Expanded website showcases massive volume of research being conducted statewide

TRENTON, N.J. (December 18, 2024) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) today announced the expansion of the website for ResearchwithNJ from five to eight leading research institutions, resulting in more than 365,000 pieces of research output and close to 7,000 researcher profiles. The robust platform, used globally, connects companies, faculty, and entrepreneurs with the goal of growing more academic research and business collaborations.

The recent site expansion adds participation by all New Jersey urban research university and medical schools spending greater than $5 million in research and development funding annually. Stevens Institute of Technology was added to the site in late 2023. With the recent expansion, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine has been added to the platform, and Kean University will be added to the site in December 2024.

The expanded ResearchwithNJ site offers details about research taking place at Kean University, Hackensack Meridian, Montclair State, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Princeton University/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Rowan University, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and Stevens Institute of Technology.

The expansion of ResearchwithNJ’s website will add hundreds of research outputs, faculty profiles, research facilities, grants, and award publications to the site. The site provides local, national, and international innovation communities with insight into groundbreaking research being conducted at New Jersey universities.

The free, online portal offers more than 365,000 pieces of research output and profiles close to 7,000 investigators that commercial enterprises, from startups to global corporations, can use to fuel their growth. Topics range across a broad spectrum of disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, and others.

“Our close ties to both the startup community and the state’s many academic institutions made the management of ResearchwithNJ by CSIT a natural fit,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “We anticipate this expansion of ResearchwithNJ, combined with our ongoing efforts to expand outreach to emerging companies and academic professionals, will help strengthen connections between New Jersey’s research universities and the industry.”

ResearchwithNJ highlights the Garden State’s leading research experts and facilities, enhancing the visibility of research output. It also increases opportunities for users to create partnerships and build innovative new businesses and products based on the latest scientific and technological breakthroughs. Businesses can gain access to relevant areas of expertise, facilitating the transfer of technology to the marketplace. This includes information on subject matter experts, facilities, publications, intellectual property, news, and events. Investors considering investing in a startup can also leverage ResearchwithNJ to learn about research done by members of the company prior to investment.

“One of New Jersey’s greatest assets is our vast network of globally recognized universities, including all of the academic institutions that are a part of the ResearchwithNJ portal,” said CSIT Vice Chair Debbie Hart. “Through ResearchwithNJ, we are harnessing the brainpower of our state’s highly talented researchers and providing their intellectual data, free of charge, to individuals worldwide in order to help propel our innovation ecosystem forward.”

To date, the ResearchwithNJ platform has sourced nearly 365,000 outputs from all participating universities, incorporating more than 6,800 individual profiles, over 160 core facilities, and grants/projects topping 12,700.

“ResearchwithNJ is bridging academia and industry to amplify the impact of institutional research being done across New Jersey,” said Dr. Brian Bridges, Secretary of Higher Education. “By showcasing our researchers and intellectual capital, it positions the state as a hub for innovation and collaboration, fosters opportunities for students and faculty to engage impactful industry-relevant projects, and showcases how higher education is actively working to solve real-world challenges.”

“We are excited to launch Research with Hackensack with the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology and the State of New Jersey. The platform will be piloted with data from the Center for Discovery Innovation and the School of Medicine. The global platform will showcase our renown researchers, research outputs, grants/projects, and research units with the aim of building research/business collaborative and partnerships,” said Dr. Sandra Elliot, Vice President, Chief Innovation and Commercialization Officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. 

“Kean University is proud to join ResearchwithNJ, a global site that will highlight the rich and robust STEM-based research outputs, faculty, facilities, grants/outputs at the university. As the university strives toward R2 status, implements on recent prestigious Federal Grants to Increase Diversity in Biomedical Sciences and computational science fields, and builds greater commercialization pathways for research entrepreneurs, our inclusion onto Research with NJ further validates the academic rigor of our university,” said Dr. Keith Bostian, Associate Provost, Science and Technology, Kean University, CEO, Institute for Life Science Entrepreneurship.

“Stevens Institute of Technology’s integration into ResearchwithNJ reflects our commitment to making transformative research accessible to industry partners and entrepreneurs,” said Ed Synakowski, Vice Provost for Research and Innovation at Stevens Institute of Technology. “With our research spanning artificial intelligence, climate resilience, sustainable energy and healthcare innovation, Stevens is experiencing unprecedented growth in research funding under our Strategic Plan. This partnership with ResearchwithNJ creates new pathways for companies to tap into our expertise and accelerates the translation of academic discoveries into real-world solutions that benefit New Jersey and beyond.”

