a stronger, fairer New Jersey economy. The Board action taken today approved special adoption rules for the Aspire Program, which will go into effect immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law and will remain in effect for 180 days. During this time, the NJEDA will propose the same rules as long-term rules and undertake the Administrative Procedures Act required 60-day public comment process. This dual track approach, authorized by the ERA, will allow the Authority to begin accepting applications near the end of this calendar year, when Aspire’s predecessor program, the Economic Redevelopment and Growth (ERG) Program, sunsets.

In line with the Murphy Administration’s Executive Order 63 and the NJEDA’s commitment to transparency and accountability, and in anticipation of today’s vote, the NJEDA publicly posted a draft copy of the Aspire Program proposed rules several weeks ago and actively sought public feedback. This feedback process included two public listening sessions, an opportunity to submit written overall programmatic comments, and a channel to submit detailed feedback on the proposed rules.

The Aspire Program encourages mixed use, transit-oriented development in New Jersey by providing tax credits to commercial and residential development projects that have a financing gap. The amount of tax credits a project is eligible to receive is a percentage of the project’s eligible costs, subject to a cap that is determined by the project’s location, other financing available, and other aspects of the project. Most projects are eligible for tax credits up to $42 million, but projects that meet specific criteria may receive tax credits up to $60 million. Projects that qualify as “transformative projects” may receive tax credits up to $350 million.

To be eligible for Aspire Program tax credits, a project must be located in an eligible incentive location, which may include: Planning Area 1, Aviation District, Port District, or Planning Area 2 or other Designated Center that is within a half mile of a rail transit station or a high frequency bus stop. Film production projects may be located anywhere in the State.

Projects must also meet minimum size and cost thresholds. Commercial projects must include at least 100,000 square feet of retail or commercial space. Residential projects must have eligible project costs totaling $5 million to $17.5 million depending on location.

Projects that meet certain parameters can qualify as “transformative projects” and receive tax credits above and beyond the caps that are established for standard projects. Transformative projects must have eligible costs of at least $100 million and be at least 500,000 square feet or up to 250,000 square feet for film studio projects. Transformative projects must also demonstrate special economic importance to New Jersey and leverage New Jersey’s mass transit assets, higher education assets, and other economic development assets to attract or retain employers and skilled workers.

In addition to meeting these baseline eligibility requirements, the developer of a project seeking Aspire Program tax credits must be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Department of the Treasury. Projects must also comply with environmental laws (including flood hazard requirements), meet green building requirements, and pay prevailing wages to construction workers and building service workers. Retail, warehouse, and/or hospitality establishments with a certain number of employees that are included in projects with a State proprietary interest and that receive tax credits must enter into a labor harmony agreement with a labor organization or cooperating labor organizations that represent relevant employees in the State.

In line with Governor Murphy and the NJEDA’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency, the Aspire Program rules include provisions, such as a gap financing review, excess revenue sharing requirements, and a net positive economic benefit test for most projects, to ensure tax credits are awarded responsibly.

Collectively, projects under the Aspire Program and the Emerge Program – a separate ERA tax incentive program focused on attracting high-quality jobs to New Jersey – are subject to a program cap of $1.1 billion per year in tax credit awards for each of the first six years of the programs, with the cap split between northern and southern counties. Unused amounts may be carried forward each year, and any remaining unused tax credits are available in the seventh year.

The Aspire Program rules also include requirements to ensure that communities where projects are located participate in and benefit from the economic growth the project generates. As part of the application for projects, applicants must provide a letter of support from the governing body of the municipality or municipalities in which the project is located and projects with an eligible project cost equaling or exceeding $10 million must also enter into a Community Benefits Agreement with the Authority and municipality or county in which the project is located.

Furthermore, projects including newly constructed residential units must set aside at least 20 percent for occupancy by low- and moderate-income households. The NJEDA will build on the coordination and collaboration practices with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) that were established under the ERG program to ensure that Aspire projects with affordable housing components comply with housing rules and meet the housing needs of New Jersey’s growing work force.

In addition to the Aspire Program, the ERA creates a suite of programs that includes tax credits to incentivize job creation, new construction, and revitalization of brownfields and historic properties; financial resources for small businesses; support for new supermarkets and healthy food retailers in food desert communities; new funding opportunities for early-stage companies in New Jersey; and support for the growing film and digital media industry. More information about these programs is available at https://njeda.com/economicrecoveryact.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 1, 2021) – The New Jersey Wind Port has been awarded the “Strategic Infrastructure Project of the Year” award at CG/LA Infrastructure’s 13th Annual North America Infrastructure Leadership Forum. This award, together with the significant interest from global companies in leasing space at the Wind Port, confirms the offshore wind industry’s strong and sustained interest in partnering with the State to turn New Jersey into an internationally recognized offshore wind hub that will drive economic growth and job creation for decades to come.

