TRENTON, N.J. (January 4, 2022) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced today it will hold two listening sessions later this week to solicit feedback on the New Jersey Innovation Evergreen Fund (NJIEF), which is currently under development. Established under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA), the NJIEF will utilize public and private funds to invest in New Jersey-based companies. The Fund is designed to both address New Jersey’s shortfalls in venture capital funding and create the ecosystem conditions necessary for entrepreneurs to succeed.

As proposed, the NJEDA will raise funds for the NJIEF by auctioning up to $300 million in transferrable tax credits— with an annual cap of $60 million during each of the first five years after program launch—to corporations registered to do business in New Jersey. Auction bids will be evaluated according to price and strategic commitments the bidding company makes to support NJIEF’s portfolio companies and the state’s broader innovation ecosystem, including networking and mentorship opportunities. Details about the NJIEF and the materials that will be presented during the listening sessions can be found at https://www.njeda.gov/program-specific-feedback/.

“Governor Phil Murphy and the Legislature advanced the ERA with the goal of creating programs that prioritize equity and inclusiveness and provide access to resources businesses need to become viable and ultimately succeed,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The New Jersey Innovation Evergreen Fund is a game-changing element of the Governor’s plan to reclaim our State’s leadership in innovation and these listening sessions will help us launch a program positioned to help foster an unmatched platform for collaboration and innovation.”

Members of the public will be able to provide input during the NJEDA’s public listening sessions, which are scheduled for the following times:

  • Thursday, January 6th, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – Topic: Corporate Tax Auction, Register here.
  • Thursday, January 6th, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Topic: Venture Capital Investment, Register here.

These virtual discussions will help the NJEDA implement the NJIEF in a way that will recharge New Jersey’s innovation economy.  The first 30 minutes of the Session 1: Corporate Tax Auction, will be an overview of the New Jersey Innovation Fund and the tax credit sale associated with it. The remainder of the time left will be used for questions and feedback from the public. Session 2: Venture Capital Investment will offer a 30 minute presentation on the qualification of venture capital firms and investments, followed by questions and feedback.

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

In addition to the New Jersey Innovation Evergreen Fund, the ERA creates a suite of programs that includes tax credits to incentivize job creation, new construction, and revitalization of brownfield 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. (January 4, 2022) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today released a draft list of New Jersey’s 50 designated Food Desert Communities for public feedback. Over the next several years, up to $240 million in funding through the Food Desert Relief Act, part of the Economic Recovery Act (ERA) signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in January 2021, will be available to the designated communities. The draft Food Desert Community designations were developed in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA), along with input from the New Jersey Department of Human Services (NJDHS) and New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). Anyone wishing to provide feedback can visit https://www.njeda.gov/program-specific-feedback to offer input before February 4, 2022. The NJEDA will host listening sessions on January 12 (register here) and January 13, 2022 (register here) to solicit stakeholder input.

The Food Desert Relief Act directs the NJEDA to address the food security needs of communities across New Jersey by providing up to $40 million per year for six years in tax credits, loans, grants, and/or technical assistance to increase access to nutritious foods and develop new approaches to alleviate food deserts. The Act strives to facilitate development, construction, and sustainable operations of new supermarkets and grocery stores within designated Food Desert Communities. It also aims to strengthen existing community assets by arming them with the necessary equipment and infrastructure to provide healthier food options. Additionally, it is designed to help food retailers respond to the shift to e-commerce, including for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

“We have an obligation as state leaders, and as human beings, to ensure that no New Jerseyan goes to bed hungry, regardless of their socioeconomic status,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver. “By crafting one of the most comprehensive food desert designations in the country, we are leading the nation in taking necessary steps to eradicate food deserts and remove the barriers keeping our state’s residents from accessing nutritious food.”

According to recent data from the  Community Food Bank of New Jersey, 800,000 New Jersey residents face hunger every day. Feeding America noted that 192,580 New Jersey children – one in 10 – face hunger. The number of individuals receiving NJ SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits rose more than 15 percent, from 769,331 in September 2020 to 887,467 in September 2021, according to data from the NJDHS.

