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Over 2,300 small businesses have received support through the Main Street Recovery Program

TRENTON, N.J. (May 1, 2023) – In recognition of National Small Business Week (April 30 – May 6,) the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced it has issued $85 million in grants and loans to over 2,300 small businesses since the launch of the Main Street Recovery Program in October 2021. Created under Governor Murphy’s Economic Recovery Act (ERA) of 2020, the Main Street Recovery Program provides a comprehensive suite of products designed to support New Jersey small businesses.

“From Cape May to Sussex County, small businesses serve as the backbone of New Jersey’s economy, and especially during the COVID pandemic, supporting our main streets was an essential component of ensuring the sustained vibrancy of our communities and their economic resiliency.” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Under the Main Street Recovery Program, New Jersey continues to invest in our small businesses and their owners, ensuring that our state and local economies continue to thrive today, tomorrow, and for years to come.”

The NJEDA also announced three webinars that will take place during National Small Business Week to highlight resources the NJEDA and other state partners offer to support small business owners. A Spanish-language webinar will be held today, Monday, May 1. A webinar for North Jersey small businesses will be held on Tuesday May 2, and one for Central and South Jersey businesses will be held on Thursday, May 4.

Gov. Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal includes an additional $50 million for the Main Street Recovery Program.

“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey continues to prioritize small businesses by providing them with a suite of products designed to ensure that they have the tools necessary to succeed,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “When the pandemic hit, the NJEDA, under the Economic Recovery Act, worked diligently to craft a suite of products that injected millions of dollars of capital into New Jersey’s main streets. Today, the Main Street Recovery Program has supported and continues to assist thousands of small business owners expand and thrive.”

The Main Street Recovery Program is budgeted to provide $150 million to support the growth and success of small businesses as they emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the program launched in 2021, 330 small businesses have been approved for the Small Business Lease Grant, which provides funding to help businesses who leased new space or expanded their commercial space. 1,250 small businesses have been approved for the Small Business Improvement Grant, which reimburses grantees for 50 percent of the cost of capital improvements, furniture, fixtures, and equipment at their facilities.

In June 2022, the NJEDA launched the Main Street Micro Business Loan to help early-stage micro businesses access up to $50,000 in financing. Since it launched, 735 New Jersey micro businesses, which typically face hardships in accessing traditional financing, have received a combined $35.4 million.

Morph Mentoring, an organizational development corporation located in Neptune, Monmouth County, received the Small Business Lease Grant, which helped it maintain its original location and open a second location. With the Micro Business Loan, Morph Mentoring increased its marketing and improved its online presence.

“I am honored and very appreciative of all the help Morph Mentoring received from the NJEDA,” said Chelsey Brunson, Owner and CEO of Morph Mentoring. “With this incredible funding, we have been able to sustain and expand our business significantly. From doubling our staff to opening a second location, this would not have been possible were it not for the NJEDA support.”

In Marlton, Burlington County, Zed’s Beer is using a Micro Business Loan to invest in larger contracts with suppliers, allowing the company to manage lingering supply chain shortages. The South Jersey brewery was also able to use the Small Business Improvement Grant to offset the cost of creating an outdoor space to accommodate patrons during the pandemic. Zed’s was also able to keep its entire staff on payroll during the pandemic and purchase PPE with the help of NJEDA COVID-relief programs.

“Access to more working capital lets us make better deals than we would have been able to make with tighter cash flow, helping keep our prices down, and maintaining similar margins to what we had pre-COIVD,” said Lori White, co-founder of Zed’s Beer. “We are grateful that, with the support from the NJEDA, we were able to keep our staff, grow our business, and keep serving our loyal customers across South Jersey.”

With the Small Business Improvement Grant, the Micro Business Loan, and COVID-relief programs, Arepa Express in Passaic was able to grow its business, avoid staff layoffs, and continue paying its rent and utilities. Additionally, Arepa Express purchased new kitchen equipment and made an outdoor seating area for guests.

“Without help from the NJEDA, it would have been very difficult to continue running my business,” said Jenny Zapata, owner of Arepas Express. “With their support, we were able to keep our doors open and continue serving our community. I am very grateful for the NJEDA assistance we received.”

