Route 80 Business Assistance Grant Program

Notice of Funding Availability (Posted on April 14, 2025)

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the Route 80 Business Assistance Grant Program (“Program”) during three application windows beginning on April 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST.

The Program will make available up to $5 million in grant funding, as approved by the Authority Board on April 9, 2025, Route 80 Business Assistance Board Memo , to eligible applicants that have suffered negative financial impacts due to the closures of Route 80 caused by sinkholes with a physical commercial location in Morris County, New Jersey for working capital reimbursements that meet the eligibility requirements discussed below.

español (Spanish)
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, los servicios de asistencia lingüística, gratuitos, están disponibles para usted enviando un correo electrónico a languagehelp@njeda.com.

Applications will be accepted on the following schedule based upon available funding:

Morris County, NJ Businesses within a 5-mile radius of Exit 34 Closures

Open: April 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EST

Close:  April 28, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EST  

The application will only open on the dates below if funding remains available.

Morris County, NJ Businesses within a 10-mile radius of Exit 34 Closures

Open: April 29, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EST

Close:  May 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EST

All Morris County, NJ Businesses

Open: May 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. EST

Close:  May 9, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EST

No application fees will be charged for this program. The application can be accessed at: https://programs.njeda.com/en-US/

Purpose and Overview

On March 8, 2025, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 383 declaring a state of emergency following geophysical hazards created along eastbound Interstate 80 (“I-80”) in Morris County, New Jersey due to sinkholes, resulting in the temporary closure of a portion of the roadway. In response, the Program was created to provide short-term financial support for small and medium-sized businesses in the area experiencing decreased revenue due to reduced customer access and disrupted supply chains.

Funding Source

The total funding available for the Program is up to $5 million allocated from the Economic Recovery Fund (“ERF”).

The total funding and award amount are based upon current information about funding availability. NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants for the Program are small and medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”) with up to 50 full-time equivalent employees (“FTEs”) that have a physical commercial location in Morris County, New Jersey.

The eligibility requirements are as follows:

  1. Operation Date: The SME must have been in operation on December 1, 2024.
  2. Employee Count: The SME must have no more than 50 FTEs as reported on their 4th Quarter 2024 WR-30 form with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
  3. Location: The SME must have a physical commercial location in Morris County, New Jersey, and must have sustained negative financial impact to their commercial location as a result of the Route 80 closures.
  4. Financial Impact: Applicants must certify to a negative financial impact that is greater than $1,000 for the first quarter of 2025.
  5. Business Registration: At the time of approval, the SME must be registered to do business in the State of New Jersey, evidenced by a valid Business Registration Certificate from the Division of Taxation. If not recognized by the Division of Taxation, the SME must provide proof of registration with the State prior to December 1, 2024, and a valid Business Registration Certificate.
  6. Tax Clearance: The SME must have tax clearance, confirmed with the New Jersey Division of Taxation or through the submission of a tax clearance certificate prior to approval.
  7. Application Limit: Entities can submit only one application per Employer Identification Number (“EIN”). Businesses with multiple locations within Morris County but only one EIN will be limited to one application, though all revenues and impacts will be considered during the approval process.
  8. Use of Funds: Applicants must acknowledge and agree that grant proceeds can only be used for reimbursement of working capital expenses.
  9. Duplication of Benefits: There is a restriction on duplication of benefits that could exclude potential applicants that have already received business interruption assistance.

Ineligible Applicants

Ineligible applicants include, but are not limited to: gambling or gaming activities; the conduct or purveyance of “adult” (i.e., pornographic, lewd, prurient, obscene or otherwise similarly disreputable) activities, services, products or materials (including nude or semi-nude performances or the sale of sexual aids or devices); any auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sales; sales by transient merchants, Christmas tree sales or other outdoor storage; any activity constituting a nuisance; cannabis licensed or certified businesses and any illegal purposes.  

Home-based businesses are not eligible for this Program. Landlords are also not eligible for this Program.

Eligible Uses

Grant funding may only be used for reimbursement of working capital expenditures.

Ineligible Uses

Grant funding may not be used for other direct use of funds, including capital expenses such as remediation or construction.

There is a restriction on duplication of benefits that could exclude potential applicants who have already received business interruption assistance.

Application Submission and Review Process

Applications will be accepted through the Program’s online application portal using a tiered application process to streamline the allocation of funding, prioritizing businesses based on their proximity to Route 80 exit 34 sinkholes. All required application questions must be completed fully.

In the first phase, businesses situated within a 5-mile radius, based on their zip code will be eligible to submit their applications, granting them initial access to the funding pool. Following the initial phase, and subject to funding availability, the application process will also open to businesses located between 5.01 and 10 miles from the sinkhole site. Finally, businesses situated more than 10 miles away, but still located within Morris County will have the opportunity to apply, should funding be available.

NJEDA staff will review all applications for completeness and eligibility. The funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by the submission date of each application. 

Grant Amounts

The Program provides grants ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $15,000 based on the number of full-time equivalent employees and the negative financial impact for the first quarter of 2025.

The award amounts are structured as follows:

  • 0-5 FTEs: $5,000 maximum
  • 6-20 FTEs: $10,000 maximum
  • 21-50 FTEs: $15,000 maximum

The grant is capped at the lesser of the applicant’s FTE jobs or the negative financial impact for the first quarter of 2025.

Fees

No application fees will be charged for this program.

Additional Requirements and Information

Comprehensive information about the Route 80 Business Assistance Grant Program is available at Route 80 Business Assistance Grant Program – NJEDA

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to CustomerCare@njeda.gov .

State and Federal Requirements

Funding for this grant is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions including grant awards by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.

Click Here for PDF

Food Equity and Economic Development Pilot Program (Posted on February 13, 2025)
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the Food Equity and Economic Development in New Jersey (“FEED NJ” or “Program”) Pilot Program on February 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET. Applications will be accepted through April 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET.

As approved by the Authority Board on December 19, 2024, the Program will make available up to $30 million in grant funding through a competitive application process to eligible applicants for projects that strengthen food access and food security in New Jersey’s most acute Food Desert Communities (“FDCs”), excluding Atlantic City/Ventnor. The Approved Board Memorandum can be accessed at: https://www.njeda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Board-Memo-FEED-NJ.pdf.

There is no application fee for this program. The application can be accessed at: https://www.njeda.gov/feednj/.