“The New Jersey Wind Port is a transformative project that will provide immediate environmental and economic benefits and set New Jersey on a path to a more sustainable and prosperous future,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This award and the demonstrable interest the wind industry has already shown in the project once again confirm New Jersey as the capital of offshore wind in the United States.”

“The New Jersey Wind Port is a forward-thinking project that will move us closer to Governor Murphy’s vision for a stronger, fairer New Jersey and cement New Jersey’s position as the U.S. capital of offshore wind,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The Strategic Infrastructure Project of the Year award recognizes this project’s transformative potential, and the significant interest from global leaders in the wind industry shows that our strategy for growing this industry in New Jersey is working.”

“CG/LA Infrastructure is honored to present the NJEDA with 2021 Strategic Project of the Year Award for the New Jersey Wind Port. With 55% of the vote, the project was selected over the SOO Green HVDC Link, the Northeast Maglev, and Clean Path NY, which were each nominated from the 2021 North American Strategic100 Top Infrastructure Projects List. As the first greenfield offshore wind port in the US under construction and given the project’s strategic place in the nascent industry’s supply chain, we celebrate the project’s milestones thus far and look forward to celebrating future phases of development!” said Colin Whelan, Director of Projects, CG/LA Infrastructure.

Offshore wind is a central component of Governor Murphy’s Energy Master Plan to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2050. As part of that plan, New Jersey has committed to producing 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2035.

The New Jersey Wind Port is a first-in-the-nation infrastructure investment that will provide a location for essential staging, assembly, and manufacturing activities related to offshore wind projects on the East Coast. At full build-out, the Wind Port has the potential to create up to 1,500 manufacturing, assembly, and operations jobs and drive billions of dollars in economic growth.

The NJEDA recently announced that six leading offshore wind developers and manufacturers have submitted 16 non-binding offers to sublease space at the Wind Port that NJEDA staff have preliminarily determined to be compliant. All bidders put in multiple offers encompassing different parcels, project configurations, and levels of investments.

CG/LA Infrastructure is the authority on infrastructure strategy and project development. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CG/LA advises senior-level leaders, policymakers, investors, and infrastructure project developers from more than 20 countries across the public-private spectrum. The North America Strategic Infrastructure Leadership Forum is a two-day conference featuring more than fifty infrastructure projects and 500 infrastructure executives. The forum is not sector-specific and features projects from highways and bridges to urban mass transit and energy.

More information about the New Jersey Wind Port is available at https://nj.gov/windport.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

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TRENTON, N.J. (October 28, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has received 16 non-binding offers to become tenants at the New Jersey Wind Port from six of the largest turbine manufacturers and offshore wind developers in the world. The offers were made in response to a recent Notice for Sublease of Property. This solicitation result confirms the offshore wind industry’s strong and sustained interest in partnering with the State to turn the New Jersey Wind Port into an internationally recognized offshore wind hub that will drive economic growth and job creation in South Jersey and throughout the Garden State.

“The New Jersey Wind Port is a game-changing investment that establishes New Jersey as the capital of offshore wind in the United States,” said Governor Phil Murphy, “The overwhelming response to this early opportunity to lease space at the Wind Port from the biggest global players in offshore wind shows that we are already well on our way to achieving this vision and driving economic growth that firmly aligns with our environmental goals.”

“I am not surprised that many of the most successful offshore wind manufacturers and developers in the world want to join us in this project,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “We have captured the world’s attention with a Wind Port that will be the nation’s first onshore site built with the purpose of servicing an offshore wind industry. It will position South Jersey at the epicenter of the emerging industry for wind farms off the Jersey Shore and along the entire Atlantic Seaboard. The economic benefits will be significant and long lasting. This project will create hundreds of construction jobs, support thousands of ancillary jobs, and generate $500 million in annual economic activity. It didn’t happen by accident. This is the realization of a vision that has been more than a decade in the making, going back to our Offshore Wind Economic Development Act of 2010. It was an investment in New Jersey’s future that capitalized on our strengths, including a highly skilled workforce and an effective transportation infrastructure, and our willingness to invest in the evolving clean energy sector. It is an investment in New Jersey’s future that will put our state in the forefront of a new industry that will offer expanding opportunities for generations to come.”