“Far too often, hunger hides in plain sight.  It is incumbent upon us to shine a spotlight on this all-too-prevalent issue while also bringing much-needed relief to the hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans that are affected by food insecurity,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin “The NJEDA’s comprehensive designation of New Jersey’s food desert communities is an important step in this process.” 

Together with its partner agencies, the NJEDA issued a Request for Information (RFI) in March 2021 to solicit insight into food security challenges faced by communities across the Garden State, including specific obstacles and disparities within communities that are considered “food deserts.” The RFI also asked for feedback on specific criteria for the Food Desert Communities designation. The recommendations announced today included feedback received through the RFI process and input compiled from research and from other public-sector organizations. The comprehensive designation includes consideration of factors such as: food retail environment, demographics, economic indicators, and health indicators.

The draft 50 Food Desert Communities include a diverse range of communities in every county across the state.

“We are proud to unveil a robust definition of a Food Desert Community that is both reflective of the unique context of New Jersey and supportive of the hundreds of thousands of individuals affected by hunger every day,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Today’s action to share the draft Food Desert Community designations with the public is the latest in a series of steps Governor Murphy’s administration is taking to eliminate hunger within the Garden State.”

Sullivan noted that, under Governor Murphy’s leadership, the NJEDA launched the innovative Sustain & Serve NJ program early last year. Sustain & Serve NJ grew from a $2 million pilot program designed to support New Jersey’s restaurant industry and strengthen food security into a $45 million initiative on track to support the purchase of 4.5 million nutritious meals from over 400 restaurants in all 21 counties. The meals are purchased, then distributed for free to residents throughout the state. To ensure the program benefits New Jersey’s small restaurants, participating establishments must have 50 or fewer employees.

In November, the NJDA announced that $10 million in American Rescue Funds were being provided to community food banks throughout the state.

“Food insecurity is an ongoing crisis and gathering public input to solidify the Food Desert Communities designations will help connect residents facing hunger with fresh farm products grown and produced at many of New Jersey’s 10,000 farms,” NJDA Secretary Douglas Fisher said.

The NJEDA encourages members of the public that have questions about the Food Desert Community designations, or who would like to provide input, to provide feedback at https://www.njeda.gov/program-specific-feedback or email fooddesertrelief@njeda.com.

The Food Desert Relief Act is part of the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2021 signed into law by Governor Murphy in early 2021. In addition to the Food Desert Relief Act, the ERA creates a suite of programs that includes tax credits to incentivize job creation, new construction, and revitalization of brownfield properties; financial resources for small businesses; historic property reinvestment; new funding opportunities for early-stage companies in New Jersey; and support for the growing film and digital media industry. The NJEDA will continue to engage the public as new programs and rules are developed.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

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

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

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Program will promote equity by improving access to financial resources for small contractors


TRENTON, N.J. (January 3, 2022) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced that it has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking answers to questions about the financing challenges faced by local energy efficiency contractors. The NJEDA plans to launch the New Jersey Green Fund (Green Fund) in the coming months, part of the Murphy Administration’s comprehensive approach to accelerating the growth of an equitable clean energy economy in the Garden State. The RFI seeks specific insights on financing availability and cost of capital challenges faced by New Jersey’s energy efficiency contractors to inform a potential new Green Fund bridge financing loan program. The RFI can be found at https://www.njeda.gov/bidding/#gfbridgerfi. Responses to the RFI are due by January 21, 2022.

The NJEDA is launching the Green Fund as outlined in the State’s 2019 Energy Master Plan and current three-year Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Strategic Funding Plan. The Fund will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote an inclusive clean energy economy by accelerating the deployment of proven clean energy technologies. Similar to green banks across the country, the Green Fund will specifically work on projects that are cost effective and leverage private capital. This approach helps ensure that private financing markets for similar projects will develop over time.

New Jersey Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy Executive Director Jane Cohen noted that the new bridge financing loan program will make it easier for small contractors to access the resources they need to compete for projects in New Jersey’s clean energy space.

“Due to initiatives and policies put in place during Governor Phil Murphy’s first term, we anticipate seeing a significant increase in energy efficiency contracting activity over the next three years,” Cohen said. “Having a go-to resource that small contractors can draw from to help fund projects helps our state accelerate plans to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and grow an equitable green economy.”