The NJEDA recently launched two additional initiatives under the Main Street Program. The Small Business E-Commerce Support Program opened in March 2023 to help restaurants, retailers, and personal care businesses that rely on in-person transactions implement the technological capabilities they need to accommodate pandemic-related health guidelines. This product offers free e-commerce and digital marketing consulting services that are performed for small businesses in the three aforementioned industries that operate from a commercial location. The NJEDA has partnered with seven consultants to assist eligible small businesses with services such as website development and optimization, online ordering making appointments electronically, and digital marketing plans. More information is available here.

In November, the NJEDA announced the awarding of over $11 million to eight lenders and financial institutions through its Main Street Lenders Grant to expand their capacity to support small businesses. The Main Street Lenders Grant provides grants to eligible Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), and other entities that have at least 10 years of experience lending to small and micro businesses. The Main Street Lenders Grant offers eligible lenders grants of up to $1.5 million each, with up to $500,000 reserved for technical assistance needs. Approved entities are providing flexible and low-cost financing through working capital term loans to qualified micro businesses, as well as technical assistance to help micro businesses access capital.

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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Agreements with Camden County College and Camden County Technical Schools will Further Support Offshore Wind Talent Pipeline

TRENTON, N.J. (April 21, 2023) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has announced two agreements to establish sub-arc welding programs at Camden County College (CCC) and Camden County Technical Schools (CCTS). Over $300,000 in funding will be distributed to the two schools to train workers for careers in heavy steel offshore wind component manufacturing.

Sub-arc welding is a welding specialty utilized in large-scale component manufacturing, including for the fabrication of monopiles, which are used as the foundation of offshore wind turbines. As identified in “New Jersey’s Offshore Wind Workforce Assessment Through 2035,” welders are considered to be one of the greatest in-demand occupations for New Jersey’s growing offshore wind industry. By creating training programs with local institutions, New Jersey will continue to provide industry-leading, good-paying jobs, while growing a diverse and well-trained workforce across the emerging offshore wind sector.

“The agreements with CCC and CCTS add to the momentum underway towards meeting New Jersey’s clean energy goals through strategic investments in offshore wind,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Governor Phil Murphy has prioritized building a pipeline of talent for the offshore wind sector in an inclusive, equitable manner that creates opportunities for all New Jerseyans. The State’s highly respected community colleges and technical schools are key partners in providing access to essential training to ensure applicants have the proper skills for the wind industry’s growing opportunities.”

These agreements build on the efforts of the New Jersey Wind Institute for Innovation and Training, which continues to create opportunities through offshore wind workforce development programs. Through the sub-arc welding agreements, students will be equipped to fill positions at manufacturing companies such as EEW Offshore Structures at the Port of Paulsboro. Similar training agreements exist with Gloucester County Institute of Technology and Salem County Vocational Technical Schools.

“We are excited to expand the reach of our offshore wind training programs to Camden County and provide students at these two institutions an opportunity to acquire well-paying positions in the offshore wind industry,” said NJEDA Vice President of Offshore Wind Jen Becker. “These welding training opportunities add to our investment in offshore wind training and demonstrate our commitment to ensuring available local talent for the future of offshore wind. as we work towards Governor Murphy’s vision for a stronger, fairer New Jersey.”

CCC will integrate sub-arc welding into its evening welding program for adults and establish a new sub-arc training program for individuals with prior welding experience. Five scholarships will also be made available for CCC students. NJEDA funding will also support marketing and promoting these programs to attract a diverse array of participants.

“We are enthusiastic to work with the NJEDA, industry stakeholders, and all the partners in this endeavor to fill the talent pipeline,” said Camden County College President Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett. “This partnership advances our mission to provide technical and career training for the residents of South Jersey. We are excited to offer this new curriculum that leads to jobs in sub-arc welding.”

The funding will help CCTS, a four-year vocational-technical public school, integrate sub-arc welding into its current training programs and establish an afterschool program to train senior level high school students in Camden County with introductory and sub-arc welding, and other related, skills. Five scholarships will be made available for afterschool students. Relatedly, but through a separate funding source, the school is adding a $2.8 million welding center to its Pennsauken campus, which will expand the number of welding students CCTS can serve.

