Public Will Have Opportunity to Provide Feedback on Draft Plan

TRENTON, N.J. (June 14, 2021) – The Capital City Redevelopment Corporation (CCRC) Board today announced that it has approved initiating the public adoption process for the draft update to its Renaissance Plan. The Renaissance Plan was first adopted in 1989 to fuel economic development within Trenton’s Capital District and to make the area a more attractive place to live, work, play, and conduct business. The update is designed to reflect changes in the social, economic, and natural environment over the last 30 years and to provide a guide for the Capital District into the future.

A copy of the draft plan is currently available at https://www.njeda.gov/ccrc-renaissance-plan/. CCRC plans to hold public hearings in August to solicit input on the draft update, followed by a 30-day public comment period. CCRC’s website will be updated soon with specific dates and times of the hearings and comment period. The draft plan site at https://www.njeda.gov/ccrc-renaissance-plan/ includes a public comment form for anyone interested in commenting on the draft plan.

CCRC was statutorily created in 1988 to assist with the planning, coordination, and promotion of development within the Capital District, which consists of those portions of the City of Trenton that serve as its commercial center, and in which public buildings and historic sites are located.

CCRC’s Renaissance Plan guides public and private investment decisions within the district through goals, policies, and specific recommendations. In 2019, the CCRC Board hired Newark-based Topology,  a real estate and planning firm, to oversee and assist with updating the Renaissance Plan in coordination with the City of Trenton’s recent update to its Master Plan, known as Trenton 250, as well as other relevant plans for areas within the CCRC Boundary.

The Renaissance Plan seeks to preserve the historical, cultural, architectural, and environmental assets of the Capital District while engendering significant new development opportunities. Recommendations proposed in the Renaissance Plan’s draft update modernize that effort.

“The City of Trenton has all  the elements needed to become a premier economic and cultural destination, including access to government and private sector agencies, higher education institutions, and businesses of all sizes, entertainment venues, and a network of multi-purpose trails,” said CCRC Chairman Peter A. Inverso. “I want to thank the many individuals and organizations that contributed to drafting the update to the Renaissance Plan.  I am especially grateful for the very close collaboration with the City throughout the process. The public input that we expect to receive on the plan will help us fine tune  this critical document so that it clearly lays the foundation and parameters necessary  to  attract, guide and   strengthen public and private investment and civic and social activities in the Capital District.” 

The draft update to the Renaissance Plan identifies seven key objectives: making downtown Trenton more attractive, inviting, and safe; improving access in and around downtown; restoring traditional linkages to waterways; promoting a diversity of uses; improving the circulation and parking network downtown; expanding and enhancing the historical value of Trenton; and enhancing the social environment. It also includes individual recommendations and priority actions to achieve these goals within each of the six planning areas within Trenton: The Canal, the State Capital, the Central Business District, Mill Hill, the Riverfront, and the Transit Center. Additionally, the Renaissance Plan provides clear and predictable guidance for land use and development that considers, and is aligned with, both the long-term and aspirational goals of both the State as well as the City of Trenton, and addresses existing transportation systems and ways to manage and meet transportation demands.

“Once a booming industrial hub, Trenton is well on its way to returning to its status as a bustling center of commercial activity,” said Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. “At the core of that effort is the Renaissance Plan, which will help map a course for the Capital District’s aesthetic and economic future for years to come. We are grateful to our partners in this planning process at the state and local levels for the time and resources they devoted to bringing this plan forward for review and public input.  Once adopted, this plan will serve as an important instrument to dovetail with the City’s local master plan for future land use and redevelopment within the Capital District, the first update to this plan in more than 30 years.”

The Renaissance Plan also supports efforts and seeks opportunities to create a long-term capital plan for state-owned properties that forecasts demand for physical space and consolidates and properly manages parking. It also encourages integration of state resources with the existing downtown community and focuses on redevelopment opportunities.

The draft update to the Renaissance Plan builds on Governor Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 40, which created the New Jersey State Capital Partnership to revitalize the Capital City. The New Jersey Department of the Treasury helps spearhead the Partnership for the state, which is the largest landowner and employer in Trenton.

“We are proud to work with our partners through the NJ State Capital City Partnership established by the Governor to help fuel the resurgence of the Capital City,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “We encourage the community to review the plan and provide comments, as this plan will help guide public and private development of the downtown – an area which is important to the community, the city, and the State as a whole.” 