Purpose and Overview 

The Food Desert Relief Act (“FDRA”), signed into law in January 2021, directed NJEDA to collaborate with the New Jersey Departments of Community Affairs and Agriculture to designate up to 50 FDCs across the state. The FDRA also allocated a total of $240 million in tax credits to NJEDA and allowed a portion of these to be sold to fund programs to alleviate food deserts and support food security initiatives in FDCs. FEED NJ was created to use the proceeds from the sale of FDRA tax credits to address the multifaceted challenges of food insecurity in New Jersey’s most acute FDCs. The program aims to catalyze innovative, sustainable, and scalable food security and food access initiatives with high potential to maximize community-level impact.

Funding Source

The Program will utilize up to $30 million of funding from proceeds of the NJEDA’s 2023 and 2024 Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auctions. The FDRA allowed the NJEDA to sell a portion of the $240 million in tax credits allocated by the FDRA ($40 million annually) through tax credit auctions. Eligible bidders could purchase available credits for a minimum of 85 percent of face value for New Jersey Corporate Business Tax or Insurance Premiums Tax liabilities. The proceeds from these auctions must be used to fund programs to alleviate food deserts and support food security initiatives in FDCs through grants, loans, and/or technical assistance.

The total funding and potential award amount are based upon current information about funding availability. NJEDA reserves the right to increase that award amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Program Details

FEED NJ aims to strengthen food access and food security, particularly in New Jersey’s most acute FDCs. The program specifically targets 14 of New Jersey’s top 15 FDCs, excluding Atlantic City/Ventnor as it was the sole focus of the Atlantic City Food Security Grant Pilot Program. These FDCs are located across eight counties and include portions of 11 municipalities, home to 567,349 residents. The eligible FDCs are North, Central and South Camden/Woodlynne, Newark South, Newark West, Camden East/Pennsauken, Trenton West, Newark North and Central, Newark East, Salem City, Passaic City, Trenton East, Bridgeton/Fairfield Twp/Lawrence Twp, Paterson South, New Brunswick City, and Paterson North. The boundaries of an FDC generally do not include an entire municipality because FDCs are designated at the block-group level. The boundaries of eligible FDCs can be seen in the interactive map available on EDA’s website.

Applicants may also elect to serve additional NJEDA-designated FDCs, provided the primary focus remains on at least one of the 14 eligible FDCs.  

Eligibility 

Eligible applicants are for-profit or nonprofit entities that have been in existence for at least two years at the time of application. Municipalities and other government agencies are not eligible to apply for this grant opportunity. Applicants are limited to one application per EIN.

Applicants must be in good standing with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Additionally, applicants must be registered to do business in New Jersey and in substantial good standing with the NJ Division of Taxation, as evidenced by a current Tax Clearance Certificate. For projects involving construction, evidence of site control or a path to site control must be provided at the time of application.  

Applicants may propose collaborating with other entities. If any other entity incurs expenses as part of the proposed project, those expenses and that entity’s role must be described in the application. NJEDA will disburse grant funds only to the applicant entity directly and will not permit a joint venture. Joint ventures are not eligible to apply for this grant opportunity.

Eligible Uses 

Proposed projects may be new initiatives, an expansion of existing services, or both. Eligible costs can include but are not necessarily limited to minor renovation, equipment, installation, salaries and fringe, and rent. Acquisition of land or buildings, ground-up construction, fines incurred because of code or zoning violations, and major renovations (e.g., construction of an additional floor or an addition to the building footprint) are not eligible costs. All costs must be incurred after the date of grant agreement execution and are subject to the Authority’s approval of the project budget and supporting documentation. Additionally, construction-related work must comply with state affirmative action requirements and prevailing wage requirements.

Application Submission and Review Process 

Applications will be accepted via the Program’s online application portal during the six-week application period from February 20, 2025 10am EST to April 3, 2025 5pm EST. Applicants must complete all required application questions fully and upload all required documents. NJEDA staff will review all applications for completeness and eligibility. Applicants that fail to provide required information will be given an opportunity to cure those deficiencies before a final completeness and eligibility review. Following this review, applications that are incomplete, including those that do not provide responses to all required questions or fail to provide all required documentation, will be rejected. Applications that do not meet the applicant eligibility criteria will be declined and will not proceed to scoring.

All complete and eligible applications will proceed to scoring. Scoring will be conducted by a committee of NJEDA staff. A minimum score of 70 points, including a minimum of 8 points in the Strength of Budget and Budget Narrative criterion, will be required out of a maximum total score of 100. Only applications scoring at or above both of these two minimum scores will be considered for an award.

A copy of the FEED NJ scoring criteria is available at https://www.njeda.gov/feednj/.

Following scoring, applications will be presented to the Board for funding approval. Funding will be allocated to the highest scoring applicants, proceeding in decreasing order of score to other applicants that meet the minimum score requirement, until insufficient funds remain to fully fund the next eligible application.

In the event of a tie in scoring, the award will be made to the applicant with a higher “Project Impact” criterion score. If that score is equal, then the award be made to the applicant that has secured additional outside funding for total project costs, as demonstrated through the budget narrative.

If funds remain after the initial allocation, NJEDA staff will notify the next highest scoring applicant that meets the minimum score requirement and specify the amount of funds remaining. The applicant will have 10 business days from the date of being notified to either accept the partial funding and provide proof of additional funding to cover the remaining project costs or to revise their scope of work and budget to match the partial funding.

Grant Amounts 

Applicants may request a grant amount ranging from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $500,000. Grant funds may cover up to 100 percent of the proposed project costs. If grant funds from NJEDA are not requested to cover 100 percent of the proposed project costs, additional funding sources (both potential and secured) must be described in the budget narrative submitted with the application.

Closing Requirements

Following approval by the Board and execution of their award letter, approved applicants must meet certain requirements of closing before a grant agreement will be executed. If applicant fails to meet closing requirements within 90 business days of receiving the grant agreement, NJEDA staff will return to the Board to seek approval for the next highest scoring eligible applicant that meet the minimum score requirement. For projects involving construction, applicants must provide evidence of site control for the duration of the grant term. For all other projects, applicants must provide evidence of site control for the duration of the grant term if applicable and at the discretion of the Authority. Applicants that identified outside funding sources in their project budget must provide evidence of commitment/availability of such funding.

Grant Funding Disbursements 

The disbursement schedule for the grant is as follows:

  • –30 percent of the grant will be disbursed upon execution of a grant agreement between NJEDA and the selected applicant.
  • –Once the applicant’s quarterly expenditure reports demonstrate that the initial disbursement has been spent on eligible costs, further expenditures on eligible costs will be reimbursed on a quarterly basis, up to a maximum of 50 percent of the grant amount, upon the Authority’s review and approval of the applicant’s quarterly expenditure reports.
  • –Up to 20 percent of the grant amount will be disbursed upon the Authority’s review and approval of the applicant’s final progress and expenditure reports. Approval of these reports will be contingent on the applicant demonstrating that expenditures were made for eligible costs. Disbursements will be made only up to the value of actual eligible costs or the approved grant amount, whichever is lower.