“We are proud to partner with the NJEDA and the Wind Institute on these training programs,” said CCTS Superintendent Frederick Cappello. “We have a unique window to get involved with the development of New Jersey’s offshore wind industry by training workers from our Pennsauken and Sicklerville campuses. We look forward to helping our students acquire these in-demand, high-paying positions.”

“Expanding training and education opportunities for New Jersey residents is critical as our State works towards closing gaps in the talent pipeline and strengthening the state’s innovation ecosystem,” said Dr. Brian K. Bridges, NJ Secretary of Higher Education. “This agreement is a shining example of how academic and industry partners across New Jersey are coming together to create opportunities as a means of addressing the problems of tomorrow.”

About the NJEDA

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Program expected to launch later this year

TRENTON, N.J. (April 21, 2023) – On Friday, April 28, 2023, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will issue an expressions of interest form for the New Jersey Indoor Amusement Park Grant Program for potential program applicants. The grant program, which the NJEDA Board approved in February, will support indoor amusement parks, arcades, and entertainment facilities that were hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHAT: The expressions of interest form will help determine level of interest and track interested parties. Once a potential applicant submits an expression of interest form, NJEDA staff will be in contact with the entity to discuss program specifics, eligibility requirements, and the program’s next steps. The expression of interest form is not an application, nor does it require approval. Applications for the NJ Indoor Amusement Park Grant Program are expected to launch later this year.

The grant program will offer one-time grants from $5,000 up to $150,000. For eligibility, venues must have opened on or before March 9, 2020, and demonstrate a financial need by reporting at least a 50 percent loss in indoor self-reported gross revenue from the 12-month period of April 2019. Businesses must be open and operating at the date of application.

WHERE: The expressions of interest form can be found here.

WHEN: Friday, April 28, 2023
9:00 a.m.

About the NJEDA

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FRIDG program will provide grants to food retailers to expand food access to residents in Food Desert Communities

TRENTON, N.J. (April 13, 2023) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will host a webinar to discuss the application process for the Food Retail Innovation in Delivery Grant (FRIDG) program on Friday, April 21 at 2:00 PM. The FRIDG program will provide grants to food retailers to purchase and install self-contained, temperature-controlled lockers within NJEDA-designated Food Desert Communities (FDCs) to expand grocery delivery options, improving food access for FDC residents. The application for the program is expected to open later this month.

Through FRIDG, food retailers can receive up to $250,000 in funding to purchase and install self-contained, temperature-controlled lockers in one of the state’s 50 designated FDCs, where residents can then have their online grocery orders delivered. For those lacking a reliable delivery location due to housing insecurity or unpredictable work schedules, the FRIDG lockers will provide FDC residents with a safe, convenient location where their grocery orders – including produce, meat, and dairy – will stay fresh until retrieved. Bonuses are available to food retailers that place their lockers in one of the FDCs ranked in the top 10 statewide, partner with a community-based organization to locate their locker onsite, and/or waive some or all delivery fees to the locker.

The webinar is scheduled 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 21. Those interested can register for the webinar here.

About the NJEDA

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$240M program and tax credit sale aims to attract & strengthen supermarkets in food desert communities; enables NJEDA to establish innovative programs to combat food insecurity

TRENTON, N.J. (April 12, 2023) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board today approved proposed rules for the $240 million Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Program, which will help address food access challenges by attracting and retaining new supermarkets in the 50 Food Desert Communities (FDCs) designated by the NJEDA last year. Additionally, the Board approved the sale of up to $50 million of the $240 million in tax credits in 2023, the proceeds of which will fund future grant, loan, and technical assistance programs under the Food Desert Relief Act (FDRA). These programs will help increase availability of nutritious foods and develop new approaches to alleviate food insecurity.

The FDRA was established by the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act (ERA) of 2020 and signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in January 2021. As authorized by the ERA, the Board approved proposed rules that will allow the NJEDA to launch the Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Program this year.