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The next Capital City Redevelopment Corporation Board meeting is scheduled for 11:00 am on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, via teleconference only.

Members of the public whom wish to speak during the public comment segment of the meeting, pertaining to agenda items, may call into the meeting by using the following conference number:

Teleconference #:

+1 551-220-2262

Conference ID: 151 385 851#

Join Microsoft Teams Meeting

The agenda can be found 48 hours prior to the meeting at our website: www.njeda.gov/ccrc.

Visikol Co-Founders Dr. Thomas Villani (left) and Dr. Michael Johnson grew their Rutgers University spinout into a globally-recognized company that was acquired by CELLINK for up to $19.5 million.

TRENTON, N.J. (June 10, 2021) – Hunterdon County-based Visikol made national headlines late last month when it was acquired by CELLINK for up to $19.5 million. The news came just weeks after the Rutgers University spinout received a $1.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma. Both of these accomplishments mark the latest milestones for the contract research services company that provides over half of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies with tools necessary to discover and develop lifesaving and life-enhancing therapeutics.

Visikol offers its pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers an extensive portfolio of advanced imaging, digital pathology, and cell culture tools. Its proprietary versatile biological clearing agent, known as Visikol® HISTO™, helps researchers in the fields of toxicology, pre-clinical drug development, clinical diagnostics, basic research and plant biology. The agent penetrates tissue and renders it transparent for optical analysis, greatly reducing problems with light scattering and enabling high-resolution images to be captured from biological tissues in 3D.

Visikol announced its acquisition by Sweden-based CELLINK, a global leader in bio-convergence, on May 20. The move will both expand Visikol’s visibility on the international stage and open a new market segment for CELLINK. Visikol Co-Founders Dr. Michael Johnson and Dr. Thomas Villani, who formed Visikol during their time as PhD candidates at Rutgers University, will remain at Visikol’s helm following the acquisition. Dr. Johnson noted that his company remains committed to expanding its footprint in the Garden State following the acquisition.

Started as a three-person operation in a lab at Rutgers University, Visikol has grown into a globally recognized company that currently employs 20 people at its 10,000-square-foot headquarters in Hampton.

“The meteoric success we have experienced in the worldwide marketplace would not have been possible without the support we received as a result of locating in the Garden State,” Dr. Johnson said. “From our very first days collaborating with Rutgers University professors to develop our technology up to our multi-million dollar acquisition by CELLINK, we have been impressed by the hand-on approach the State has taken to foster a robust innovation ecosystem.”

Visikol has leveraged resources from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) throughout its entire lifecycle.

Shortly after spinning out of Rutgers, Visikol moved to the New Jersey Bioscience Center – Incubator at North Brunswick, where it benefited from educational programs and a host of supporting resources, including help to identify funding sources and access to small business development resources, networking opportunities, and administrative support. The Incubator offers 27 wet labs, the most of any incubator in the Garden State, and provided discounted first-year rent for university drug-discovery spinouts. Startups moving to the Incubator can also apply for rent support through the NJEDA’s NJ Ignite program.

Visikol also benefited from a $50,000 bridge grant through CSIT’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Direct Financial Assistance Program last year. In 2018, Visikol received a $225,000 Phase I SBIR grant from the NIH to develop a platform that improves diagnostic tests for research studying breast cancer. The funding provided from CSIT helped Visikol bridge the funding gap while it applied for Phase II of the federal program to expand into melanoma evaluation. Visikol received approval for the Phase II funding in late April 2021, which will enable to company to continue developing its tissue imaging platform.  The state SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Support program supports New Jersey companies vying for, or participating in, the federal SBIR/STTR program. It also enhances the state’s innovation economy by strengthening the competitiveness of Garden State businesses participating in the federal programs. To date, 29 early-stage New Jersey companies have received a combined $825,000 in funding through the program leveraging over $12 million in federal funding.

Visikol was also supported in 2016 by a $500,000 investment from Foundation Venture Capital Group, LLC, an affiliate of New Jersey Health Foundation. The funding helped Visikol scale up its operations in its earliest days. Located in New Brunswick, Foundation Venture Capital Group makes equity investments to participate in establishing and managing New Jersey biomedical startup companies headed toward commercialization.