–Grantees will be required to provide progress and expenditure reports to NJEDA quarterly, starting at grant execution and extending through the end of the grant term of either 12 or 24 months. At the sole discretion of the Authority, one 6-month extension may be granted if NJEDA determines the grantee is diligently pursuing the use and the delay was unforeseeable and not in the grantee’s control. At the end of the grant term, these quarterly reports will be replaced by final progress and expenditure reports. These reports must provide updates on grantees’ progress against their proposed project timeline, data on the project’s outcomes and impact (e.g. number of people served), and project costs since the last report.

Fees      

No application fees will be charged for this program.

Additional Requirements and Information  

Comprehensive information about FEED is available at https://www.njeda.gov/feednj/.

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to foodsecuritygrants@njeda.gov.

State and Federal Requirements 

Funding for this grant is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions including grant awards by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. 

Click here for full PDF

New Jersey Manufacturer’s Voucher Program Phase 3 (Posted on February 12, 2025)


Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the Phase 3 – New Jersey Manufacturer’s Voucher Program (“NJ MVP Phase 3” or “Program”) on February 19, 2025, at 10:00am EST. Applications will be accepted until all funds have been exhausted.

NJ MVP Phase 3 will make available up to $10 million in grant funding through a rolling application process with priority given to new applicants who have not previously or will not be awarded grants under Phase 1 or Phase 2 (based on EIN) during the initial two-week application period to provide New Jersey manufacturers with access to essential equipment, which will enhance efficiency, productivity, and overall profitability in New Jersey.

A fee of $1,000 is required at the time of application. The application can be accessed online at: https://www.njeda.gov/mvp3/.

Purpose and Overview

NJ MVP Phase 3 will provide support to New Jersey priority sectors and manufacturers that purchase equipment that integrates advanced or innovative technologies, processes, and materials to improve the manufacturing of products. Phase 3 of the Program will continue to stimulate private sector investments to modernize New Jersey’s manufacturing industry, and to help keep pace with state-of-the art product development and manufacturing technology.

Funding Source

The Program will utilize up to $10 million allocated from the Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget deposited into the Economic Recovery Fund (“ERF”). Pursuant to N.J.S.A § 34:1B-7.13(a)(12), ERF Funds can be utilized “to provide grants or competition prizes to funds initiative-based activities which stimulate growth in targeted industries as defined by the authority’s board or supports increasing diversity and inclusion within the State’s entrepreneurial economy.” NJMVP, as a grant program stimulating growth in Advanced Manufacturing or manufacturing activities in any of the other “targeted industries”, is an eligible use of ERF funding.

Note: The potential award amount is based upon current information about funding availability; NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Program Details

NJ MVP Phase 3 will provide reimbursement of manufacturing equipment costs sized at 30% to 50% of the cost of the eligible equipment (including installation), up to a maximum grant award amount of $250,000. The Program will continue to support the purchase of manufacturing equipment for New Jersey manufacturers in “Targeted Industries” for their manufacturing process or equipment that meets the definition of “Advanced Manufacturing”. (See Targeted Industry List and definitions: https://www.njeda.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Appendix-C-Targeted-Industries- Definitions-12.6.22_v2.pdf) Examples of advanced manufacturing technologies include additive manufacturing technologies, computer-aided manufacturing, utilization of advanced sensors and robotics to improve production, development of advanced materials to support production, and digital twin development and utilization. This industry also includes firms that manufacture either finished or interim advanced technologies or components.

The Program will offer bonuses for Certified Woman, Minority, and Veteran Owned Businesses (WMVB); businesses located within opportunity zones; manufacturing equipment purchased from a New Jersey manufacturer or assembler, manufacturers with fifty (50) or less employees or Full Time Equivalent employees; as well as bonuses for companies that have a collective bargaining agreement in place. NJ MVP is also committed to supporting Small Businesses by awarding manufacturers with up to 100 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) employees with higher award percentages. Companies with 100 FTEs or less are capped at 50% of the award. Companies with employees over 100 FTE are capped at 40% of the award. Additional information about “small business” is available at MVP webpage: https://www.njeda.gov/mvp3 .

A “Small Business” means a business engaged primarily in one industry with 100 or fewer employees, as determined six months before application and at the time of application. An “Employee” of a small business shall include a person who is employed for consideration for at least 35 hours a week; who is employed pursuant to an employee leasing agreement for at least 35 hours a week; or who is a partner of a business who works for the partnership for at least 35 hours a week. An Employee of a small business shall also include any person who works as an independent contractor for the business or a contract worker who works at the business for at least 35 hours a week. For those persons who are employed by the business or who work for the business as independent contractors or contract workers for less than 35 hours, 35 hours of employment a week shall constitute one employee, regardless of whether the hours of work were performed by one or more persons. This is known as “Full Time Equivalents.” The Authority may determine a different number of hours a week or other standard of service generally accepted by custom or practice as full-time employment. For purposes of the number of employees, a small business shall include all of its affiliates, regardless of whether the affiliate may contribute full- time jobs or capital investment to the project.

Eligible Uses

Grant funding can only be used for the purchase and installation of (new and/or used) manufacturing equipment used in the manufacturing process. The equipment must be located and installed at a New Jersey facility location. If an applicant is eligible for multiple pieces of equipment, they must have all equipment delivered and installed before they submit for reimbursement. An Applicant does not have to acquire all eligible pieces of equipment in their approval letter and may submit for reimbursement only for what they decided to acquire.

Eligible manufacturing equipment includes technologically advanced equipment or production/operating systems, included by not limited to robotics, additive manufacturing

equipment, hardware or software for digital twinning, advanced sensor or control systems, as well as interconnected sensors, instruments, and other devices networked together with industrial applications, and related security.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants for this Program are for-profit or non-profit manufacturers who are located in a commercial or industrial zone in New Jersey. Home-based businesses are not eligible for this Program. The acquisition of eligible equipment must have been executed at arm’s length.

To ensure equitable access to funding, Phase 3 applications will be prioritized for new applicants who have not previously been awarded grants under Phase 1 or Phase 2 (based on EIN) during the initial two-week application period. Following this period, all eligible businesses will have the opportunity to apply for funding, subject to available resources.