“Food insecurity is a widespread and longstanding issue that has been exacerbated by the pandemic, and New Jersey is taking innovative steps to ensure no resident goes hungry,” said Governor Murphy. “By expanding grocery options in an intentional manner, more families across our state’s food desert communities will be able to put affordable and healthy food on their tables. Fighting food insecurity fosters greater wellbeing for countless communities and families, advancing our vision for a truly stronger, fairer New Jersey economy.”

“Every New Jersey resident deserves equitable access to fresh and healthy food options, no matter their zip code. The NJEDA is committed to fighting food insecurity and the Food Desert Relief Tax Credit program will help bring new grocery options to food deserts across the state,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Under Governor Murphy’s leadership and in partnership with Speaker Craig Coughlin and the legislature, New Jersey is working to ensure nutritious foods are accessible and affordable in every community, and this program will further advance the ERA’s goals of fighting food insecurity, creating jobs, and uplifting neighborhoods.”

“I am thrilled to see this program moving forward as we prioritize addressing the problem of food insecurity in New Jersey. This program will help those communities build and sustain healthy, affordable options and grow local business. This is good health and economic policy, in addition to meeting our moral obligations,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “This is among my proudest moments in public life. Fighting hunger and food insecurity in our state has been close to my heart for decades. I thank all the partners who have worked together to make this program a reality.”

The Food Desert Relief Tax Credit program establishes two types of tax credits that encourage resiliency of supermarkets for a lasting impact on communities. Both are available to new and rehabilitated supermarkets within the areas designated as FDCs, which span all 21 New Jersey counties and are home to over 1.5 million residents. The Financing Gap Tax Credit will provide up to 40 percent of project’s costs for development of the first new supermarket located in any one FDC, and up to 20 percent for the second new supermarket. The Initial Operating Cost Tax Credit will be available to supermarket operators to help fill a shortfall in initial operating income.

To be eligible, stores must be located within the boundaries of NJEDA-designated FDCs. Applicants must demonstrate that the project would not be feasible without the tax credit award and demonstrate that the supermarket will remain open for business for at least seven years. Applicants must also commit that the supermarket will accept federal benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program from Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Additionally, supermarkets must devote at least 10 percent of retail space to fresh and/or frozen fruits and vegetables and host a community listening session in the FDC at least once a year. A complete overview of the rules and more information on the Food Desert Relief Tax Credit program can be found here.

The FDRA allocates $40 million per year for six years, totaling $240 million, in tax credits and enables NJEDA to sell a portion of the tax credits to support future grant, loan, and technical assistance programs. Today, the Board approved the sale of up to $50 million in tax credits. Proceeds from the sale will be used to support programs that will advance the priorities established by the FDRA and be available to a wide array of organizations, companies, and retailers to strengthen food security in FDCs. These programs will support costs associated with equipment and technology to make nutritious foods more accessible and affordable, as well as other initiatives to ensure food security of FDC residents.

“This is another critical step in Governor Murphy’s comprehensive plan to address food insecurity and bring nutritious foods to every community,” said NJEDA Executive Vice President for Economic Security Tara Colton. “New supermarkets in food deserts will help ensure every resident has access to groceries regardless of their address and income. Furthermore, the sale of tax credits will expand NJEDA’s toolkit to eliminate barriers to nutritious foods by creating innovative programs that will improve the lives of families, kids, and seniors – empowering the transformation of entire communities.”

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 summary the Food Desert Relief Tax Credit program proposed rules at the end of 2022 and actively sought public feedback. This process included two public listening sessions and opportunities to submit written feedback.

The NJEDA, in collaboration with the Departments of Community Affairs and Agriculture, previously designated 50 FDCs across the state, approved by the NJEDA Board in February 2022. These FDCs will be served by a variety of programs to increase access to affordable, nutritious food through funding for supermarkets, small- and mid-size retailers, and other entities that support food security initiatives.

The Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Program is part of NJEDA’s broader portfolio of work focused on food security, including the Food Security Planning Grant, Sustain & Serve NJ, and Food Retail Innovation in Delivery Grant (FRIDG). More information on the Food Desert Relief Act and Food Desert Community designations can be found here.