The Green Fund’s initial program is expected to help more commercial energy efficiency projects happen in New Jersey. Currently, many commercial energy efficiency projects utilize incentives provided to business facility owners by utility companies and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. The facility owners, in turn, assign these incentives to energy efficiency contractors to undertake the physical retrofit work. Because cash for many of these incentives is paid out only after a “performance period” of proven energy efficiency savings, the local contractors’ working capital is often tied up in projects they have already completed. The Green Fund is exploring programmatic options to ensure these contractors have access to sufficient capital, allowing them to take on more projects, grow their businesses, and create more clean energy jobs.

The RFI announced today seeks input on a “loan-to-lender” approach to solve this challenge.  The program would make loans available to qualified lending intermediaries who will, in turn, use the funding to make incentive bridge working capital loans to energy efficiency contractors operating in New Jersey.

The NJEDA is seeking responses from qualified entities including, but not limited to, capital providers, energy efficiency contractors, New Jersey natural gas and electric investor-owned utilities, non-profit organizations, researchers, and other industry/trade groups.

“The Green Fund will be a phenomenal tool to connect members of the clean energy sector with the tools to propel New Jersey away from dependence on fossil fuel and toward achieving Governor Murphy’s goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050,” said NJEDA Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “First-hand input from clean energy stakeholders will help us to assess models for bridge financing that can support energy-efficiency contractors.”

All RFI responses must be submitted in writing no later than 11:59 PM EST, on Friday, January 21, 2022 via e-mail to: NJGreenFundRFI@njeda.com. The subject line of the e-mail should state: RFI Response-2021-RFI-CE-139: Bridge Financing for NJ Energy Efficiency Contractors.

All questions concerning this RFI must be submitted in writing no later than 11:59 PM EST, on Friday, January 7, 2022 via e-mail to: NJGreenFundRFI@njeda.com. The subject line of the e-mail should state: “QUESTIONS-2021-RFI-CE-139.” Answers to questions submitted will be publicly posted on the Authority’s website on or about January 11, 2022 at: https://www.njeda.gov/bidding/#gfbridgerfi as Addendum.


About 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 609-858-6767 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
 

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Grant will support development of events showcasing state’s creative and innovation ecosystems

TRENTON, N.J. (December 27, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced that it has begun accepting applications today for the NJ Arts and Innovation Festival Challenge Grant. This competitive grant will provide $2 million to a for-profit or nonprofit entity to support the organization and execution of an arts and innovation festival in 2022. The application can be found at https://www.njeda.gov/arts-and-innovation-festival-challenge/.

“From Edison and Sinatra to Bon Jovi and Queen Latifah, New Jersey has a long, rich history rooted in arts and innovation. As we build upon that legacy, we are excited to partner with Governor Phil Murphy to provide $2 million in seed funding for the inaugural NJ Arts and Innovation Festival,” said NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan. “Convening innovators in the tech space with artists and musicians is central to achieving Governor Murphy’s vision for positioning New Jersey as hub where top talent in all industries can live, work, and play. The NJ Arts and Innovation Festival Challenge Grant will advance an event that showcases New Jersey’s creative culture and attracts visitors, new businesses and top talent to our state.” 

The NJ Arts and Innovation Festival Challenge Grant will award one grant of up to $2 million to support operational costs related to the management, production, and promotion of a festival that incorporates live music and art as well as tech demonstrations, panel discussions with innovation economy leaders, and other activities related to the creative economy and innovation ecosystem. The NJEDA Board approved the creation of this grant at its December 2021 Board meeting. The deadline for applications is January 21, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

“When it comes to economic growth, innovation and creativity are two sides of the same coin,” said Allison Tratner, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. “By supporting creators and shining a spotlight on New Jersey’s thriving, diverse arts and culture industry, we not only build more unique, vibrant communities, but we also attract the top talent and companies in other industries that drive long-term economic growth.”

The NJ Arts and Innovation Festival Challenge Grant will provide the funding needed to jumpstart the planning of a world-class festival that brings attention and resources to New Jersey’s creative community and sets the stage for long-term growth.  

The Challenge Grant is open to businesses and nonprofits with demonstrated experience in organizing events of similar scope and scale.