To be eligible for the Program:

  • –Applicant company must be either a manufacturer in a Targeted Industry or the equipment to be purchased by the applicant company must meet the Advanced Manufacturing definition. (See Targeted Industry List and definitions: https://www.njeda.com/wp- content/uploads/2022/11/Appendix-C-Targeted-Industries-Definitions-12.6.22_v2.pdf
  • –Applicant company must provide current NJ Tax Clearance Certificate by the time of approval. This Certificate must be maintained through the closing/grant agreement process to demonstrate the Applicant is properly registered to do business in New Jersey and is in substantial good standing with the NJ Division of Taxation.
  • –Applicant company must be in substantial good standing with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) and NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
  • –Applicant company must provide purchase quote, order proforma, equipment listing, and/or third-party cost validation.
  • –Projects with executed contracts, a purchase order placed, or a deposit dated prior to submitting the application WILL NOT be considered for funding.
  • –Applicant must operate their business in a commercial or industrial zone in NJ.
  • –Equipment must be located and used in the manufacturing process in a NJ location.
  • –Equipment must be used in the manufacturing process and a narrative must be provided how the requested equipment will be used. (Please see www.njeda.com/njmvp3.)
  • –Total aggregated project cost (equipment + installation) must be at least $25,000.00.
  • –Signer of the application must be an authorized signer (an owner, officer, VP or higher, or otherwise have the legal authority to bind the business) of the business.
  • Note: All construction contracts equal or greater to $2,000 where equipment installation requires construction are subject to New Jersey’s prevailing wage law (N.J.S.A. 34:1B-5.1) and affirmative action requirements (N.J.S.A. 34:1B-5.4).
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Bonuses
  • As a commitment and in support of the Authority’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, the Program supports projects that are in distressed areas and underrepresented ownership groups. Applicants are eligible for award bonuses for each of the following areas:

Stackable 5% Bonuses:

  • Equipment located, installed, and used in an Opportunity Zone Eligible Census Tract
  • Certified Woman, Minority, and Veteran Owned Businesses (“WMVB”)
  • At least one Collective Bargaining Agreement in place.
  • Manufacturers with fifty (50) or less FTE’s

Stackable 10% Bonuses:

–Purchase of equipment that is manufactured and/or assembled in New Jersey.

Application Submission and Review Process

Complete applications will be accepted on a rolling grant application basis with priority given to new applicants who have not previously or will not be awarded grants under Phase 1 or Phase 2 (based on EIN) during the initial two-week application period. Following this period, all eligible businesses will have the opportunity to apply for funding, subject to available resources. The application window will remain open until all funds are awarded/exhausted.

Applicant companies may submit a single application for multiple pieces of equipment. At the sole discretion of the Authority, staff may ask for clarification of the information included in the application, including but not limited to narrative responses, supporting documentation, and attachments. Applicants will have 14 calendar days thereafter to provide a response to the staff’s request and provide missing or incomplete documents, if any.

Grant Amount 

Grant awards will be 30% – 50% of eligible project costs (depending on stackable bonuses and number of employees), with a minimum award amount of $7,500 and a maximum award amount of $250,000.

Small businesses with 100 or less Full Time Equivalent employees (FTE) will receive higher award percentages. Companies with 100 FTEs or less are capped at 50% of the award. Companies with employees over 100 FTE are capped at 40% of the award. Applicant companies submitting multiple project applications with the total aggregated project cost of at least $25,000 may not exceed an award amount of $250,000.

Grant Reimbursement Award and Agreement

Approved Applicants (Grantees) must order/purchase the specified equipment within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the Closing Agreement. Following approval, Grantees will have 12 months from the effective date of the Closing Agreement to deliver and install the equipment. Grantees may apply for up to two 6-month extensions due to unforeseen delays.

The grant award will be issued as one single disbursement after proof of equipment delivery and installation is provided. If an Applicant is eligible for multiple pieces of equipment, they must have all equipment delivered and installed before they submit for reimbursement. An Applicant does not have to acquire all eligible pieces of equipment in their approval letter and may submit for reimbursement only for what they decided to acquire. All disbursements are subject to availability of funding.

An Applicant does not have to acquire all eligible pieces of equipment in their approval letter in order to be reimbursed. An Applicant may submit for reimbursement only for what they decided to acquire.

  • Changes to equipment: The Program prohibits additions or changes to equipment that were not listed in the original application submission. However, changes to equipment of the same nature as that originally requested are permissible. For example, if the applicant applied for an Aaron Mixer 1.0 and want to purchase a White Mountain Mixer 2.0, that would be acceptable. However, if the applicant applied for a Mixer and now requests to purchase a printer, that would not be acceptable.
  • Changes to vendors: The Program allows Applicants to change the purchase vendor, including purchasing from a non-NJ manufacturer. Note: this may affect the loss of a bonus if the original purchase was from a New Jersey manufacturer.
  • Changes to award amount: The award amount will not be increased for any changes or price increases. However, the award may be adjusted downward based on the final amount paid.

Recapture Provision

If, in any tax period within the first 3 years of executed grant agreement, the company decides to leave the State or move the approved equipment out of the State, the Authority will impose a scaled recapture of the full amount of the award based on the scale below:

Moves out of State withinRecapture Percentage of the Face Value
1 year of executed grant agreement100%
2 years of executed grant agreement60%
3 years of executed grant agreement30%

Fees

A non-refundable fee of $1,000 is due at the time of application submission.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Phase 3 – New Jersey Manufacturing Vouchers Program is available at https://www.njeda.gov/mvp3/.

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to njmvp@njeda.gov .

Funding for this grant is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions including grant awards by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.

Click here for full PDF

Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program Phase Two

Notice of Funding Availability (Updated on February 5, 2025, originally posted on January 31, 2025)

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the reopening of the pilot Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program (“Program”) on February 7, 2025, at 10:00am EST. Applications will be accepted until all funds are fully awarded.

The reopening of the Program will make available a minimum of $6,000,000 in grant funding through a rolling application process to eligible for-profit and non-profit entities to fund capital real estate development projects that revitalize the City of Atlantic City from the COVID-19 pandemic by providing support up to 50% of the costs for capital projects located within Atlantic City with a minimum award of $250,000 and the maximum award of $2.5 million.

A fee of $1,00 is required at the time of application. The application can be accessed online at Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program – Phase Two.

español (Spanish)
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, los servicios de asistencia lingüística, gratuitos, están disponibles para usted enviando un correo electrónico a languagehelp@njeda.com.

اللغة (Arabic)
تنبيه: إذا كنت تتحدث  اللغة العربية، فإن خدمات المساعدة اللغوية مجانية متاحة لك عبر إرسال بريد إلكتروني إلى
languagehelp@njeda.com.