ResearchwithNJ was developed under the leadership of an Advisory Board consisting of the participating research universities and industry representatives from the NJEDA, OSHE, New Jersey Business & Industry Association, Choose New Jersey, BioNJ, the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, the R&D Council of New Jersey, and TechUnited. The Advisory Board provides oversight and recommendations to ensure the portal’s sustainability and success.

About CSIT
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 state resources available to New Jersey entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, visit https://www.njeda.com and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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TRENTON, N.J. (December 12, 2024) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has published municipality opt-in documents to participate in the Garden State Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program. The program will allow commercial property owners in Participating Municipalities to access a new form of financing to undertake energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy, and resiliency improvements.

WHAT:          The Garden State C-PACE Program allows property owners to repay investments from Qualified Capital Providers into eligible projects through a special assessment to a Participating Municipality, similar to the owner’s real property tax, sewer, or water bill. The Participating Municipality then remits the payment to the initial capital provider. This unique form of financing can result in lower-cost, longer-term financing, making it easier for projects to be cashflow-positive from the outset. Municipalities are required to opt-in prior to any project application.

WHO:             Municipalities interested in participating in the Garden State C-PACE program.

WHEN:          Municipalities are required to first adopt the Opt-In Ordinance prior to submitting an application for participation in the Program to the Authority. Applications will open shortly and will be accepted on a rolling basis. For more information and to view the documents, click here. Interested parties may send questions to gardenstatecpace@njeda.gov.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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The New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s next public Board Meeting will be held in person and via teleconference on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 10:00 am.

IN PERSON:

NJEDA Board Room

36 West State Street, Trenton NJ

TELECONFERENCE:

CONFERENCE NAME:                                NJEDA BOARD MEETING

PARTICIPANT DIAL-IN NUMBER:              1-888-790-3708

PARTICIPANT ACCESS CODE:                    7825427

Members of the public are encouraged to call in prior to the time the meeting is scheduled to begin to avoid any delays.

The agenda can be found 48 hours prior to the meeting on our website: https://www.njeda.gov. The meeting will also be recorded and posted to the NJEDA website shortly after the conclusion of the meeting.

Please be advised that the next Capital City Redevelopment Corporation Board Meeting will be held in person and via teleconference on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 10:00 am. 

Members of the public who wish to speak during the public comment segment of the meeting, pertaining to agenda items, may attend in person or call into the meeting by using the conference number, and are encouraged to call in prior to the meeting start time to avoid any delays.

IN PERSON:

NJEDA Board Room

36 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08625

TELECONFERENCE:

CONFERENCE NAME:                                CCRC BOARD MEETING

PARTICIPANT DIAL-IN NUMBER:              551-220-2262

PARTICIPANT ACCESS CODE:                    980 839 435#

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

Open public comment period closing today

TRENTON, N.J. (December 9, 2024) – The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJMPTVC), under the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), is seeking public input on amendments to the Commission’s Film Ready New Jersey Program requirements.

WHAT:           The Film Ready New Jersey Program is a multi-step training and certification program that prepares communities to accommodate and support movie and television productions and effectively market municipalities as film destinations. The proposed changes aim to introduce greater program consistency, enhancing New Jersey’s competitiveness with other states in attracting film productions. The new requirements will focus on filming guidelines and associated fees.

The document can be found here.

WHEN:          Feedback must be submitted in writing no later than 5:00 p.m. today, Monday, December 9, 2024. Written feedback can be submitted to filmreadynj@njeda.gov. 

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Please be advised that a Board Meeting for the New Jersey Green Bank will be held in person and via teleconference on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. 

Members of the public who wish to speak during the public comment segment of the meeting, pertaining to agenda items, may attend in person or call into the meeting by using the conference number, and are encouraged to call in prior to the meeting start time to avoid any delays.

IN PERSON:

New Jersey Economic Development Authority

NJEDA Board Room

36 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08625

The agenda and teleconference number can be found 48 hours prior to the meeting here.

Small businesses encouraged to take advantage of the Small Business E-Commerce Support Program to develop website, marketing plan & implement online ordering

TRENTON, N.J. (December 4, 2024) – In recognition of Cyber Monday this week, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is highlighting its $4 million Small Business E-Commerce Support Program, which has connected over 430 small businesses to consulting firms which will provide direct technical assistance. Of those businesses connected, 290 New Jersey businesses have successfully completed their consulting services, representing over $2.3 million in technical assistance, which have provided them with free e-commerce and digital marketing consulting services, to help them adapt to the growing e-commerce economy. To date, 39 percent of the funding has supported minority-owned small businesses.

