NJEDA Board Approves Implementation of GROW NJ Accommodations to Address COVID-19 Impacts

TRENTON, N.J. (February 10, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board of Directors today approved the implementation of new accommodations for businesses that had previously been approved for Grow New Jersey (Grow NJ) awards. These accommodations were created by the Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA), signed by Governor Phil Murphy on January 7, 2021, which amended the Grow NJ Act to provide flexibility to businesses that had been impacted by the changed economic and health circumstances due to the COVID-19 Health Emergency.

“Businesses of all sizes have endured innumerable challenges caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Governor Murphy’s holistic, proactive response has addressed many of those challenges, but businesses still need flexibility to adapt to the new circumstances the pandemic has created,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Providing businesses that were approved for Grow NJ tax credits that have had to adjust their plans to comply with public health guidance some additional flexibility will enable them to follow through on their commitments to New Jersey’s workers and communities without jeopardizing the incentives for which they were approved.”

The amendments to Grow NJ included in the ERAinclude:

• A business may choose to waive its obligations under the incentive agreement for the 2020 and 2021 tax periods and instead extend the incentive agreement by a corresponding period of time.
• A business may terminate its Grow New Jersey agreement due to the COVID-19 pandemic any time before December 31, 2022 without the NJEDA recapturing previously distributed tax credits.
• A business may amend its Grow NJ agreement to reset its employment requirements starting with 2020 provided the incentive award is recalculated and reduced to reflect the lower employment.

To verify that companies requesting to terminate their Grow NJ awards under the new COVID-related provision are doing so due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, NJEDA staff will require the applicant to submit an explanation of the impact of the public health emergency. Additionally, for all these new ERA provisions, the CEO or an equivalent officer must certify that no events of default have occurred prior to EO 103 (Health Emergency) in March 2020 and that the facility that was approved for tax credits remains operational. Fees for these amendments will follow existing Grow NJ program regulations.

Applicants seeking additional information about the Grow NJ modifications should contact NJEDA Customer Care at CustomerCare@njeda.com.

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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