粵語 Traditional Chinese (Cantonese Chinese)
注意:如果您說粵語,可以透過傳送電子郵件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免費獲取語言協助服務。

普通语 Simplified Chinese (Mandarin Chinese)
注意:如果您说普通语,可以通过发送电子邮件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免费获取语言协助服务。

ગુજરાતી (Gujarati)
ધ્યાન આપો: જો તમે ગુજરાતી બોલતા હોય તો, તમારા માટે languagehelp@njeda.com પર ઈ-મેઈલ કરવાથી ભાષા સહાય સેવાઓ મફતામાં ઉપલબ્ધ છે. 

हिंदी (Hindi)
ध्यान दें: यदि आप हिंदी बोलते हैं, तो languagehelp@njpa.com पर ईमेल द्वारा, आप के लिए नि:शुल्क भाषा सहायता सेवाएं उपलब्ध हैं।

italiano (Italian)
ATTENZIONE: se parla italiano, può usufruire gratuitamente di servizi di assistenza linguistica scrivendo all’indirizzo languagehelp@njeda.com

한국어 (Korean)
알림: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스가 무료로 이메일 languagehelp@njeda.com을 통해 제공됩니다.

po polsku (Polish)
UWAGA: Jeśli mówisz po polsku, możesz uzyskać pomoc tłumacza bezpłatnie wysyłając e-mail pod adres languagehelp@njeda.com.

português (Portuguese)
ATENÇÃO: se você falar português, oferecemos serviços de apoio de idioma gratuitos. Envie um e-mail para languagehelp@njeda.com.

Tagalog
ATTENTION: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, magagamit mo ang libreng mga serbisyong tulong sa wika sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa languagehelp@njeda.com.

Purpose and Overview

As the New Jersey economy continues to rebound in the wake of COVID-19, catalytic investments into distressed cities remains essential for jumpstarting local economies and promoting strong, resilient, and equitable economic recovery efforts to advance place-based economic development initiatives. Atlantic City continues to grapple with persistent economic challenges, including high unemployment rates, limited access to essential amenities such as quality food options, a shortage of class A office spaces, and an inability to access State incentives available to other municipalities.

The Program will be focused on ensuring that communities are directly supported by ensuring the project addresses the negative impact of COVID-19 and contributes to Atlantic City’s revitalization. The Program is designed to invest in real estate development projects in Atlantic City that demonstrate an ability to cultivate the environment and neighborhoods necessary to attract and retain a local workforce, enable business creation and tourism, enhance downtown vitality through small business support efforts, support clean and safe initiatives, address food insecurity issues, and buttress social impact supports for the Atlantic City community at large. Grant funding will improve investment in communities by working to activate underutilized, distressed, or vacant land for projects in order to promote equitable economic growth and community wealth building in Atlantic City.

The reopening of the Program will continue to facilitate Atlantic City’s effective utilization of allocated funds for community-driven capital projects by proactively addressing the negative economic impacts of the pandemic by investing in projects that demonstrate an ability to cultivate the environment and neighborhoods. The reopening of the Program will continue to attract and retain a local workforce, enable business creation and tourism, enhance downtown vitality through small business support efforts, support clean and safe initiatives, address food insecurity issues, and buttress social impact supports for the community at large.

Program Details

The reopening of the Program will maintain its focus on directly supporting communities by ensuring that project address the negative impact of COVID-19 and contributes to Atlantic City’s revitalization. The Program supports real estate development, specifically capital projects (“Project”) in the form of grants, to support rehabilitation or new construction, as well as other associated development costs with a minimum grant award of $1 million and up to a maximum award of $2.5 million in grant funding to one Project.

These capital projects must directly support Atlantic City neighborhoods and communities in order to increase the downtown vitality, public space utilization, foot traffic, and overall economic prosperity in Atlantic City and may include either:

  • Public infrastructure improvements that may support the completion of the project; or
  • Capital construction projects that renovate or restore a vacant or partially vacant (at time of application and up to approval) building.

NOTE: New construction projects are no longer eligible to receive funding under this Program.

Funding Source

The Program will utilize the remaining $2,266,726.29 funds provided through the American Rescue Plan (“ARP”), Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“SLFRF”), appropriated for “Atlantic City Initiatives” in the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Act (P.L. 2023, c. 74). An additional $1 million has been appropriated as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 SLFRF process for the Atlantic City Initiatives which brings the total amount of funding to $3,266,726.29. Due to a withdrawal of an awardee and the reallocation of $682,687 from the Activation, Revitalization and Transformation (A.R.T.) – Atlantic City (Real Estate Grant Program) to the Reopening of the Atlantic City Revitalization Program, the total amount of funding available for the Program is a minimum of $6,000,000.

NOTE: The total funding and potential award amount are based upon current information about funding availability; NJEDA reserves the right to increase or decrease the total funding, the award amount and number of awards at the discretion of the Authority.


Eligibility

Eligible applicants (“Applicant” or “Developer Entity”) are for-profit or non-profit entities who are responsible for overseeing a real estate development project and coordinating the activities related to the project, including, but not limited to, project design, project financing, and permitting and local approvals.

NOTE: A real estate holding company or other special purpose entity that exists solely to own property or a real estate project is not eligible. Any city, State, or county entity and any colleges or universities are not eligible to apply for any support from the Program.

To be eligible for the Program, the Applicant must:

  • Be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection prior to approval.
  • Provide a current tax clearance certificate prior to approval to demonstrate the applicant is in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation, unless the applicant is not required to register with the Division of Taxation.

Applying entities (per EIN) cannot have more than 100 full time jobs at time of application as per their last WR30 filed or any other documentation necessary to determine eligibility.

To be eligible, the applicant must demonstrate proof that the remaining amount of funding needed is secured prior to approval. Secured means the applicant has provided an executed grant agreement, committed, and executed loan agreements, or bank/financial institution statement to verify funds are available. This is to ensure that Federal timing requirements can be met.

Eligible Uses

Grant funding may only be used for the following types of real estate projects located in Atlantic City:

  • Commercial project must address a community need listed in the “Local impact considerations” described below (100% residential is not eligible but mixed-used construction is eligible; must have at least 20% of the total square footage of the building dedicated to a commercial use).
  • Renovation or restoration of a vacant or partially vacant building in need of repair (if the project consists of vacant space or partially vacant it would have to be at time of application and up to approval).
  • Projects that address at least one “Local impact consideration” as identified below and within Atlantic City.
  • Projects may include public infrastructure improvements that are necessary to complement or complete the Project.