“We have taken significant steps to competitively and sustainably position New Jersey for the economy of the future,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “Our state’s commitment to clean, renewable energy with our investment in offshore wind is just one key example of this bold and ambitious leadership. News from the NJEDA of several global leaders in offshore wind bidding to develop our nation’s largest port makes it is clear New Jersey has captured the world’s attention, and with that we are confident we will move forward with a development plan that best prioritizes the interests of our diverse communities.”

“I am pleased that so many offshore wind energy companies – including some of the largest in the world – have expressed interest in the New Jersey Wind Port,” said Assemblyman John Burzichelli. “With fewer restrictions and greater access to various wind markets, this site is perfectly positioned to serve as a hub for America’s offshore wind industry. Our efforts to establish this port will lead to the creation of hundreds of new jobs and will advance our state toward a clean energy future.”

“Not only will this port help our state achieve its clean energy goals, it will also help increase the use of offshore wind throughout the rest of the world,” said Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro. “The interest in the New Jersey Wind Port goes to show just how critical it will be in expanding the offshore wind industry. Enabling environmentally-friendly energy sources while creating good-paying, union jobs is a win-win for our region, and I look forward to seeing this project continue to advance.”

“The New Jersey Wind Port is a critical piece of Governor Murphy’s plan to curb the effects of climate change and set New Jersey on the path to long-term, sustainable economic growth,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The significant interest we are seeing in the Port from many of the world’s largest offshore wind businesses validates our expectation that building this unique infrastructure resource would attract the attention of the global industry and establish New Jersey as a leader in the U.S. offshore wind industry. Going forward, this will drive investment and job creation in South Jersey and throughout the state.”

“Offshore wind is a major component of New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan and a pillar of the Governor’s plan to achieve 100 percent clean energy,” said New Jersey Board of Public Utilities President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “The development of the New Jersey Wind Port with manufacturing and marshalling facilities will lead to lowering the cost of offshore wind. The interest from leading offshore wind companies in the New Jersey Wind Port shows the critical role this infrastructure project will play in attracting offshore wind projects to New Jersey and provides strong evidence that Governor Murphy’s strategy for attracting offshore wind investment is working.”

“The interest we are seeing in the New Jersey Wind Port demonstrates that we do not have to choose between addressing climate change and creating jobs,” said Jane Cohen, Executive Director, Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy. “Through this project and Governor Murphy’s other efforts to combat climate change, we can drive economic growth, strengthen our workforce, and create family sustaining jobs for all New Jerseyans who want to be in involved in the green economy.”

On September 29^th, 2021, the NJEDA posted a Notice for Sublease of Property at the New Jersey Wind Port seeking non-binding offers from offshore wind developers and component manufacturers on four parcels of property at the Port, including two parcels of property that are being purpose-built for offshore wind marshalling, staging, and final assembly of turbines; and two parcels that are being purpose-built for offshore wind turbine component manufacturing and assembly. The deadline for submissions was Friday, October 22^nd, 2021.

Six bidders submitted 16 non-binding offers that NJEDA staff have preliminarily determined to be compliant. All bidders put in multiple offers encompassing different parcels, project configurations, and levels of investments. Compliant bidders included offshore wind developers and manufacturers.

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC (Atlantic Shores), Ørsted Wind Power North America LLC (Ørsted), and Beacon Wind LLC (Beacon Wind) are offshore wind developers that submitted offers for Parcels A and B1, which are being purpose-built for offshore wind marshalling, staging, and final assembly of turbines.

All are major players in the US offshore wind industry with projects ranging from Massachusetts to Maryland and have parent organizations with global offshore wind portfolios. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) has awarded more than 3,700 MW of offshore wind projects to Ørsted and Atlantic Shores, a 50:50 joint venture between Shell New Energies and EDF Renewables. Beacon Wind, a 50:50 joint venture between Equinor and bp, has been awarded projects by New York State.

GE Renewables US LLC (GE), Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Inc. (SGRE), and Vestas-American Wind Technology, Inc. (Vestas) are the three largest offshore wind turbine manufacturers in Europe and the United States. All three have submitted bids for both Parcels C and G, the two manufacturing parcels available at the Wind Port.

Sixteen offers have been preliminarily determined by Authority staff to be compliant with the solicitation’s requirements and will be scored in the coming days. After scoring is completed, the Authority anticipates beginning negotiations with some or all of the parties with compliant bids. The NJEDA Board will review and determine final compliance determinations, scoring, and approval of binding offers and subleases on a parcel-by-parcel basis in months to come, after the Authority completes negotiations.