“From the beginning, Visikol has leveraged many of New Jersey’s greatest assets to fuel its success and we could not be more thrilled for Michael, Tom, and the entire team,” said Kathleen Coviello, NJEDA Executive Vice President of Technology, Life Sciences and Entrepreneurship. “This is a true New Jersey success story and we are proud that Visikol continues to call the Garden State ‘home.’ We can’t wait to see what’s in store for them as they begin this newest chapter in their growth.”

Visikol and its co-founders have been nationally recognized for their accomplishments. Dr. Johnson was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 List in 2017 and again in 2019 when he was selected among all previous year’s honorees as one of the top three all-star alumni. Earlier this year, Visikol was named as one of Pharma Tech Outlook’s Top Emerging Pharma Outsourcing Companies of 2021.

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.

About the Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology

In August 2018, Governor Murphy signed legislation re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the CSIT. Comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as academia, the Commission is tasked with leading the way in promoting the state as a home for academic and technological research, development, and commercialization.

To learn more about resources for businesses within New Jersey’s innovation ecosystem 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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Rule Changes Enable Greater Access to Industry Opportunities

TRENTON, N.J. (June 9, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board today approved a series of amendments to the Offshore Wind Economic Development Tax Credit Program rules to reflect changes to the program enabled by the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act (ERA) of 2020, signed by Governor Phil Murphy on January 7, 2021. The primary changes enacted by the ERA include: modifying the period over which tax credits are paid out from 10 years to five years; revising the minimum number of new full-time jobs required to be eligible for the program from 300 to 150, and allowing for a project to ramp-up jobs over time; and expanding the eligible geography for the program from the seven southern counties to the entire state.

Offshore wind is one of the high-growth, high-wage sectors the State identified in Governor Murphy’s Economic Development Plan. The Offshore Wind Economic Development Tax Credit Program provides tax credits for capital investment in a qualified wind energy facility located in New Jersey, as it is designed to spur employment growth and offshore wind supply chain development as a result of capital investment in land-based offshore wind industry projects.

“As a result of Governor Murphy’s vision for New Jersey as a national hub for offshore wind, the state is well-positioned to lead this rapidly-growing sector. The changes to the Offshore Wind Tax Credit approved by our Board today will enable greater flexibility for businesses creating new jobs in New Jersey,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Companies up and down the offshore wind supply chain will find that New Jersey offers a vast pool of skilled talent, a firm commitment to investment in first-rate offshore wind infrastructure, and an innovation ecosystem that offers resources to prepare companies for this vast opportunity.”

By adjusting the period over which tax credits are paid out, a business can now receive the tax credits over the course of five years at a rate of one-fifth of the total amount of the business’s award.  This shorter pay-out timeframe is better suited for an industry this is rapidly scaling up brand new operations to support wind farm projects across the U.S. East Coast.

The changes adopted today also create a pathway for additional projects to participate in the program. Previously a project needed at least 300 new full-time jobs to be eligible for tax credits. Now, projects that projects creating between 150-300 new full-time jobs can apply for tax credits, however awards will be sized using a pro-rated award formula. In recognition of offshore wind being a new industry in the State, the rules also now allow a project to ramp-up job creation over the first four years of a project.

Another change ​made by the ​ERA of 2020, expands the eligible geography for the program from the seven counties to the entire state. In addition, to provide clarity on the above statutory changes, the approved amendments also include policy updates on eligible costs, calculating net benefits test parameters, and fees.

To receive tax credits through the Offshore Wind Economic Development Tax Credit Program, a business must:

  • Make or acquire capital investments totaling at least $50 million in a qualified wind energy facility. If the business is a tenant, the business must lease an area of the qualified wind energy facility that represents at least a $17.5 million capital investment in the facility.
  • Create a minimum of 150 new full-time jobs over the four-year commitment period. A tenant may meet the employment requirements with other tenants at the qualified wind energy facility. A project that creates between 150 and 300 new full-time jobs will receive a prorated award compared to those that create 300 or more jobs.
  • Demonstrate a net positive economic benefit to the State.

Limited by a net positive economic benefits test, the tax credits can equal up to 100 percent of the business’s qualified capital investments. The credits can be used against corporation business or insurance premiums tax. The calculation of new full-time employees may include select positions resulting from equipment supply coordination agreements with equipment manufacturers, suppliers, installers, and operators associated with the supply chain required to support the qualified wind energy facility.