In addition to the FDRA, the ERA creates a suite of programs that includes tax credits to incentivize job creation, new construction, and revitalization of brownfields; financial resources for small businesses; new funding opportunities for early-stage companies in New Jersey; and support for the growing film and digital media industry. Additional information on these programs is available here.

The NJEDA Board’s approval of the proposed regulations are subject to the Governor’s veto period and Office of Administrative Law review prior to becoming effective.

About the NJEDA

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Program offers loans to finance clean energy projects or the creation or expansion of clean energy businesses

TRENTON, N.J. (April 12, 2023) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will host a virtual public information session on the New Jersey Clean Energy Loans (NJ CELs) Program on Monday, April 17 at 1:00 p.m. The session will provide information on program eligibility, loan terms, engagement with banking partners, and the application process.

NJ CELs is an $80 million co-lending program created by the NJEDA for small businesses seeking to finance qualifying clean energy projects or for the formation or expansion of clean energy businesses that create jobs in state.

The program’s funds come from the U.S. Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), which was reauthorized under the American Rescue Plan in order to stimulate state and local economies in the wake of COVID-19. NJ CELs will offer loans of $500,000 to $20 million with a term of one to 25 years, with the NJEDA financing up to 50 percent of the total loan amount ($250,000 to $10 million). NJEDA loans must be matched at least dollar for dollar with capital from a financial institution. NJ CELs will unlock capital for small businesses and start-ups, catalyze the deployment of clean energy in New Jersey, and support minority-, woman-, and veteran-owned businesses to participate in the State’s energy transition.

Potential applicants, banking partners, and other interested parties, including members of the media, can register for the April 17 information session here. A recorded version of the webinar will be posted at https://www.njeda.gov/njcels/ following the event.

Applications for the NJ CELs program open Wednesday, April 19, 2023, and will be available here. Those considering applying may conduct an Eligibility Self-Assessment here. Financial institutions interested in offering the benefits of the NJ CELs program to their clients can find information here, and may complete an expression of interest form here.

To be eligible, an entity must have fewer than 750 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) employees and be seeking financing for a clean energy business or project located in New Jersey. Complete eligibility requirements can be found here.

Businesses certified as minority-, woman-, or veteran-owned, as well as businesses or projects located in an overburdened community, are eligible for an additional one percent rate reduction and ten percent loan forgiveness if the project results in at least one job being created per $100,000 of aggregate loan.

About the NJEDA

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The Phase I Joint Ventures Grant will award $250,000 to eligible recreational cannabis businesses

TRENTON, N.J. (April 12, 2023) — In recognition of 4/20 and National Cannabis Awareness Month, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced yesterday that the application for Phase I of its $10 million Cannabis Equity Grant Program will open on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. The Phase I Joint Ventures Grant will provide eligible startups with a grant of $250,000.

The Cannabis Equity Grant Program is focused on supporting businesses and startups in the recreational cannabis industry and ensuring communities that were adversely impacted by the War on Drugs have equitable access to the industry. To this end, 40 percent of the Phase 1 Joint Ventures Grant funding is reserved for qualifying social equity applicants primarily characterized as those who have previous cannabis convictions or live in economically disadvantaged areas. Additionally, 5 percent of the total program funding is reserved for businesses located in Impact Zones, which are areas targeted based on previous levels of marijuana arrests, population, unemployment rates, and other socioeconomic factors.

“Since cannabis legalization more than two years ago, the NJEDA has had impactful discussions with cannabis startups, community leaders, and advocates in order to create a program that brings equity and economic opportunity to communities and individuals who have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “This program will not only ensure equitable access to capital, but also spur economic growth and job creation in communities across the state. The NJEDA is committed to supporting entrepreneurs in this growing industry, which will help bring us closer towards Governor Murphy’s goal of creating a stronger, fairer New Jersey.”

“While the cannabis industry is continuing to thrive and expand, we must ensure that those most negatively impacted by the War on Drugs are not locked out of the industry. A primary focus of the Cannabis Equity Grant Program is to help address this inequity by supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said NJEDA Chief Community Development Officer Tai Cooper. “Cannabis entrepreneurship opportunities can play a crucial role in returning wealth to individuals and communities that have unfairly suffered as a result of the criminalization of cannabis. Ensuring access to these opportunities will help create jobs and bolster New Jersey’s entire economy.”