More information about the New Jersey Wind Port is available at https://nj.gov/windport.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

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TRENTON, N.J. (October 18, 2021) – Applications for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Small Business Lease Grant open Wednesday, October 20^th, at 9:00 a.m.

The Small Business Lease Grant provides grants up to 20 percent of annual lease payments to small businesses and nonprofits entering new or amended market-rate leases for at least 250 square feet of street-level space. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded.

More information and the application are available at https://www.njeda.gov/small-business-lease-grant/.

Please Note: This announcement is for the Small Business Lease Grant only, which is a separate program from the Small Business Improvement Grant. Applications for the Small Business Improvement Grant will launch at a later date, which the NJEDA will communicate to the public on its website and through social media accounts prior to application launch.

Program Details

The Small Business Lease Grant is a $10 million program designed to revitalize downtowns and main streets by offsetting a portion of the cost associated with businesses and nonprofits leasing street-level space.

Through the program, eligible businesses and nonprofits that are entering new or amended market rate leases can receive two grants totaling up to 20 percent of annual lease payments. The first grant will be paid to entities immediately after they are approved for the program and execute the grant agreement, and the second grant will be paid after the first year of the lease.

To qualify, businesses and nonprofits must enter a new lease, lease amendment, or lease extension that includes at least 250 square feet of street-level office, commercial, or retail space. The applicant must also commit to remaining in the leased space for at least five years. Complete eligibility criteria are available at https://www.njeda.gov/small-business-lease-grant/.

In line with Governor Phil Murphy’s commitment to a stronger, fairer recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, 40 percent of the $10 million allocated to the Small Business Lease Grant will be targeted to businesses and nonprofits in census tracts that were eligible to be designated as Opportunity Zones. This targeting will help to ensure resources are available to minority- and women-owned entities and communities that have faced disproportionate burdens as a result of COVID-19.

The Small Business Lease Grant is the first of several programs the NJEDA will launch in the coming months under the Main Street Recovery Program. Created under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020, the Main Street Recovery Program is a $100 million small business support program that will fund multiple financial assistance products aimed at supporting the growth and success of small businesses in New Jersey. More information about the Main Street Recovery Program is available at https://www.njeda.gov/main-street-recovery-fund/.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

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TRENTON, N.J. (October 13, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board today approved the use of up to $400,000 in Economic Recovery Fund (ERF) funding to provide matching funds as part of the Authority’s participation in four applicant coalitions to the United States Economic Development Administration (U.S. EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC). The Authority will provide up to $100,000 to support each coalition that is selected by the U.S. EDA as a Phase 1 finalist in the BBBRC to assist with the development of the coalition’s Phase 2 application.

“Governor Murphy and President Biden have made tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting a strong, equitable recovery a top priority. The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is a unique opportunity for New Jersey to bolster our industry clusters to better address the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and identify a slate of transformational economic development initiatives,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The NJEDA is proud to support applicant coalitions in key sectors with potential to drive transformative economic growth and job creation. The funding approved today will help ensure these applicants have the best chance of success if they are selected as finalists.”

The BBBRC is a federal program that will fund projects that create high-quality jobs, increase wages, and revitalize communities in places that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants for the Challenge act as a regional coalition with one lead entity per application.

Applications for Phase 1 are due October 19, 2021. During this phase the U.S. EDA will select 50 to 60 winners to receive planning grants of up to $500,000. Winners will use these planning grants to support the preparation of the coalition’s Phase 2 application, which is due March 15, 2022. During Phase 2, the U.S. EDA will choose 20 to 30 winners to receive implementation grants of $25 to $100 million.

The matching funds approved today will be available to support coalitions the NJEDA is participating in that are chosen as Phase 1 finalists as they work to prepare more detailed applications for Phase 2, including strengthening collaborations with industry partners and/or community groups; undertaking feasibility studies, architectural plans, or engineering studies; and continuing the development of component projects to prepare for the Phase 2 application or for other future funding opportunities.

The NJEDA is participating in four applicant coalitions focused on aviation innovation, biomanufacturing, clean energy, and smart ports. Coalitions were selected due to the leadership of, or the participation by, another government entity (including state universities) and for their alignment with New Jersey’s targeted industries identified in Governor Murphy’s economic plan.

The aviation innovation coalition is focused on smart aviation and aerospace in South Jersey, including Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Advanced Air Cargo, and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). The coalition is considering infrastructure construction projects, including a vertiport and droneport; airspace planning; workforce training programs; microgrants for underrepresented youth to develop aviation innovations and businesses; and curricula for regional high schools and colleges focused on UAS and AAM. This coalition is led by Atlantic County and the Atlantic County Economic Alliance (ACEA).