Tenants in qualified wind energy facilities may also receive tax credits, if they occupy space in a qualified wind energy facility that proportionally represents at least $17.5 million of the capital investment in the facility, and, employ at least the minimum number of new, full-time employees in that facility.

Businesses must apply for the tax credits by July 1, 2025 and satisfy the capital investment and employment conditions for award of the credits by July 1, 2028.

Offshore Wind Tax Credit Program application

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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El programa actualizado va dirigido a empresas que hayan contratado nuevo espacio en 2021

TRENTON, N.J. (9 de junio de 2021) – La Junta de la Autoridad para el desarrollo económico de New Jersey (NJEDA) anunció hoy una actualización a la Fase 2 del Programa de préstamos de emergencia para pequeñas empresas. El programa proporcionará hasta $100,000 en financiamiento de bajo costo a pequeñas empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro de New Jersey con prioridad a entidades que han contratado nuevo espacio, hecho la transición a empresa con sede en el hogar o de un espacio más pequeño a un espacio más grande, o que hayan adquirido un espacio comercial ocupado por el propietario.  Puede encontrar más información sobre el programa en https://business.nj.gov/covid/emergency-assistance-loan-program. 

“A medida que avanzamos en la recuperación de la pandemia del COVID-19, es esencial que continuemos proporcionando los recursos que los propietarios de empresas necesitan para reabrir y tener éxito”, dijo el Director Ejecutivo de la NJEDA Tim Sullivan. “Las mejoras a la Fase 2 del Programa de préstamos de emergencia a pequeñas empresas aprobado hoy pondrá a disposición el tan necesario financiamiento que las empresas de New Jersey necesitan, con un enfoque en las empresas en crecimiento no incluidas en los programas previos de ayuda por el COVID-19.”

La NJEDA creó el Programa de préstamos de emergencia para pequeñas empresas en marzo de 2020 para poner financiamiento de bajo costo a disposición de pequeñas empresas afectadas por la pandemia del COVID-19. Hasta la fecha, la NJEDA ha aprobado 145 préstamos por un total combinado de más de $10 millones.

Capitalizado por la asignación de la Ley de Ayuda, Alivio y Seguridad Económica por Coronavirus (CARES, por sus siglas en inglés) de la Administración para el Desarrollo Económico de los Estados Unidos (USEDA, por sus siglas en inglés), la Fase 2 del Programa de préstamos de emergencia para pequeñas empresas pone financiamiento adicional disponible para pequeñas empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro, con un enfoque particular en entidades que han alquilado o adquirido nuevo espacio en 2021.

Las empresas con $10 millones o menos de ingresos anuales que hayan contratado un nuevo alquiler, alquilado espacio adicional o adquirido espacio comercial ocupado por el propietario de al menos 500 pies cuadrados en o antes del 1 de enero de 2021 se priorizarán como solicitantes de “Fase 1” y tendrán una ventana de solicitud exclusiva, después de la cual todas las empresas elegibles podrán aplicar.

Para garantizar el procesamiento oportuno de las solicitudes, la NJEDA está implementando un proceso de solicitud de dos pasos para la Fase 2 del Programa de préstamos de emergencia para pequeñas empresas. Las empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro interesadas en solicitar préstamos deben primero registrarse previamente para el programa. Luego del período de registro previo, las solicitudes se abrirán a los solicitantes de “Fase 1” durante un período de diez días, después del cual la Autoridad abrirá las solicitudes a todas las demás entidades que reúnen los requisitos en función de la disponibilidad de los fondos.

La NJEDA anticipa abrir el período de registro previo a partir de julio de 2021 y las fechas y plazos específicos se publicarán en https://business.nj.gov/covid/emergency-assistance-loan-program. Todas las empresas deben completar el registro previo durante el período de registro previo para ser elegibles para presentar su solicitud durante la Fase 2 del programa de préstamos.

Hay más información sobre la Fase 2 del Programa de préstamos de emergencia a pequeñas empresas disponible en https://business.nj.gov/covid/emergency-assistance-loan-program. 

El Programa de préstamos de emergencia para pequeñas empresas es parte del conjunto de programas de ayuda por el COVID-19 de New Jersey. Puede encontrar información completa sobre la respuesta de New Jersey al coronavirus en https://business.nj.gov/covid.