Additional Project Requirements and Restrictions:

  • All Project costs (soft and hard construction costs – no operating costs) can be included and may include predevelopment projects costs associated to the Project.
  • The developer fee cannot exceed 8% of total Project costs.
  • Contingencies of total Project costs cannot exceed 10% of hard Project costs and 5% of soft Project costs. The Grant amount shall not increase after approval due to contingencies.
  • All Projects must be fully completed by the end of calendar year 2026 (as per US Treasury deadlines). Grants will be subject to federal Duplication of Benefits requirements.
  • A cost reasonableness analysis will be completed prior to any Project being approved.
  • Funding shall be subject to compliance with New Jersey prevailing wage law and other labor standards requirements. Other State requirements which may be applicable will depend on Project details and funding amounts, including New Jersey Executive Order 215 of 1989 regarding the requirement for environmental assessments.

Ineligible Uses

This Program is not available for:

  • Any previous entity (EIN) previously awarded a grant under Phase 1 of this program.
  • Any awardee with a fully executed Grant Agreement for the Real Estate Grant under the NJEDA’s Activation Revitalization Transformation (ART) Program.
  • New construction projects and sole acquisitions project. (New construction was allowed in the previous version of this grant program but due to the limited time left to expend Federal funds, new construction is now ineligible.)
  • Projects that have started construction. Construction, including demolition and remediation, cannot start until approval.
  • Real estate holding companies or other special purpose entities that exist solely to own property or a real estate project.
  • Any city, State, or county entity and any state colleges or universities.

Project Eligibility Considerations

As a federally funded Program meant to mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19, applicants must demonstrate how the Project will benefit the community.

All Applicants must certify to the following requirements at the time of application, as applicable:

  • COVID Impact: The Project is responsive to the negative public health and/or economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and complies with all the ARP program requirements.
  • Capacity: The Applicant has experience implementing at least three similar scope and size projects (similar in budget size and scope) and provide documentation. Exceptions to this experience requirement is available only if the Applicant selects supporting “Small Business Efforts” or “Food Insecurity Efforts” as their local impact consideration at time of application, in which case the experience requirement is waived.
  • Long-term Impacts: How the project will have a positive long-term impact in the community or neighborhood where the Project will be located in.
  • Deed Restriction: If the property is owned by the applicant, they must agree to a 5-year deed restriction so that the project use cannot change after the later of their last disbursement or project closeout.
  • Financial Viability: The project will be financially viable and self-sustaining after construction. The applicant is able to operate for the necessary time period pursuant to the 5-year deed restriction.
  • Project Completion: Applicant agrees to meet the U.S. Department of Treasury’s project completion timeline requirement of 12/31/2026. In the event of failure for the construction project to timely complete by this US Treasury deadline, the Applicant further acknowledges that they may be held liable for the recapture of the grant funds they have drawn down or have received.
  • Local Impact Considerations: The Project addresses at least one of the following community initiatives:
    • Small Business Support Efforts – Businesses that are engaged in the following are not eligible for funding: the conduct or purveyance of “adult” (i.e., pornographic, lewd, prurient, obscene or otherwise similarly disreputable) activities, services, products or materials (including nude or semi- nude performances or the sale of sexual aids or devices); any auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of- business” or similar sale; sales by transient merchants, Christmas tree sales or other outdoor storage; cannabis related businesses; casinos; or any activity constituting a nuisance.
    • Clean and Safe Efforts
    • Food Insecurity Efforts
    • Downtown Vitality Efforts (all projects must be located from Sunset Avenue, Fairmount Avenue, Baltic Avenue to the boardwalk throughout Atlantic City).
    • Job and Office Space Creation

U.S. Treasury Reporting: If requested by the Authority, the Applicant will cooperate to provide the U.S. Department of the Treasury with relevant information for reporting of all Project expenditures exceeding $1 million, as necessary. Specifically, all applications shall provide a narrative on how the Project will address the impacts of COVID-19 in Atlantic City, and why this capital expenditure is the most appropriate to address the economic harms caused by COVID-19.

Application Submission and Review Process

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through the Program’s online application portal which will remain open until all funds are awarded/exhausted. Applicants are encouraged to ensure all required elements of an application are submitted at time of application. Complete Applications will be awarded on a “first in, first out” basis using the date and time that the Authority received the completed application so that a complete application will proceed to award before an incomplete application received earlier which may go through the cure process outlined below.

The Authority will perform a review of applications in the order that they are received. At the sole discretion of the Authority, staff may ask for cures and clarifications of the information included in the application, including but not limited to narrative responses, supporting documentation, and attachments. Applicants will have 15 business days from the date of the staff’s email to provide the requested information and submit any missing and/or incomplete documents. Applicant’s responses to the staff’s requests will be reviewed in the order they are received. Failure to respond to the request within the same 15-business day period will result in the application being deemed administratively withdrawn. If an applicant fails to meet eligibility requirements as described above, the application may be declined from the program. Applicants have the ability to withdraw from the application process at any time.

Applicants must complete all required application questions fully, and upload all required PDF document attachments which includes, but it not limited to, the following:

  1. Evidence of ownership or site control resulting in ownership is required at time of application. Applicant (on its own or through a wholly owned special purpose entity) must provide a deed, closing documents (HUD-1 or proof site was purchased), executed purchase and sale agreement, any/all of which must be fully signed by both seller and purchaser/applicant prior to the applicant’s application date (if haven’t closed then agreement must demonstrate applicant can close within 60 days of application date and will have to provide a deed prior to executing their grant agreement);
  2. Project description and overview of overall Project, related costs, and the proposed future use, describing the property/building(s) current and future state (i.e., vacant or partially vacant, abandoned, code violations, recent uses, any local, state, or federal historic designation/eligibility, brownfield site, location within designated redevelopment area, etc.); current or planned development/redevelopment efforts in the area proximate to the Project location;
  3. Specify which Local Impact Considerations, detailed above, the Project addresses and describe the need for this Project in the community and how the Project benefits Atlantic City as a whole, the anticipated economic and local impact to the community, the development objectives, the projected jobs creation, the anticipated local impacts including possible projected increase in pedestrian traffic and the public access;
  4. Explanation of how the Project is addressing a negative impact to Atlantic City as a result of COVID-19;
  5. Project location must be located within Atlantic City;
  6. Provide a narrative (and documents as may be applicable) describing the viability/feasibility of the proposed project including current zoning status, local supports, identification of possible complexities or challenges with proceeding, and provide preliminary Project budget and funding plan, which shall include an Authority source and uses template;
  7. Project development timeline/implementation schedule indicating readiness to proceed on the project and for the future supplemental use. Must also demonstrate that the project will be completed prior to 12/31/26;
  8. Applicant’s formation and organizational documentation and/or authorizing documentation of the applicant;
  9. Narrative and documentation of previous project experience (if applicable) and capacity to undertake and complete the Project by providing a description and providing documentation of three similar projects (in scope and budget size) to the proposed Project; and
  10. Detailed project budget provided by a NJ certified and registered Public Works contractor, including all Project costs from pre-development and construction to close out and Certificate of Occupancy. All contracts of work, equipment installation must include NJ Prevailing Wage Rates.
  11. Applicants must provide documentation as proof they have fully secured their other 50% of funding prior to approval.