The biomanufacturing coalition is focused on advanced manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and developing new, more efficient ways to produce medicines to reduce reliance on foreign drug manufacturing and shorten supply chains to help patients. The coalition is also working on training an expanded workforce on new and unique manufacturing processes, enabling digital design of products and processes, accelerating pharmaceutical product and manufacturing process development, and developing real time quality assurance processes. This coalition is led by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and will leverage existing physical, educational, and talent assets in the Northeast corridor, including the NJ BioScience Center, the NJ Innovation & Technology HUB, BioCentriq at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), major research institutions, community colleges, and major biopharma companies with headquarters in New Jersey.

The clean energy coalition is building on the Murphy Administration’s historic investments in decarbonizing New Jersey’s economy by expanding New Jersey’s clean energy sector, specifically offshore wind, clean transport, energy storage, and smart grid technologies. The coalition is considering infrastructure projects, workforce training, and business acceleration efforts to support the manufacturing supply chain for clean energy. The coalition is led by Rowan University and includes multiple other higher education partners and thought leaders in the clean energy space.

The smart ports regional coalition is focused on optimizing ports in the greater Newark area to expand regional economic impact and spur large-scale job creation. The coalition will focus on innovative transportation systems, including industry projects of advanced technologies for freight movement, clean energy, data analytics and secured IT systems, supply chain improvements, workforce development, facility design, and an on-line property marketplace for off-port related businesses. These projects will be guided by principles of equity and social and environmental justice. This coalition is led by the City of Newark in partnership with NJIT.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

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TRENTON, N.J. (September 29, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced the first approvals under the Ida/Henri Business Assistance Grant Program. The NJEDA anticipates approving relief awards for hundreds of additional businesses and nonprofits in the coming weeks.

“The damage caused by the remnants of Hurricanes Ida and Henri was a tragic and unexpected challenge for communities that were rebounding strongly in the wake of COVID-19,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The Ida/Henri Business Assistance Grant Program is providing much-needed immediate support to help businesses and nonprofits rebuild, and the NJEDA is working closely with Governor Murphy to provide additional resources to support his vision for a stronger, fairer recovery.”

Created in early September to support communities that were impacted by the remnants of Hurricanes Ida and Henri, the Ida/Henri Business Assistance Grant Program is a $10.5 million program that provides grants of $1,000 to $5,000 to businesses and nonprofits that were damaged by the extreme weather that passed through New Jersey in late August and early September.

Grants awarded through the program are provided in the form of reimbursement of August rent or mortgage payments.

To ensure grants reach businesses in the hardest hit communities, including communities of color, one-third of the funding available through the program is targeted to businesses with a primary business location within a census tract that was designated as eligible to be selected as an Opportunity Zone.

Applications for the Ida/Henri Business Assistance Grant Program were open from September 17^th through September 24^th. The NJEDA is currently reviewing all submitted applications and distributing funds to eligible businesses and organizations.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

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TRENTON, N.J. (September 27, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board last week approved Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) as the winner of the NJ Wind Turbine Tech Training Challenge.

Supported by funding from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) and aligned with Governor Phil Murphy’s Wind Council recommendations, the NJ Wind Turbine Tech Training Challenge was launched in July as a competitive grant program to support a community college that collaborates with union trade organizations and industry partners to establish an offshore wind turbine technician training program. RCSJ will receive a grant of $819,019 to develop an industry-recognized wind turbine technician training program that will support the offshore wind industry and workforce in New Jersey.

“Thanks to Governor Murphy’s strong leadership, New Jersey is well on its way to becoming the capital of offshore wind in the U.S., bringing billions of dollars and thousands of jobs to our state,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “It is crucial that we take steps now to prepare to meet the industry’s workforce needs and to ensure equitable access to these opportunities for all New Jerseyans. We are proud to support RCSJ and our partners in labor and the trades to bring a comprehensive credential program to New Jersey that will ensure New Jersey students and workers have access to the training they need to work in offshore wind.”

“As New Jersey transitions to 100 percent clean energy, it is imperative that we cultivate a workforce prepared to meet the emerging opportunities that building and operating clean energy infrastructure offer,” said Joseph L. Fiordaliso, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. “RCSJ has presented an impressive plan to ensure that the workforce of tomorrow has a place in our innovation economy and is grown right here in New Jersey. We are proud to support this exciting new initiative.”