Acerca de la Autoridad para el desarrollo económico de New Jersey

La Autoridad para el desarrollo económico de New Jersey (NJEDA) es la agencia principal del Estado para impulsar el desarrollo económico. La NJEDA tiene el compromiso de hacer del Estado de New Jersey un modelo nacional para el desarrollo económico inclusivo y sostenible al centrarse en estrategias claves para ayudar a construir comunidades fuertes y dinámicas, crear buenos trabajos para los residentes de New Jersey y ofrecer oportunidades para una economía más sólida y justa. Mediante asociaciones con diversas partes interesadas, la NJEDA crea e implementa iniciativas para mejorar la vitalidad económica y la calidad de vida en el Estado y para fortalecer la competitividad económica a largo plazo de New Jersey.

Para obtener más información acerca de los recursos de la NJEDA para empresas, llame a la línea de atención al cliente de NJEDA al 609-858-6767 o visite https://www.njeda.gov y siga a @NewJerseyEDA en Facebook, Twitter, Instagram y LinkedIn.

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TRENTON, N.J. (June 9, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board today approved an update to Phase 2 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program. The program will provide up to $100,000 in low-cost financing to New Jersey small businesses and nonprofits with priority given to entities that have taken on new space, transitioned from a home-based business or smaller space into a larger space, or acquired an owner-occupied commercial space. More information on the program is available at https://business.nj.gov/covid/emergency-assistance-loan-program.  

“As we move into recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that we continue to provide the resources business owners need to reopen and thrive,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The improvements to Phase 2 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program approved today will make much-needed financing available to New Jersey businesses with a focus on growing businesses that have been left out of previous COVID-19 relief programs.”

The NJEDA created the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program in March of 2020 to make low-cost financing available to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the NJEDA has approved 145 loans for a combined total of more than $10 million.

Capitalized by a United States Economic Development Administration (USEDA) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act appropriation, Phase 2 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program makes additional financing available to New Jersey businesses and nonprofits, with a particular focus on entities that have leased or acquired new space in 2021.

Businesses with $10 million or less in annual revenue that have executed a new lease, leased additional space, or acquired an owner-occupied commercial space of at least 500 square feet on or after January 1, 2021 will be prioritized as “Stage 1” applicants and will have an exclusive application window, after which all eligible businesses may apply.

To ensure timely processing of applications, the NJEDA is implementing a two-step application process for Phase 2 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program. Businesses and nonprofits interested in applying for loans must first pre-register for the program. Following the pre-registration period, applications will open for “Stage 1” applicants for a ten-day period, after which the Authority will open applications to all other qualified entities based on the availability of funding.

The NJEDA anticipates opening the pre-registration period beginning in July 2021, and specific dates and timing will be posted at https://business.nj.gov/covid/emergency-assistance-loan-program. All businesses must pre-register during the pre-registration period in order to be eligible to apply during Phase 2 of the Loan Program.

More information about Phase 2 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program is available at https://business.nj.gov/covid/emergency-assistance-loan-program.  

The Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program is part of New Jersey’s suite of COVID-19 relief programs. Comprehensive information about New Jersey’s coronavirus response is available at https://business.nj.gov/covid.


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. (June 9, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board today approved the creation of the Government Restricted Municipality (GRM) Planning Grant Program. This two-phase program will provide grants for the benefit of the three GRM municipalities identified in the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA) – Trenton, Atlantic City, and Paterson – to develop and execute strategic action plans to move forward stalled projects that have significant potential to provide sustainable and resilient benefits for community members and business stakeholders.

“As we move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we ensure communities that were hit the hardest have the support they need to come back stronger and ready for long-term growth,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The GRM Planning Grant Program will help Trenton, Atlantic City, and Paterson identify projects that are close to execution and provide the catalytic funding they need to get those projects done. In this way, the program will provide immediate, tangible benefits for these communities while setting the stage for them to thrive.”

In line with Governor Phil Murphy’s commitment to investing in communities and people, the GRM Planning Grants Program leverages $3 million of ERA funding to provide grants to qualified applicants to create long-term strategic action plans to catalyze stalled projects and meet the community’s goals.