Applicants must provide as much detail as possible regarding the Project steps involved, Project budget, community impact, and projected timeline for the Project from start to finish to show how the Grant funds will be used.

Grant Amount

Grant awards will be up to 50% of total Project costs (hard and soft construction costs). Minimum award amount of $250,000 and maximum award amount of $2.5 million. There will be one award granted per EIN.

Grant Agreement and Funding Disbursements

The Authority will enter into a Grant Agreement solely with the approved Administrator applicant, and the applicant who will be responsible for assuring the compliance of the terms and conditions of the Grant Agreement, New Jersey prevailing wage law and other labor standards requirements. Compliance with additional State requirements may be applicable depending on Project details and funding amounts, including, possibly, New Jersey Executive Order 215 of 1989 regarding the requirement for environmental assessments.

To ensure the grant is used properly and the community receives the benefit, the Grant Agreement will also include a provision that the Authority will ensure the end project use is maintained and not sold for at least 5 years after the project is completed. A 5-year deed restriction on the property will be required to be filed utilizing the Authority’s required restriction language. The deed restriction will be released by the Authority after 5 years from final payment and completion of the Project closeout.

If the Project is not completed, the Awardee will have to repay the amount of funds disbursed to them.

The Authority will disburse grants only to the applicant after the execution of the grant agreement. Disbursement of Grant funding will be based on applicant’s requested drawdowns, which is calculated based upon expected contract costs or expended costs after approval with documentation of uses (such as AIA documents, contract payments for services providing during construction, and paid invoices related to the Project).

The Authority will allow for progressive drawdowns on the grant funds to support progressive project costs ($50,000 minimum on all requests unless it’s the final request) and such requests do not need to be pro-rata reimbursements based on actual costs incurred.

Staff will perform random site visits and will hold the final disbursement of 10% of the total award until the Project closeout is completed. Staff may also request any other support or documentation as needed for drawdowns.
The applicant must submit a Project close out request prior to the last disbursement of 10% of the awarded grant. The Project close out request, must include, but is not limited to, all necessary information to evidence completion of the project and, when applicable, a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. Once received, staff will perform a site visit to confirm and document the completed Project (including through photographs).

Fees

A non-refundable fee of $1,000 is due at time of application submission and may be paid by credit card only.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program is available at
Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program – Phase Two.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Authority staff prior to submitting an applicant to address any question or concerns. Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability and the application process should be submitted to ACrevitalization@njeda.gov.

Funding for this grant is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/ ; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions including grant awards by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.

Click Here for PDF

(Updated on January 10, 2025, originally published on January 3, 2025)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will be administering the New Jersey Founders & Funders (“F&F”) All-Stars Event and Pilot Grant Program (the “Program”). This Program will be offered in two parts: (1) a 2025 All-Stars Event pitch competition (“2025 All-Stars Event”); and (2) a Pilot Grant Program (“Grant”).

NJEDA will begin accepting registrations for the F&F 2025 All-Stars Event pitch competition on Friday, January 10, 2025 at 10:00 am EST.  Eligible registrants for the 2025 All-Stars Event pitch competition must have participated in past F&F events from 2017 – 2024 and meet all Program eligibility criteria detailed below. There is no registration fee required for the 2025 All-Stars Event.

Following the 2025 All-Stars Event, the NJEDA will accept applications for the competitive Grant. NJEDA will issue another Notice of Funding Availability that will specify application dates. There will be a $500 non-refundable Grant application fee required at the time of application.

The 2025 All-Stars Event registration form, and subsequently, the Grant application may be accessed at: NJ Founders & Funders – NJEDA.

The Program will make available a $100,000 Grant to one eligible applicant based on the scoring of the final pitch competition during the 2025 All-Stars Event and the additional Grant eligibility detailed below.

Purpose and Program Overview

New Jersey F&F is an ecosystem building event designed to advance the State’s innovation landscape by connecting early-stage companies with investors through personalized one-on-one meetings. Organized twice a year, these events aim to connect high-growth companies with angel and venture capital investors in various industries, including life sciences, finance, technology, and clean energy.

Since its launch in June 2014, F&F has grown significantly over the years, attracting over 400 companies and more than 250 investors across 16 events. Since its inception, the events have  facilitated nearly 3,000 formal meetings and innumerable informal conversations, fostering valuable connections and partnerships. Notably, over 50% of the participating companies have been diverse or women-led businesses, reflecting the event’s commitment to inclusivity.

This Program represents an exciting opportunity for eligible startups that have previously participated in F&F events between 2017 and 2024. Unlike standard F&F events, which feature up to twelve 10-minute pitch sessions where companies showcase their ideas to potential investors, this Program is offered in two (2) parts:

  • First, the 2025 All-Stars Event, which is a two round pitch competition open exclusively to past F&F participants that meet all the eligibility requirements detailed below. The 2025 All-Stars Event will also include networking opportunities with innovation ecosystem stakeholders.
  • Second, the competitive Pilot Grant Program, which will make available a grant in the amount of $100,000 to one (1) eligible applicant.

Funding

The Grant funding of $100,000 will be provided from the New Jersey Innovation Evergreen Fund through the Economic Recovery Fund pursuant to N.J.S.A. 34:1B-7.13(a)13. The potential award amount is based upon current information and is subject to funding availability. NJEDA reserves the right to increase the funding amount and number of grant awards should additional funds become available.