The Joint Ventures Grant will allocate a total of $6 million in funding to 24 entities that have a conditional or annual license, have obtained site control over their real estate, and have municipal approval. The goal of the Joint Ventures Grant is to support businesses that do not need technical assistance but still have carrying costs and capital issues associated with converting their conditional license to an annual license. This grant will be disbursed in two rounds with the first allocation in the amount of $100,000 occurring upon the execution of the grant agreement. The second disbursement of $150,000 will occur once the grantee receives its annual license and demonstrates that it utilized the first disbursement for eligible costs.

A free eligibility assessment tool is available online for those looking to verify if their business meets the requirements. Eligible applicants must have formed their business after March 9, 2020, and employ 50 or fewer full-time employees. Eligible uses for the Joint Ventures Grant include expenses such as rent and mortgage payments, payroll and independent contractors, utilities, legal, accounting, marketing, and more. To learn more about the program and the eligibility requirements, visit the NJEDA website.

Applicants who are not eligible for the Joint Ventures Grant may qualify for Phase II of the program that will launch later this year. The Phase II Seed Equity Grant of $150,000 is solely for applicants who meet the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s criteria for social equity and have obtained a conditional license but have not secured the real estate or municipal approval and need assistance in converting their conditional license to an annual license. Additionally, all applicants who do not qualify for the Phase I grant will be connected to training and other programmatic resources.

About NJEDA

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

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Please be advised that the next Capital City Redevelopment Corporation Board Meeting will be held in person and via teleconference on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 11:00 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: 507 157 68#

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

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s next public Board Meeting will be held in person and via teleconference on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 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: 877-692-8955

PARTICIPANT ACCESS CODE: 4204420

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.

NJEDA issues RFQ for three service providers to anchor first-of-its-kind center; advance First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Nurture NJ strategic plan

NJEDA also seeking expressions of interest from community partners

TRENTON, N.J. (April 3, 2023) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today took its next step toward developing the Trenton-based Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center, which is central to First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Nurture NJ initiative, by issuing a Request of Qualifications (RFQ) for three anchor tenants to lead the Center. The NJEDA is seeking a health care services provider, an Institution of Higher Education (IHE), and a Trenton-based Multi-Service Organization (MSO) to serve as initial anchor tenants at the Center. These three Lead entities will work collaboratively to provide services to New Jersey expectant and new parents and babies, advance the growth and development of the perinatal workforce, and deliver maternal and infant health policy, research, and innovation focused on eliminating racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

In tandem with the RFQ, NJEDA is seeking expressions of interests from organizations that may not meet the qualifications for or are not interested in serving in a Lead role but may be interested in providing direct services or establishing partnerships with the Center or the selected Lead partners. This builds on the Murphy Administration’s commitment to elevate community voices in the creation of the Center.

“The Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center, through cutting-edge research, data analysis and innovation, will truly be a one-of-a-kind hub for developing groundbreaking solutions to our maternal health crisis,” said First Lady Murphy. “At its core, this center is designed to create innovative models of care and policy that will transform maternal health care locally in Trenton, across our state, and simultaneously serve as a resource for any and all communities across our nation looking to tackle similar disparities. Importantly, the center will be able to continue our vital work long after the Murphy administration, and we look forward to sharing our best-in-class policies, programs and innovations to better support every mother and baby in our state and country.”

“This first-of-its kind Center dedicated to maternal and infant health innovation will ensure Trenton moms and newborns receive the high-quality care and services they need to thrive. But beyond the health care implications, the Center will spur development, create good-paying jobs, support families, and generate economic activity,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Under Governor Murphy and First Lady Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has put this cause at the core of its mission of building a more equitable state. When we invest in families, we invest in communities’ long-term growth and prosperity.”

The creation of the Center is a key recommendation from Nurture NJ’s Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan, which is a roadmap to reduce the state’s maternal mortality rates by 50 percent over five years, and to eliminate racial disparities in birth outcomes. The Center is intended to catalyze new innovations to drive improved maternal and infant health outcomes and to serve as a central hub for New Jersey’s stakeholders dedicated to improving the health of New Jersey’s babies and mothers.