The program will be administered in two phases. During Phase 1 the NJEDA will award three grants of up to $250,000 each to support the creation of detailed, long-term, and action-oriented strategic plans that synthesize existing plans from both the municipality and stakeholders and identify technical capacity needs that have held projects back from completion. Following the creation of these strategic action plans, Phase 2 of the program will provide additional funding of up to $750,000 per GRM to support the execution of projects identified in their strategic action plans.

Phase 1 of the GRM Planning Grants Program is open to New Jersey municipalities, counties, and authorities as well as accredited higher education institutions, public interest research groups, and professional services providers who have completed at least one municipal, county, or New Jersey state government plan focused on economic revitalization. All applicants must provide a letter of support from the chief executive of the eligible GRM that they will be working with. Eligibility for Phase 2 will be limited to GRMs that have either developed strategic action plans or had such plans developed for them under Phase 1.

Applications for Phase 1 of the GRM Planning Grant Program are expected to open in the coming months and will be accepted until sixty days after the opening date. The NJEDA anticipates awarding the first grant through the program in late 2021.

More information about the GRM Planning Grant Program is available at https://www.njeda.gov/grmpgp.

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. (June 4, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today released a draft of the rules under which the new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Manufacturing Tax Credit program will be administered. Created under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA), the PPE Manufacturing Tax Credit program is a three-year program that provides tax credits to incentivize the development of PPE manufacturing within the state.

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 NJEDA will also be hosting a Listening Session for Public Input on the PPE Manufacturing Tax Credit program at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9th, 2021.

“Getting New Jersey residents back to work is going to be central to ensuring a strong, equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The PPE Manufacturing Tax Credit program offers incentives for the creation of good jobs in a high-growth sector while ensuring New Jersey is well-prepared to meet any future PPE needs.”

Draft PPE Manufacturing Tax Credit program rules are available now for review at https://www.njeda.gov/economicrecoveryact/program-specific-feedback/.  

The Listening Session for Public Input on the PPE Manufacturing Tax Credit program will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9th, 2021. The session is expected to last roughly two hours.

Members of the public can access the session at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85874967722?pwd=bEkrUlJJRW5pa0RKWStuRmxvYWhjdz09; Passcode: PPE.

Members of the media interested in attending the session or submitting questions are asked to email media@njeda.com.  

Members of the public can also submit written feedback on the PPE Manufacturing Tax Credit program at https://www.njeda.gov/EconomicRecoveryAct or via email to ppemanufacturingtaxcredit@njeda.com.  

In addition to the PPE Manufacturing Tax Credit program, the Economic Recovery Act 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.

For more information and to provide written input on the design and implementation of Economic Recovery Act programs, visit https://www.njeda.gov/economicrecoveryact/.

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. (June 3, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced today that VentureWell’s ASPIRE Program has become the third accelerator approved to participate in its NJ Accelerate program. NJ Accelerate was created by the NJEDA last year to grow New Jersey’s innovation ecosystem by promoting greater participation by Garden State entrepreneurs in qualified accelerator programs throughout the United States. It is also designed to incentivize graduate companies from approved accelerators to consider locating in NJ, as well as to showcase the talent in Garden State accelerators on a national stage. More information about NJ Accelerate can be found at https://www.njeda.gov/njaccelerate.

An accelerator is a fixed-term, cohort-based training experience for startups that offers educational and mentorship programs and facilitates connections to venture capitalists, angel investors, mentors, customers, industry experts, and corporate executives who can help early-stage companies grow. Many accelerators also provide investment capital and office, lab, or prototyping space.

Through NJ Accelerate, the NJEDA will match investments made by an approved accelerator into startups that locate in New Jersey within six months after graduating from the participating accelerator’s program. NJEDA’s match will be in the form of a direct loan up to $250,000. A five-percent match bonus is available for companies that are certified as women- or minority-owned in New Jersey. The NJEDA will also provide rent support for up to six months if a company locates in an approved NJ Ignite collaborative workspace.

VentureWell joins Cleantech Open Northeast and Morgan Stanley Multicultural Innovation Lab as the third accelerator approved to participate in NJ Accelerate to date.

“Every New Jersey startup brings a unique idea or perspective to our state’s vibrant innovation ecosystem,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “In order to recapture New Jersey’s role as a leader in innovation, we must continue to connect these young companies with tools to address their individual needs. We’re quickly scaling up NJ Accelerate so that entrepreneurs can leverage resources offered by well-known and highly-regarded accelerators throughout the country while reaping the benefits of locating in the Garden State.”