“Offshore wind will create thousands of good-paying, permanent jobs. A critical step toward ensuring the state’s future success in this industry is strengthening our investment in workforce training and education today,” said Department of Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “As one of our key apprenticeship partners, RCSJ’s plans are an exciting step forward that will equip our workforce with the skills and knowledge they need to fill these family sustaining positions.”

“This critical initiative will ensure that New Jersey’s talent pipeline remains strong and our future economic growth prioritizes workforce opportunities for students to hone their skills and obtain high-quality credentials,” said NJ Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Brian Bridges. “RCSJ’s program will fuel a diverse and inclusive pipeline of talented workers and propel the state’s rapidly-growing clean energy sector to the forefront of the global stage.”

The Wind Turbine Tech Training Challenge is part of Governor Phil Murphy’s whole of government approach to generating 7.5 GW of offshore wind by 2035 and positioning New Jersey as a hub for the American offshore wind industry. Other initiatives include the construction of the New Jersey Wind Port, a state-of-the-art monopile manufacturing facility at the Port of Paulsboro, the Offshore Wind Tax Credit Program, and the Offshore Wind Safety Training Challenge. Taken together, these efforts will ensure New Jersey has the infrastructure, supply chain, and workforce needed to support offshore wind projects up and down the East Coast.

To ensure equitable access to the economic opportunities offshore wind creates, Governor Murphy established the Wind Council in 2019 to engage industry and local stakeholder groups to evaluate New Jersey’s existing workforce development assets and identify gaps that must be addressed to strengthen the state’s leadership position in offshore wind. On April 22, 2020, the Wind Council released a report summarizing its recommendations. Both the Wind Council report and the NJBPU’s New Jersey Offshore Wind Strategic Plan noted that there are currently no offshore wind turbine technician training programs in New Jersey and stressed the need to establish a program as soon as possible.

With funding provided by the NJBPU, the NJEDA launched the NJ Wind Turbine Tech Training Challenge in July to address this gap in New Jersey’s offshore wind ecosystem by providing grant funding to a New Jersey community college to collaborate with labor organizations and industry stakeholders to design and implement a curriculum that meets industry standards for wind turbine technician training.

An Evaluation Committee comprised of staff from the NJEDA, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development selected RCSJ as the winner of the challenge. The college will use the grant funding it receives to develop a stackable credential training program that includes two certificates linked to a Registered Apprenticeship and an Associate Degree for wind turbine technology. These stackable programs include:

Wind Turbine Technician Career & Technical Education (CTE) Certificate: RCSJ will offer Global Wind Organization (GWO) Basic Technical Training (BTT). Students in this certificate program will complete the BTT modules as well an OSHA10 course and the GWO Basic Safety and Sea Survival Training (BST) modules to be offered by Atlantic Cape Community College at their campus in Atlantic City. A contract is pending between RCSJ and an industry-leading offshore wind training partner to deliver the training.
Wind Turbine Technician Academic Certificate: RCSJ will offer a 36-credit academic certificate in Wind Power and Turbine Technology through a combination of classroom and hands-on laboratory learning that provides students with knowledge and understanding of fluid hydraulic systems, electrical machinery, mechanical operations, computer and information technology skills, wind turbine operations, safety training, and soft skills. The certificates will be linked to a U.S. Department of Labor registered Wind Turbine Technician Apprenticeship.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Wind Power and Turbine Technology: RCSJ will develop a full AAS degree in Wind Power and Turbine Technology. Additionally, RCSJ has committed to working with Rowan University to stack the Wind Turbine programs into a bachelor’s degree, and potentially to the masters and Ph.D. levels in related trades and science and technology fields.

To guide the implementation of these new programs, RCSJ will form a Wind Turbine Technician Program Advisory Board comprised of industry representatives, labor organizations, regional workforce representatives, subject matter experts in workforce training, and RCSJ’s offshore wind academic team. This Advisory Board will support and advise on curriculum development and establish pathways for employment for program graduates. To ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion, RCSJ will partner with labor unions, community-based organizations, and others to recruit a diverse student population and provide wrap around and other services to support students during their training.

RCSJ anticipates the two wind certificate programs will launch in January 2023 and the AAS degree program will launch in the Fall semester of 2023.

“We are pleased that the College’s grant proposal to develop a Wind Turbine Technician Training program was selected by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Rowan College of South Jersey is ready to do our part to advance the offshore wind efforts in New Jersey and within the New Jersey Wind Institute,” stated Dr. Frederick Keating, president of Rowan College of South Jersey. “We are committed to developing and launching credentialed training programs to meet the labor market demands an offshore wind facility brings to the state. These stackable certificates and degrees will become a cornerstone of the College’s Career and Technical Education Division, helping to serve the southern New Jersey region with emphasis on Gloucester and Cumberland counties.”