Applicants to the NJ Arts and Innovation Festival Challenge Grant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Registered for business in New Jersey or holding a valid NJ Charitable Registration.
  • Demonstrated experience in organizing and executing at least one (1) event with an attendance of 5,000 or more in the last 7 years.
  • Applicants may add a strategic partner or partners whose experience, knowledge, skills and ability may provide an advantage in the production, management, and/or marketing of the festival.
  • Applicants must include fundraising, diversity and inclusion, security and transportation plans, as well as a local participation program that focuses on host community participation
  • Applicants must be in good standing with New Jersey Department of Labor

Applicants will also need to provide a vision statement that outlines how the festival will help grow New Jersey’s place as a premier live/work/play destination for arts and innovation firms, talent and tourism, as well as fundraising plan to close the gap between the $2 million provided by the Challenge Grant and the total budget for the festival.

More information about the NJ Arts and Innovation Festival Challenge Grant is available at https://www.njeda.gov/arts-and-innovation-festival-challenge/.

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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Updated Plan Will Guide Trenton’s Economic Development

TRENTON, N.J. (December 21, 2021) – The Capital City Redevelopment Corporation (CCRC) today adopted a new Renaissance Plan that is intended to fuel economic development within Trenton’s Capital District. The Renaissance Plan was originally adopted in 1989 to spur economic opportunities and to make the Capital City an attractive place to live, work, play and conduct business. The new Renaissance Plan reflects a multi-year effort by Trenton stakeholders to assess changes to the city’s social, economic, and natural environment factors in order to shape the way the city will be developed in the years to come.

CCRC was 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.

The new 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 the Capital District: 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.

“Today’s adoption of the Renaissance Plan update establishes a clear blueprint to guide public and private development and redevelopment in the Capital District,” said CCRC Chairman Peter A. Inverso. “A 21st century Trenton needs a 21st century plan. We are grateful to the many agencies, organizations, stakeholders, and members of the public who helped shape this plan into one that is both representative of the current community and adaptable for the Trenton of tomorrow.”

Newark-based Topology, a real estate and planning firm, oversaw and assisted 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.

“‘Trenton Makes and the World Takes’ is more than just a slogan, and this updated community-based plan will help us recapture our once-prominent role as a hub of economic activity,” said Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. “This plan has the best of both worlds: It preserves the historical, cultural, architectural and environmental assets of the Capital District, while also engendering significant new development opportunities.”

A draft of the update to the Renaissance Plan was released to the New Jersey State Building Authority, the Planning Board of the City of Trenton, and the Mercer County Planning Board for their input. CCRC also posted the draft plan to its website, and held public hearings in August, followed by a 30-day public comment period.

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Trenton, N.J. (December 20, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the Gloucester County Institute of Technology (GCIT) today announced plans to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support the expansion of the GCIT’s welding and painting programs. Through the MOU, the NJEDA will provide up to $75,000 for programs that prepare students and workers for jobs in heavy steel offshore wind component manufacturing. Supported by funding from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), this MOU is aligned with the creation of the Wind Institute which will accelerate offshore wind workforce development and innovation in New Jersey.

“Job creation in the high-growth offshore wind industry has been a priority for Governor Phil Murphy and cultivating a pipeline of skilled workers is vital to achieving that goal,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “This MOU is latest in a series of bold steps the NJEDA is taking to establish New Jersey as a hub for offshore wind manufacturing.”

“Investing in the future of the offshore wind industry is just as important as investing in the education to create skilled employees,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “The partnership with NJEDA allows the school to tailor their program to fit the skills necessary to work in this industry. The goal is to educate our students so they can find employment at Paulsboro Marine Terminal, located only 20 minutes from their high school.”

GCIT, a four-year vocational-technical public high school in Sewell, New Jersey is collaborating with EEW American Offshore Structures (EEW), a leading manufacturer of offshore wind monopile foundations, to expand and tailor its welding and painting programs. GCIT students will learn the specific job skills required by EEW and other large scale offshore wind turbine component manufacturers.

In December 2020, EEW announced a $250 million investment in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to build steel components, known as monopiles. These monopile will be used as foundations for offshore wind turbines across the Eastern Seaboard. The facility, which is located at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal in Gloucester County, is the largest industrial offshore wind investment in the United States to date. Construction on the facility broke ground earlier this year and hiring of specialized welders and painters will begin by the end of next year.