Massachusetts-based VentureWell is a nonprofit that supports early-stage science- and technology-based inventors driven to solve the world’s biggest challenges. Its E-Team Grant Program helps science- and engineering-based student teams from across the nation commercialize their high-impact innovations. During ASPIRE, VentureWell’s third and final phase of the E-Team Grant Program, startup companies participate in an intensive program that prepares them for the investments and partnerships necessary to launch their ventures. Mentors-in-residence work one-on-one with startups to simulate due diligence conversations and integrate feedback into deal room materials in real-time.

For each cohort of ASPIRE, VentureWell selects 10-15 dedicated science- and engineering-based startups from across the nation that are launching inventions. Upon completion of all three stages of the E-Team Grant Program, the accelerator may provide investments up to $50,000. All participants tap into VentureWell’s large mentor and alumni network, which includes over 5,000 teams of entrepreneurs across all programs. VentureWell was founded with support from The Lemelson Foundation, and has received funding from Qualcomm, the National Science Foundation, the United States Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among many others.

“The E-Team Grant Program has a proven track record of supporting early-stage innovators with early funding and targeted training to move out of the labs and into the marketplace,” said Christina Tamer, Director of Programs – Early-Stage Innovation & Venture Development at VentureWell. “New Jersey is home to thousands of scientists and entrepreneurs working to develop life-saving and life-enhancing technologies. We are excited to invite them into our programs to support their efforts to commercialize their products as a result of our participation in NJ Accelerate.”

Since its inception in 2015, 117 startups have participated in ASPIRE and have raised over $189 million in follow-on funding since participating in the program. The E-Team Grant program overall, with its three stages, has supported 652 unique teams that have raised a total of $645 million. Participants have been recognized by national publications, including being listed on “Forbes 30 under 30” and being featured in the New York Times and National Geographic.

In addition to benefiting New Jersey startups, the NJ Accelerate program also provides exposure and funding for the approved accelerators. The NJEDA will disseminate information about VentureWell and encourage well-qualified companies to participate. In addition, the NJEDA will provide up to $25,000 per event capped at $100,000 in total sponsorship funding for accelerator-led events, such as Accelerator Demo-Days, cohort road shows, in-person classes, pitch competitions, and networking events held in New Jersey.

Accelerators and entrepreneurs interested in participating in the NJ Accelerate program are encouraged to contact the NJEDA at NJAccelerate@njeda.com. Additional information and detailed eligibility criteria for both accelerator programs and entrepreneurs are available at https://www.njeda.gov/njaccelerate.

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.govand follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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Se Exhorta a los Encuestados a Enviarnos Comentarios Sobre el Nuevo Centro para Abordar las Disparidades Raciales y las Desigualdades en la Atención y los Desenlaces para Madres y Bebés

TRENTON, N.J. (1 de Junio de 2021) – La Autoridad para el Desarrollo Económico de New Jersey (NJEDA), junto a la Primera Dama Tammy Murphy, anunciaron hoy que se extendió la Solicitud De Información (RFI, por sus siglas en inglés) para recopilar datos a fin de informar el establecimiento de un Centro dedicado a la salud materno infantil, que estará dedicado a la innovación e investigación, haciendo hincapié en el tratamiento de las desigualdades raciales y garantizando la equidad en la atención y los desenlaces para madres y bebés. El Centro para la salud materno infantil es una recomendación clave del recientemente lanzado Plan estratégico de salud materno infantil Nurture NJ por la Primera Dama Tammy Murphy. La RFI se puede encontrar en https://www.njeda.gov/bidding/#OET. Las respuestas a la RFI ahora deben proporcionarse antes de las 11:59 p.m. del miércoles, 25 de junio de 2021.

La RFI, que se emitió a finales de abril junto con las oficinas del Gobernador Phil Murphy y de la Primera Dama Tammy Murphy, la campaña Nurture NJ y los socios de la agencia estatal NJEDA en el Departamento de Salud, el Departamento de Servicios Humanos y la Oficina del Secretario de Educación Secundaria (OSHE), es el último de una serie de medidas que el estado de New Jersey está tomando para reducir la mortalidad materno infantil, especialmente entre madres y bebés de color.