The RFQ released today seeks to identify three lead tenants for the development, programming, and ongoing operations of the Maternal Infant and Health Innovation Center. Together the tenants will focus on several key components including comprehensive clinical services; academic research and workforce training; and wrap-around social services. The tenants will work collaboratively toward eliminating racial disparities in maternal and infant health, which will benefit the City of Trenton, New Jersey, and the nation.

Interested parties may only apply for one of the three lead tenant roles. The NJEDA anticipates issuing a subsequent Request for Proposals (RFP), which will serve as a procurement for these three lead roles. In order to apply for the RFP, applicants for the three lead roles must respond to this initial RFQ. Successful respondents to the RFP will then enter a long-term lease with the NJEDA for space at the Center. The RFQ can be found here.

The lead Healthcare Clinical Services Provider will offer clinical care to Trenton residents focused on maternal and infant wellbeing and health equity. Services the health care provider will be expected to provide include prenatal and postpartum care, newborn and pediatric care, mental and behavioral health care, doula services, family planning services, and home visitation services. The Healthcare Clinical Services Provider must be a New Jersey-based birthing hospital or maternity hospital or healthcare system containing one or more of these hospitals licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health and approved to accept Medicaid by the New Jersey Department of Human Services. Respondents should provide culturally competent care with specialized approaches for Black and Brown women, teenagers, and individuals with limited English proficiency.

The lead IHE will provide world class research on maternal and infant health with a focus on innovative models of care, data processing, and health equity. The IHE will also serve as a hub for growing and training the perinatal workforce, such as community doulas and certified midwives. Additionally, the IHE tenant may offer pre-college programs in clinical and behavioral science, allied health programs for high schools, college programs that incentivize minority students to study health sciences, and Graduate Medical Education support for cultural competency and equity training. IHEs licensed by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, including senior public institutions, county colleges, and independent New Jersey-based public-mission institutions, may apply.

The Trenton-based MSO will focus on providing services that directly impact social determinants of health such as food insecurity, housing, and transportation – issues that severely impact the daily lives of Trenton residents, especially those of color. Services offered by the MSO may include case management, transportation assistance, assistance enrolling in public benefit programs, linkages to food and housing programs, or exercise and yoga classes. An MSO interested in submitting a response must be headquartered in Trenton, provide direct services within Trenton, be a 501(c)3 organization, and have at least 33% of their revenue come from governmental sources for the past two IRS 990 filings.

Organizations that wish to express interest in providing services through or partnership with the Center, but do not wish or may not meet qualifications to respond to the RFQ may fill out the Expressions of Interest Form here. NJEDA particularly encourages responses from organizations with deep experience in the Trenton community and with a track record of culturally competent service delivery that addresses legacies and patterns of systemic discrimination and bias that has led to disparate outcomes in maternal and infant health.

Last year, the NJEDA entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University to facilitate community engagement, build trust and support among Trenton residents, and understand the services needed to improve maternal and infant health outcomes for the Trenton community This process is ongoing and will continue to directly inform potential locations for the Center in Trenton; assess current programs and service offerings for expectant mothers and infants in the Trenton area; identify gaps in the service landscape; and recommend opportunities to leverage existing community assets.

“The creation of the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center is the first step in addressing the long-standing issue of racially based disparities in the provision of maternal health services in Trenton and the region. Community-centered compassionate and equitable care for black and brown women as well as all women must be the gold standard in health care,” said Barbara George Johnson, vice president of external affairs and urban policy at Kean University’s John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research.

In 2019, First Lady Murphy launched Nurture NJ, a statewide initiative dedicated to both reducing maternal and infant mortality and morbidity and ensuring equitable care among women and children of all races and ethnicities. The Center accomplishes a major recommendation in the Nurture NJ Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan.

New Jersey ranks 36th in the nation for maternal deaths and has one of the widest racial disparities for both maternal and infant mortality. A Black mother in New Jersey is nearly seven times more likely than a white mother to die from maternity-related complications, and a Black baby is three times more likely than a white baby to die before his or her first birthday.

About the NJEDA

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