“Gloucester County is a leader in job innovation and prioritizes creating opportunity for individuals to learn the skills necessary to excel in their future careers,” said Robert M. Damminger, Director of the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners. “Strong partnerships between the County, GCIT, Rowan College of South Jersey and Rowan University is the reason Gloucester County is the fastest growing county in New Jersey and will continue to add talented, hard-working and successful applicants into the career pool.”

“MOUs provide critical access to funding and opportunity which allows programs like GCIT’s to create incredible future employees,” said Commissioner Lyman Barnes, Gloucester County Liaison to the Department of Education. “Our welding and painting programs at GCIT were already impressive, but this will create another level of professional enhancement for our students.”

“We are excited to enter into this partnership and look forward to providing this training to current and future secondary and post-secondary students,” said GCIT Superintendent Michael C. Dicken. “This MOU, coupled with our centralized location near the Port of Paulsboro, will enable us to enhance our partnership with Rowan College of South Jersey, Rowan University, and other vocational technical schools in our region to build capacity and develop programs related to the wind sector.”

EEW anticipates hiring hundreds of workers for the project, the majority of which will be welders and painters. Job skills learned through the expansion of GCIT’s welding and painting programs will position GCIT graduates as attractive candidates for jobs at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal as well as other large scale component manufacturing facilities as the industry grows in New Jersey.

“Workforce development and skills training are critical, as we look to staff our new offshore wind factory in Paulsboro,” EEW CEO Lee Laurendeau said. “The collaboration with industry, education and government is necessary to realize the hundreds of clean energy manufacturing jobs in South Jersey. EEW would like to thank their partners, knowing that this is the beginning of an entirely new industry being brought to the State of New Jersey.”

EEW and GCIT have already made commitments to support the expansion of these programs, including securing donated welding equipment from welding manufacturer Lincoln Electric that will be used in production. Welding for these offshore wind tower foundations occurs onshore in fabrication facilities using specialized machines and welding consumables. To support these technical needs of this project, Lincoln Electric will also be conducting a “Train the Trainer” program for GCIT and other regional vocational school welding instructors focused on the primary welding processes and materials used in production. The training program offered will focus on theory and will provide hands-on experience using Lincoln Electric’s equipment and welding consumables used to weld these large foundations together. This training program will expose local students to the technology necessary to be productive employees in the offshore wind industry. 

The NJEDA’s financial support will help GCIT secure additional specialized equipment and materials, fund instructor time for additional evening/weekend classes that will train adults, and market and promote these programs to attract a diverse array of participants.

Congressman Donald Norcross, who has been a strong proponent of New Jersey’s burgeoning offshore wind industry, welcomed the news of the MOU and applauded the impact it will have on the South Jersey’s economy.

“The offshore wind industry will provide long-term, family-sustaining careers for a new generation of workers in South Jersey,” Congressman Norcross said. “As the product of a registered apprenticeship, I know firsthand how valuable these educational opportunities are. This partnership will fill a demand for highly-skilled welders and painters in the offshore wind industry, which is quickly establishing itself as a powerful force for economic growth in South Jersey. This is another example of how renewable energy and jobs go hand-in-hand.”

Paulsboro Mayor Gary Stevenson echoed Congressman Norcross’s sentiments and noted that positive impact the expansion of GCIT’s welding and painting programs will have on Paulsboro residents.

“As Mayor of Paulsboro, and on behalf of the governing officials and our residents, we are very excited to hear about the progress being made on the beginning of the process to hire and train people, especially local residents, to work at the Port of Paulsboro,” Mayor Stevenson said. “There is much anticipation throughout on hearing the news. This is a huge step in getting folks good paying jobs, and hopefully buying homes and living in Paulsboro. This will have a huge POSITIVE impact on which our community and other local business’s will benefit greatly. This day has been a long time coming and we stand ready to assist in any way. I look forward to working with EEW, NJEDA, & GCIT officials in their efforts to begin the process of hiring and training of workers.”

These efforts complement awards earlier this year by the NJEDA to Rowan College of South Jersey to establish an offshore wind turbine technician training program and to Atlantic Cape Community College to establish an industry-recognized Global Wind Organization (GWO) safety training program and facility.  The GWO facility will prepare New Jersey workers for jobs in the state’s growing offshore wind industry. Like the MOU announced today, these initiatives were funded by the NJBPU.