En 2019, la Primera Dama Murphy lanzó Nurture NJ, una campaña multiagencia en todo el estado dirigida a reducir tanto la mortalidad como la morbilidad materno infantil y a garantizar una atención equitativa entre las mujeres y los niños de todas las razas y todos los orígenes étnicos. En enero de 2021, la Primera Dama dio a conocer el Plan estratégico para la salud materno infantil Nurture NJ, con el objetivo de hacer de New Jersey el lugar más seguro y equitativo del país donde dar a luz y criar un bebé a través de más de 70 recomendaciones específicas y aplicables. Entre esas recomendaciones se encuentra la de establecer un Centro en la capital del Estado que se “centre en la innovación y la investigación en salud materno infantil mediante asociaciones con las comunidades académica, inversionista, empresarial y religiosa del estado”.

Actualmente, New Jersey ocupa el puesto 47 en el país en cuanto a muertes maternas, y tiene una de las desigualdades raciales más grande en cuanto a la mortalidad tanto materna como infantil. Una madre negra en New Jersey tiene siete veces más probabilidades que una madre blanca de morir a causa de complicaciones relacionadas con la maternidad, y un bebé negro tiene tres veces más probabilidades de morir antes de su primer cumpleaños que un bebé blanco.

Esta RFI tiene como fin aprovechar la enorme base de conocimiento de Nurture NJ y el proceso de participación de la comunidad al recopilar información específica sobre el desarrollo y la implementación del Centro en Trenton. Se recomienda a quienes respondan que proporcionen información relativa al desarrollo de la misión, la visión y la estructura del Centro; potenciales modelos operativos y ubicaciones; propuestas de servicios y programas; estrategias y mejores prácticas para fomentar la investigación, innovación y comercialización en salud materno infantil; y consideraciones para la Autoridad y sus agencias asociadas en la creación de iniciativas ancladas en el Centro y dentro de la comunidad de Trenton, enfocadas en lograr igualdad en los desenlaces de salud materno infantil.

La NJEDA busca respuestas de entidades calificadas que incluyen, entre otras: madres y cuidadores, miembros de las comunidades más afectadas por las desigualdades en desenlaces clínicos en la salud materno infantil, proveedores de atención de salud, hospitales y sistemas hospitalarios, parteras y doulas, organizaciones de salud, universidades, organizaciones de defensa, proveedores de servicios sociales, municipios, agencias del gobierno y distritos escolares, partes interesadas de la comunidad, investigadores de políticas y académicos, desarrolladores de bienes raíces, líderes empresariales, empleadores y emprendedores; proveedores de asistencia técnica y fundaciones e iniciativas filantrópicas que abordan la salud materno infantil. La NJEDA está interesada en recibir respuestas de entidades de New Jersey como así también de entidades ubicadas fuera del estado.
  

Todas las respuestas de la RFI deben enviarse por escrito a más tardar a las 11:59 p. m. hora del este del miércoles 25 de junio de 2021, por correo electrónico a: MaternalHealthRFI@njeda.com

La línea del asunto del correo electrónico debe decir: “RFI Response-2021-RFI-127”.

Acerca de la NJEDA

La Autoridad para el desarrollo económico de New Jersey (NJEDA) es la agencia principal del Estado para impulsar el desarrollo económico. La NJEDA tiene el compromiso de hacer del Estado de New Jersey un modelo nacional para el desarrollo económico inclusivo y sostenible al centrarse en estrategias claves para ayudar a construir comunidades fuertes y dinámicas, crear buenos trabajos para los residentes de New Jersey y ofrecer oportunidades para una economía más sólida y justa. Mediante asociaciones con diversas partes interesadas, la NJEDA crea e implementa iniciativas para mejorar la vitalidad económica y la calidad de vida en el Estado y para fortalecer la competitividad económica a largo plazo de New Jersey.

Para obtener más información acerca de los recursos de la NJEDA para empresas, llame a la línea de atención al cliente de NJEDA al 609-858-6767 https://www.njeda.gov y siga a @NewJerseyEDA en Facebook, Twitter, Instagram y LinkedIn.

Acerca de Nurture NJ

Para obtener más información sobre Nurture NJ, visite NurtureNJ.nj.gov.

Siga a Nurture NJ y a la Primera Dama Tammy Murphy en Twitter (@FirstLadyNJ), Facebook (@FirstLadyNJ) e Instagram (@firstladynewjersey).

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