NJEDA Board Approves CAFE Program Award for New Jersey Symphony’s New Permanent Location

Symphony Center at Powerhouse Arts District in Jersey City will offer state-of-the-art performance and education facilities

TRENTON, N.J. (May 14, 2026) – Yesterday, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board approved more than $29 million in tax credits under the Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) Program to New Jersey Symphony in support of the Symphony Center at the Powerhouse Arts District in Jersey City. The project will create a new, permanent venue and administrative space for New Jersey Symphony, expand free and low-cost arts programming, and advance neighborhood revitalization.

“New Jersey’s booming arts and culture sector continues to create impactful economic opportunities, enhancing quality of life in local communities and supporting high-quality jobs across the state,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss. “The NJEDA is committed to supporting cultural institutions like New Jersey Symphony as it expands artistic offerings and educational initiatives, cultivating new generations of artists and catalyzing neighborhood vitality.”

The Symphony Center at Powerhouse Arts District, located at 151 Bay Street in Jersey City, will include a 550-seat performance hall, dedicated rehearsal and production spaces, and rooms to host year-round cultural arts educational classes, workshops, and afterschool programs. The center will host more than 100 public performances annually, including orchestral concerts, jazz, film, spoken word, and multimedia productions, and encourage community engagement through civic events, artist residencies, public forums, and cultural celebrations.

Founded in 1922, New Jersey Symphony, one of the oldest and largest performing arts organizations in the state, reaches more than 140,000 people annually through live performances, education, and wellness programs in over 100 New Jersey communities. The Symphony Center project will expand the Symphony’s reach in Hudson County region, creating new jobs and increasing access to arts education.

“This expansion is a transformative moment for New Jersey Symphony, Hudson County, and for Jersey City. With the NJEDA’s support for the Symphony Center, which will become the first fully managed facility by New Jersey Symphony, we can expand our performances and education programs into Jersey City,” said New Jersey Symphony President & CEO Terry D. Loftis. “This expansion continues our deep commitment to Newark and other communities throughout New Jersey, where our mainstage concerts, community events, and education programs impact the lives of thousands each year. As the Symphony’s president and CEO, and as a resident of Jersey City, I am excited about the opportunities this new chapter creates for our community, and I look forward to welcoming everyone to the Symphony Center.”

The center will be an anchor institution of the Powerhouse Arts District, a cultural corridor in Jersey City within walking distance of dense residential and commercial development and accessible by PATH train, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, NJ Transit buses, and the NYC Ferry.

“The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra choosing Jersey City as its permanent home is a significant moment for our city and the entire region. The Symphony Center at Powerhouse Arts District will be a world-class performance venue and a civic anchor, bringing free and low-cost arts programming to Hudson County residents,” said Jersey City Mayor James Solomon. “Jersey City has invested deeply in building the Powerhouse Arts District into a thriving cultural corridor, and this $29 million commitment from the NJEDA reflects exactly what’s possible when state and local partners align around a shared vision. We are proud to welcome the New Jersey Symphony home.”

New Jersey’s arts and culture sector contributes billions of dollars in economic activity each year, drives tourism, and enhances quality-of-life for state residents. NJEDA initiatives like the CAFE Program and the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (A.R.T.) Program leverage the economic potential of arts and culture projects to boost foot traffic in downtowns and main streets across New Jersey, supporting local small businesses, creating jobs, bolstering engagement with the arts, and strengthening the vibrancy of communities.

The CAFE Program aims to increase cultural arts activities, attract visitors, boost engagement with the arts in underserved communities, and revitalize downtowns by providing tax credits to build or renovate facilities, including aquariums, historical societies, libraries, galleries, and museums. Eligible awardees can receive tax credits covering up to 100 percent of eligible project costs, up to $75 million.

The NJEDA is not currently accepting new applications under the CAFE Program, but stakeholders are encouraged to visit www.njeda.gov/cafe periodically for up-to-date information.

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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