“Standing up effective, industry recognized training programs is crucial to ensuring New Jersey has the workforce necessary to support the many large-scale offshore wind projects coming to the state while following through on Governor Murphy’s commitment to make opportunities in offshore wind equitable and accessible to all,” said Jen Becker, Managing Director of the Wind Institute. “RCSJ’s winning proposal for a comprehensive turbine technician training program aligns closely with the industry’s needs and New Jersey’s commitments to providing high quality training opportunities for everyone who wants to get involved in the growing offshore wind industry.”

More information about the NJEDA’s work to grow New Jersey’s offshore wind ecosystem is available at https://www.njeda.gov/offshorewind.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

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NJEDA to Host Public Information and Idea Gathering Session on September 21, 2021

TRENTON, N.J. (September 16, 2021) – Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced the NJEDA’s participation in four regional coalitions preparing applications for the U.S. Economic Development Authority (U.S. EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC). The Challenge is a federal grant program to help communities adopt and implement transformational, industry-based economic development strategies that strengthen economic diversity and resiliency in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The four coalitions that NJEDA has joined focus on regional industry clusters that are part of Governor Murphy’s Stronger and Fairer Economic Plan, including biomanufacturing, clean energy, aviation, and smart ports.

The NJEDA will host a public information and idea gathering session on the Build Back Better Regional Challenge at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. Representatives of for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities are all encouraged to attend to learn more about the challenge. In addition, the NJEDA will be seeking input on potential priority projects that could be included in the four coalition applications.

Join the information session here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_84JFnsqSTBGV_hGP4-qPuA.

“As we build toward a stronger, fairer recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we keep our eyes to the future and identify industry-based strategies that will drive long-term, equitable growth,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is a fantastic opportunity to engage New Jersey’s innovative thinkers and industry leaders to craft projects that will not only help us bounce back from the impacts of COVID-19, but also lay the foundation for long-term success.”

“Governor Murphy and President Biden have made tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting a strong, equitable recovery a top priority. The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is a unique opportunity for New Jersey to bolster our industry clusters to better address the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and identify a slate of transformational economic development initiatives,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Aviation innovation, biomanufacturing, clean energy, and smart ports are all sectors that Governor Murphy has identified as priorities because of their potential to drive transformative economic growth and job creation. The NJEDA is proud to partner with thought leaders and industry innovators throughout New Jersey to support high-impact applications in these sectors.”

The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is a federal program that will fund projects that create high-quality jobs, increase wages, and revitalize communities in places that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications must be centered around developing or growing a regional industry cluster, with a long-term transformational vision and a plan for execution. More information about the Challenge is available at https://eda.gov/arpa/build-back-better/.

Applicants for the Challenge act as a regional coalition with one lead entity per application. Eligible coalition members include government entities, nonprofits, and higher education institutions. For-profit entities cannot be a primary coalition applicant, but can participate as “coalition partners” offering industry expertise, commit to investment or job creation related to the industry cluster, and formally express support for the coalition’s application.

The application process for the Build Back Better Regional Challenge takes place in two phases. Applications for Phase 1 are due October 19, 2021. During this phase the U.S. EDA will select 50 to 60 winners to receive planning grants of up to $500,000. Winners will use these planning grants to support the preparation of the coalition’s Phase 2 application, which is due March 15, 2022. During Phase 2, the U.S. EDA will choose 20 to 30 winners to receive implementation grants of $25 to $100 million.

The NJEDA is supporting four applicant coalitions focused on aviation innovation, biomanufacturing, clean energy, and smart ports.

In addition to leading this applicant coalition for the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, the ACEA was recently designated by the Governor’s Office to be New Jersey’s applicant for the U.S. EDA’s Statewide Planning Grant, a grant of up to $1 million for economic development planning efforts. ACEA’s plans for the grant focus on planning and feasibility studies around advanced aviation, which will complement the projects included in the aviation innovation coalition’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge application.

“Aviation is a growing industry in South Jersey that has massive potential to drive statewide economic growth and job creation,” said ACEA President Lauren Moore. “We are thrilled to have Governor Murphy and the NJEDA’s support for our application for the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. We have a clear vision for building a broad, inclusive aviation innovation ecosystem in South Jersey and the State’s support for our application for this grant program and the Statewide Planning Grant will be crucial to securing the funds we need to bring these ideas to life.”