“New Jersey is emerging as a leader in offshore wind supply chain thanks to both the leadership of Governor Murphy and the collective efforts of industry leaders and other stakeholders working to put the Garden State at the forefront of this vital sector,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “Funding critical programs such as the one GCIT is creating strengthens our ability to ensure New Jerseyans have the tools they need compete for the jobs of tomorrow.”

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 GCIT

The Gloucester County Institute of Technology (GCIT) offers educational opportunities for Gloucester County high school students with a focus on becoming college and career ready. The school is a full-time, four-year comprehensive high school. The programs afford students a well-rounded experience with a full complement of extracurricular activities and athletics. 
 
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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Please be advised that a Capital City Redevelopment Corporation Board Meeting is scheduled for 11:00 am, Tuesday, December 21, 2021.  The Members will convene via conference call 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

Access Code: 140 619 047#

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

TRENTON, N.J. (December 13, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today issued a request for proposals (RFP) for offers to buy an NJEDA-owned, 26-acre property located on Route 1 in North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The RFP can be found here.

“We encourage companies looking to enter, or expand within, New Jersey’s dynamic innovation ecosystem to consider this prime spot between Princeton and Rutgers universities,” NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan said. “Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey is recapturing its role as a leader in innovation and we routinely hear from entrepreneurs about the positive impact locating in the state has on their businesses. Often-cited assets include the state’s top-notch talent pipeline, including the vast pool of scientists and researchers, and easy access to major economic hubs up and down the Northeast Corridor.”

In 2004, NJEDA purchased from DKM Properties approximately 24 acres of vacant land, (Parcel 1), and an approximately 2-acre parcel that includes a retention basin (Parcel 2) on US Route 1 North, North Brunswick.

Since March 31, 2017, NJEDA has received several unsolicited offers and inquiries to purchase the Property. In response to the unsolicited offers, NJEDA has issued an RFP to solicit offers from entities interested in acquiring the Property.

A Proposer may submit an offer to:

  • purchase the Property and receive fee simple title at a closing.
  • ground lease the property, which must include the purchase of the Property at the end of the lease term.

A Proposer also may submit two separate offers: one to purchase the Property and one to ground lease the Property and purchase it at the end of the lease term.

The dates below are provided to interested Proposers for planning purposes only. These are estimated timeline dates and do not represent firm commitment dates by which NJEDA will take action.

A. Key events:

  • Question and Answer Period Ends: January 17, 2022 at 1:00 PM (EST)
  • If required, Addendum with Q&A Responses, estimated: February 1, 2022.
  • Proposals Due: March 16, 2022 at or before 1:00 PM (EST)
  • Estimated Recommendation for Award: May 11, 2022
  • Agreement Execution Date: June 1, 2022

B. Pre-proposal Conference / Site Tour

Prior to submitting an offer, NJEDA strongly recommends that all interested Proposers tour the Property. A Proposer may take an unaccompanied site tour of the Property, at its own risk, between December 13, 2021 and January 17, 2022.

Any questions as a result of the Proposer’s site tour must be presented as required under Section 6c of the RFP.

NJEDA will not provide special consideration after responses to this RFP are opened.

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. (December 9, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today released for public feedback a draft rule proposal for the Historic Property Reinvestment Program, as established under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA). The Historic Property Reinvestment Program is a $50 million competitive tax credit program to leverage the federal historic tax credit program to incentivize transformative rehabilitation projects of identified historic properties.

The program, which is capped at $300 million over six years, focuses on historic preservation as a component of community development. Awards of up to 40 percent of rehabilitation costs are available for qualified properties, up to a maximum of $4 million. Qualified properties in a Government Restricted Municipality or Qualified Incentive track may be eligible for up to 45 percent of rehabilitation costs, up to a maximum of $8 million.  Awards are scored on a competitive basis.

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 two listening sessions for public input on the draft rules.

“Governor Phil Murphy and the Legislature advanced the ERA with the goal of creating programs that prioritize equitable and inclusive development,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The Historic Property Reinvestment program will do just that by ensuring that iconic New Jersey properties are renewed in a way that respects history while creating assets that support dynamic community development that enriches the lives of local residents.”