“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey is committed to providing small businesses with resources to ensure their success,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The Small Business E-Commerce Support Program has delivered on this promise by assisting businesses with their digital marketing needs, and the NJEDA is ready to help even more local businesses statewide modernize their services, grow their customer base, and remain competitive in the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape.”

The program offers consulting services to eligible restaurants, retailers, and personal care businesses to assist with web page design and development, online ordering implementation, online appointment booking implementation, e-commerce design and development, and online marketing plan development. Restaurants and personal care businesses can receive up to $11,400 in consulting services, while retail stores can receive up to $10,800.  The consultants work directly with the small business owners to provide a custom plan on what services will benefit their business. 

Reach for the Stars, LLC in Cranford took advantage of the NJEDA’s Small Business E-Commerce Program. Serving as a leader in pediatric speech throughout New York and New Jersey, its new website allows for visitors to read related articles and patient testimonials and explore resources that are available to them.

“As a small business owner, we are often forced to choose one essential project over another because of financial limitations. I was truly honored that my business was selected to receive a grant for a new website, and I couldn’t be happier with the end results,” said Reach for the Stars owner Lisa Jiannetto-Surrusco. “The grant enabled me to get this project done, while allocating the saved money for vital necessities like therapy and testing materials, professional development for the staff, and potential expansion of our menu of services.”

The Barefoot Bride was also able to launch its website through the help of the NJEDA’s Small Business E-Commerce Program. The Red Bank-based bridal shop offers a personalized retail experience for brides-to-be and their families. With its newly revamped website, customers can make their bridal appointments online and browse the latest wedding dress trends.

“For most small business owners having a functional website that is affordable is nonexistent. Being able to reach out to the NJEDA for help was a dream come true,” said The Barefoot Bride owner Mayra Perez Lowey. “We now have a beautiful working website that our customers can easily navigate.”

Cammie’s Spectacular Salon in Wrightstown utilized the NJEDA’s Small Business E-Commerce Program to fully redo its website to offer a full list of services and an online store. Customers now have the ability to book appointments online, as well as view testimonials and Google reviews.

“I have paid a lot of money in the past for services similar to the Small Business E-Commerce Program, and have received much less without the additional training,” said Cammie’s Spectacular Salon owner Trina Stroman. “Everyone was very patient and efficient, and provided me the assistance to move on independently, and still offer support up to 12 months. I really appreciate this.”

Through a competitive selection process, the NJEDA contracted with seven consulting firms to provide e-commerce and digital marketing services to small businesses until the funding is exhausted. Interested businesses should contact the consulting firm of their choice directly to setup an initial call to discuss their needs.

The firms include:

Small businesses interested in the program can click here to learn more.

This program is funded by the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, which was established under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA). The ERA created over 15 programs, including the $200 million Main Street Recovery Program. Since the Main Street Recovery Program launched in October 2021, the NJEDA made over 5,300 approvals for grants, loans, and technical assistance for small businesses totaling $168 million. The Small Business E-Commerce Support Program is the fifth pilot program the NJEDA approved under the Main Street Recovery Finance Program.

About the NJEDA

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 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Please be advised that the next New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission Board Meeting will be held in person and via teleconference on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 10:30 am. 

Members of the public who wish to speak during the public comment segment of the meeting, pertaining to agenda items, may attend in person or call into the meeting by using the conference number, and are encouraged to call in prior to the meeting start time to avoid any delays.

IN PERSON:

New Jersey Economic Development Authority

One Gateway Center

11-43 Raymond Plaza West, 14th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102

The agenda and teleconference number can be found 48 hours prior to the meeting here.

TRENTON, N.J. (November 22, 2024) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is seeking public input on rules for the new Cultural and Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFÉ) tax credit program, which is aimed at elevating arts and culture across the state, increasing the number of first-rate art and cultural experiences for residents and visitors. The CAFÉ program will award up to $75 million in tax credits to capital projects of at least $5 million.

WHAT:           A virtual listening session will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Click here for more information.

WHEN:           Feedback must be submitted in writing no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024. Written feedback can be submitted here.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (November 21, 2024) – This week, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board approved over $17 million in funding for the Local Property Acquisition Grant Program. The funding will support 12 real estate development projects throughout New Jersey.