“Aviation has a strong track record of success driving economic expansion and job growth in Atlantic County and throughout South Jersey,” said County Executive Dennis Levinson. “The application coalition for the Build Back Better Regional Challenge is in the process of preparing a forward-thinking, comprehensive series of proposals that will build on our success to ensure long-term, equitable growth throughout South Jersey. We are proud to have Governor Murphy’s backing and look forward to working with the NJEDA and other experts in the community and industry to prepare a successful application that allows us to execute on our vision for the future of aviation in Atlantic County.”

This coalition is led by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and will leverage existing physical, educational, and talent assets in the Northeast corridor, including the NJ BioScience Center, the New Brunswick Innovation HUB, BioCentriq at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), major research institutions, community colleges, and major biopharma companies with headquarters in New Jersey. Individuals and organizations interested in sharing project ideas or joining the biomanufacturing coalition should reach out to BiomanufacturingBBBRC@njeda.com by noon on September 28.

“New Jersey’s history of leadership in medicine and biomanufacturing runs deep and leveraging our existing ecosystem will be crucial to ensuring a speedy and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Antonio M. Calcado, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Rutgers. “We are proud to have Governor Murphy’s support and excited to work with the NJEDA and many other leaders in New Jersey’s life sciences ecosystem to prepare a strong Build Back Better Regional Challenge application that sets us on the path to recovery from COVID-19 and long-term success.”

The clean energy coalition is building on the Murphy Administration’s historic investments in decarbonizing New Jersey’s economy by expanding New Jersey’s clean energy sector – specifically offshore wind, clean transport, energy storage, and smart grid technologies. The coalition is considering infrastructure projects, workforce training, and business acceleration efforts to support the manufacturing supply chain for clean energy.

The coalition is led by Rowan University and includes multiple other higher education partners and thought leaders in the clean energy space. Individuals and organizations interested in sharing project ideas or joining the clean energy coalition should reach out to CleanEnergyBBBRC@njeda.com by noon on September 28.

“Clean energy is not only crucial to fighting climate change, but it is also a strong driver of innovation, economic growth, and job creation,” said Ali A. Houshmand, president, Rowan University. “Governor Murphy understands the interconnectedness of the two and deserves great praise for his leadership on this subject, particularly his Energy Master Plan and his commitment to the New Jersey Wind Port. We are proud to have the NJEDA and Governor Murphy’s support our application for the Build Back Better Recovery Program, which will set the stage for New Jersey to continue our growth as a leader in clean energy.”

This coalition is led by the City of Newark in partnership with New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Additional coalition partners include Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT), Invest Newark, and North Jersey Transportation Authority. Individuals and organizations interested in sharing project ideas or joining the smart ports coalition should reach out to SmartPortsBBBRC@njeda.com by noon on September 28.

“Port Newark is a major hub for regional, national, and international economic activity, and it supports hundreds of thousands of jobs that range from high tech to service to the trades to labor and more,” noted Newark Mayor Ras A. Baraka. “The projects that will be undertaken by this coalition will be catalysts for job creation and sustainable, long-term economic growth while also making a substantial and positive environmental impact, all of which are in accord with Governor Murphy’s economic strategies.”

NJIT President Joel S. Bloom added, “As the State of New Jersey’s public polytechnic university and a partner with the City of Newark, NJIT will bring broad and deep expertise in the technological and innovative aspects to the coalition. The projects will be central to the operation of Port Newark and to growing its regional economic impact. New Jersey transportation and other regional port systems will also benefit through the establishment of a center for transportation innovation, commercialization and tech transfer. We are proud to have Governor Murphy and the NJEDA’s support for these important initiatives.”

The NJEDA is hosting a public information session about the Build Back Better Regional Challenge program and the four applicant coalitions the NJEDA is supporting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. The program will include an overview of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge program and presentations from each of the coalitions about their vision and the types of projects they are considering. Representatives of for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities are all encouraged to attend to learn more and provide input.

Join the information session here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_84JFnsqSTBGV_hGP4-qPuA.

In addition to attending the information session, the NJEDA is also encouraging individuals, organizations, and businesses to submit one-page project idea summaries to the relevant applicant coalition by noon on September 28. Ideas for aviation innovation projects should be sent to AviationBBBRC@njeda.com; ideas for biomanufacturing projects should be sent to BiomanufacturingBBBRC@njeda.com; ideas for clean energy projects should be sent to CleanEnergyBBBRC@njeda.com; and ideas for smart ports projects should be sent to SmartPortsBBBRC@njeda.com.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

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