Draft Historic Property Reinvestment Program rules are available now for review here. 

Members of the public can also provide input during the NJEDA’s public listening sessions, which are scheduled for the following times:

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

In addition to the Historic Property Reinvestment Program, the ERA creates a suite of programs that includes tax credits to incentivize job creation, new construction, and revitalization of brownfield 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. (December 9, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has announced the approval of support for the purchase and renovation of Hamilton Square, a 68-unit mill-style, two building apartment community located in the Great Falls Historic District of Paterson.

Yesterday, the NJEDA Board approved Economic Redevelopment and Growth (ERG) tax credits for co-applicants Hamilton Square Urban Renewal LLC and Soldier On Veterans Village VII, LLC (SOVV). The entities intend to purchase and renovate the property, which consists of a three-story brick historic building built in 1814 and a four-story brick building built in 1997. The project, located at 20 & 21 Mill Street, is comprised of a mix of seven one-bedroom units, 54 two-bedroom units, and seven three-bedroom units, and parking spaces for tenants. Seven units within the property will be converted to full Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance as part of the planned rehabilitation. Fifty units (71 percent) are currently occupied.

SOVV is a subsidiary of Soldier On Inc., a Massachusetts-based nonprofit committed to ending veteran homelessness. Soldier On was organized in 1994 to provide a continuum of programs to ensure that homeless veterans and their families have access to immediate and long-term housing with an array of support services delivered to them where they live. Soldier On will provide veteran referrals and supportive services to the veteran population at Hamilton Square, including securing affordable housing units, when available.

“The decision by Governor Phil Murphy and the Legislature to extend the ERG program is enabling projects that will help communities and residents hit hardest by the pandemic recover while programs created by the ERA take shape,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “This project upholds several of the policy goals established under the ERA, particularly those that uplift our most vulnerable citizens by providing affordable and accessible housing options for veterans, and those with disabilities.”

“Reaching the homeless Veteran population is an enormously difficult task, but a crucial one,” said NJ Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Brig. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, D.O.  “Our dedicated Veterans Service Officers and the two existing state-run Veterans Havens do incredible work every day toward the goal of ensuring all New Jersey Veterans can access the benefits they have earned. The tremendous efforts of Governor Murphy, the Legislature, the NJEDA, private and public organizations together, affirm steadfast support for those who have served and sacrificed for our great state and nation.”

To support more projects like the Hamilton Square development, Governor Murphy committed an additional $125 million to the Residential ERG program through the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA), a comprehensive package of economic development legislation to address the ongoing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and build a stronger, fairer New Jersey economy. This new commitment of funding is enabling projects that are ready to move forward now to advance while new ERA programs are under development.

The ground floor of 21 Mill Street has eight commercial spaces with a commercial parking lot that are not part of the Project. The land and buildings will be broken into two parcels with the applicants solely purchasing the residential portion and the commercial component remaining with the current owner.

Estimated renovation costs are $5.9 million and will include completely renovated kitchens and bathrooms, updated aluminum windows, new doors, and high-grade vinyl floor or hardwood floors.

Additionally, the project will include common area and exterior renovations such as: conversion of the 1,500-square-foot vacant commercial space at 20 Mill Street into a community

room, creation of a small fitness center, repairs to the elevators, installation of a new security system with cameras, and execution of other repairs and upgrades to common areas, including the parking lot and fencing.

The applicants are eligible for a base award of 20 percent of eligible project costs, plus an additional 20 percent (for a total of 40 percent) since the property is located in a Garden State Growth Zone.  The project was approved for tax credits of 37.57 percent of eligible project costs of $16.8 million, not to exceed $6.3 million.

The application for the residential ERG program reopened on June 1, 2021 and is administered based on pre-existing ERG regulations and statutes, as amended by the ERA, which added new prevailing wage and minimum wage requirements.

For additional information and detailed eligibility requirements, including a clarifying document outlining all requirements and application review protocols for interested parties, visit https://www.njeda.gov/economicrecoveryact/. Specific questions can be directed to ergextension@njeda.com.

For more information about the extension of the ERG program and other programs created by the Economic Recovery Act, please 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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