“Since taking office, Governor Murphy has been dedicated to boosting the economic prospects of New Jersey’s communities, creating jobs for local residents, and generating vital tax revenue for municipalities,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The projects supported through the Local Property Acquisition Grant Program will help advance local economic development initiatives throughout the state by transforming unused real estate into vibrant commercial spaces and community hubs.”

First approved in 2023, the Local Property Acquisition Grant Program is a competitive grant program that will provide funding to municipalities, municipal entities, counties, county entities, and/or not-for-profit local economic and community development entities for the acquisition of a vacant site, building, facility, or collection of properties. Through this funding, awardees may develop or redevelop sites with the intention of supporting local or regional economic development priorities.

Program funding will support either acquisitions for strategic public use projects, including public plazas, parks, and walkways, or acquisitions for future development projects, including commercial or mixed-use developments and research or laboratory spaces.

The following projects were approved to receive funding through the Local Property Acquisition Grant Program:

  1. The Township of Verona will receive up to $1 million to acquire a vacant property located at 46 Lakeside Avenue to create a public parking lot.
  2. The Town of Westfield will receive up to $660,050 to acquire a vacant property located at 200 South Avenue West to create a pedestrian plaza/pocket park.
  3. The Camden Repertory Theater Community Development Group will receive a grant award up to $483,400 to acquire a vacant building at 918 Broadway. The project will be a mixed-use project with performing and exhibition spaces, training and workshop facilities, office space, and five units of affordable housing. 
  4. The Carteret Redevelopment Authority will receive a grant award of up to $1,547,500 to acquire vacant property located at 1179 & 1235-1239 Roosevelt Avenue. The project will be a mixed-use development with commercial space and over 200 residential units, including at least 20 percent affordable units.
  5. Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation Inc. will receive a grant award of up to $1,824,569 to acquire a vacant property located at 14 N. Mississippi Avenue in the Ducktown neighborhood in Atlantic City. The project will be a cultural arts center retaining the 200+ seat theater and converting the upper floors for additional classrooms and teaching areas for music and choir lessons, hosting educational programs and art exhibits, and offering concerts and performances.
  6. The Town of Clinton will receive a grant award of up to $2,409,108 to acquire a vacant property located at 19 West Main Street. The project will be a commercial development.
  7. Greater Bergen Community Action, Inc. will receive a grant award of up to $2,601,155 to acquire a vacant 24,000 square foot, 3-story building located at 106 Somerset Street. The project will be a mixed-use, multi-purpose building with office space, training rooms, community service programs such as Head Start and Adult Education and Training, as well as a credit union branch and a possible coffee shop for commuters.
  8. The Town of Hammonton will receive a grant award of up to $544,663 to acquire the 5,000 square foot vacant former Peoples Bank and Trust Company/First Bank of Hammonton building located at 15 Central Avenue. The project will be either a restaurant, retail, or entertainment space which will be determined following the Town’s Request for Proposals process.
  9. Ideal Education A NJ Nonprofit Corporation will receive a grant award of up to $703,000 to acquire a vacant 20,000 square foot building located at 7 South Carolina Avenue in Atlantic City. The project will be a community co-op food market and aquaponics farming facility. This project will be strategically located in the heart of Atlantic City and will help address local food security gaps and promote community revitalization efforts in the area. Atlantic City is both a Government Restricted Municipality and a Transitional Aid community and is thus eligible for up to 100 percent of appraised property value costs.
  10. The Institute of Music for Children will receive a grant award of up to $257,730 to acquire a vacant property located at 747 Westminster Avenue in Hillside. The project will be part of an expansion of their existing campus in Elizabeth.
  11. Paterson Habitat for Humanity, Inc. will receive a grant award of up to $988,500 to acquire a vacant property (approximately .22 acres) located at 26-32 Spring Street. The project will be a mixed-use new construction project of 16 affordable housing units and child-care space. This project will support city efforts to provide for child-care opportunities, the revitalization of vacant property, quality affordable housing units, and job creation.
  12.  The City of Trenton will receive a grant award of up to $4 million to acquire a vacant property located at 1 West Lafayette Street. The project will be a mixed-use development with hotel, residential, and commercial uses. Trenton is both a Government Restricted Municipality and a Transitional Aid community and is thus eligible for up to 100 percent of appraised property value costs.

About the NJEDA

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 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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