2025 All-Stars Event

Eligible Registrants

Participation in the 2025 All-Stars Event is limited to the first 30 eligible registrants. Eligible registrants must meet the following eligibility requirements and provide evidence in support of these requirements upon registration submission:

  • The registrant is registered to do business in New Jersey, to be confirmed by submission of a valid New Jersey Business Registration Certificate or valid New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate at time of registration submission.  
  • The registrant submits a one-to-two page executive summary on the business (any format).
  • The registrant has participated in a prior NJ F&F Events between Spring 2017 and Fall 2024, to be confirmed by Authority staff. 
  • The registrant maintains a place of business in New Jersey, to be confirmed by the submission of a lease agreement, deed, co-working agreement, or equivalent.  
  • 50% or more of the registrant’s U.S.-based full-time W2 employees reside in or fill a position in New Jersey, or 50% or more of the wages paid to the registrant’s U.S.-based full-time W2 employees are received by employees that reside in or fill a position in New Jersey. This requirement will be confirmed by the registrant’s submission of a satisfactorily completed employee log. 
  •  The registrant has raised at least $1,000,000 in third-party capital since inception, to be confirmed by the submission of executed stock purchase agreements, capitalization table, or equivalent documentation.

Authority staff will review registrations in the order they are received for completeness and eligibility. If a registration is incomplete or unclear, the Authority staff will require the registrant to provide missing information within 10 business days.  This cure and clarification period will not affect the order in which the registration was received.

Authority staff will inform all registrants about their ability to participate in the 2025 All-Stars Event at the conclusion of the review period. Should any approved registrant drop out, attendance will be offered to the next eligible company in order of completed registration.

2025 All-Stars Event – Pitch Competition

NJEDA will accept the first 30 eligible registrants to the 2025 All-Stars Event. All eligible registrants may participate in Round One of the  pitch competition.

Round One

The Authority will organize one-on-one meetings with each registrant-company and their matched investor(s). Up to two company representatives will present their 10 minute pitch to the investor(s). Each investor will score the company based on the scoring rubric provided below.

Once all Round One one-on-one meetings are complete, each company’s scores will be averaged and ranked to identify the three highest average scoring companies. Only the three highest ranking companies from Round One will have an opportunity to pitch to the non-Authority attendees during Round Two.

Round Two

The three highest average scoring companies from Round One will be evaluated and scored on their pitch by the 2025 All-Stars Event audience using the same scoring rubric used in Round One.

The company receiving the highest average score from Round Two will be declared the winner of the pitch competition and will be eligible to apply for a Grant in the amount of $100,000.

2025 All-Stars Event – Scoring Rubric

Each company pitch will receive a score on a scale of 5 to 25 points based on the five (5) scoring criteria, each with equal weight. At the conclusion of each round, the company’s scores will be averaged and ranked against other participating companies. 

  • Strength of Team– Evaluation of the team’s relevant experience, highlighting the presence of serial entrepreneurs and their demonstrated vision and ability to scale successful companies. (1 to 5 points)
  • Product Market Fit and Traction– Assessment of the company’s understanding of the target market customer and demand for the company’s product among its target market, as evidenced by successful product development, pilot contracts, clinical trials, or sales growth. (1 to 5 points)
  • Scalability and Target Market Size– Analysis of the addressable target market size and the scalability of the product or service, assessing the likelihood the company will scale into $100M+ in revenues and/or exit through a successful IPO or acquisition. (1 to 5 points)
  • Competitive Advantage– Examination of competitive advantages that set it apart from existing market solutions and competitors, while clearly articulating the problem being addressed and presenting an effective solution. (1 to 5 points)
  • Capital Efficiency– Assessment of capital efficiency and financial sustainability, including cash flow projections and runway, along with the company’s track record in raising financing rounds. (1 to 5 points)

In the event two or more companies have the same score during either Round One or Round Two and a tiebreaker is needed to determine which company(ies) advance, a sixth criteria will be applied to determine the finalist(s). The tiebreaker is:

  • Capital Commitment– The respondent’s likeliness to invest capital into the company based on their assessment of the company’s potential for returns. (1 to 5 points)

Pilot Grant Program Application

Eligible Applicants

Grant applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements at the time of application submission, and demonstrate them as follows:

  • The applicant registered for, and attended, the 2025 All-Stars Event, to be confirmed by Authority staff.
  • The applicant received the highest score from Round Two compared to all other eligible applicants; to be confirmed by Authority staff.
  • 50% or more of the applicant’s U.S.-based full-time W2 employees must reside in or fill a position in the State, or 50% or more of the wages paid to the applicant’s U.S.-based full-time W2 employees must be received by employees that reside in or fill a position in the State; this information to be confirmed by a Federal Form 941 or NJ-WR30 form in addition to a signed employee log and/or equivalent documentation. 
  • The applicant maintains a place of business in the State, to be confirmed by the submission of a lease, deed, co-working agreement, or equivalent. 
  • The applicant previously raised at least $1M of third-party capital since inception, to be confirmed by executed stock purchase agreements, capitalization table, or equivalent documentation. 

In addition, applicants must be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (“NJDOL”) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”). A valid New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate must be provided prior to application approval to demonstrate the applicant is registered to do business in New Jersey and in substantial good standing with the NJ Division of Taxation.

Cure or clarification submissions will be established in the forthcoming Notice of Funding Availability.

Eligible Uses

Grantee can use the Pilot Grant Program funds for company working capital only. Grantee is prohibited from using the Grant to fund activities, such as construction, renovation, or equipment installation, that would trigger compliance with New Jersey prevailing wage requirements.

Grant Amount

One (1) grant in the amount of $100,000 will be awarded.

Grant Disbursement

Upon execution of the Grant Agreement with the sole grant awardee of the Program, the $100,000 grant amount will be disbursed in full.

Post-Closing Compliance

There will be a three-year compliance period following award disbursement where recipients are required to submit annual reports confirming they remain in compliance with the Grant Agreement terms. The awardee is required to submit annual compliance reports to the NJEDA pursuant to the Grant Agreement.

Each annual report must include supporting documentation to demonstrate that:

  • 50% or more of the grantee’s U.S.-based full-time W2 employees reside in, or fill a position in the State, or 50% or more of the wages paid to the grantee’s U.S.-based full-time W2 employees are received by employees that reside in, or fill a position in the State; this information is to be confirmed by a Federal Form 941 or NJ-WR30 form in addition to a, signed employee log, and/or equivalent documentation.  
  • The grantee maintains a place of business in the State, to be confirmed by the submission of a lease, deed, co-working agreement, or equivalent.  

NJEDA will provide a one-year grace period for the grantee to address any compliance issues, including failure to submit an annual report. If the grantee does not resolve all compliance  issues within the one-year grace period, the grantee may be required to refund the full amount of the grant to the NJEDA. The NJEDA may reduce this amount by one-third for each year the grantee has remained in compliance.

Fees   

A $500 non-refundable Pilot Grant Program application fee is required at the time of application submission.

Additional Requirements and Information

Comprehensive information about the New Jersey Founders & Funders Program is available at NJ Founders & Funders – NJEDA

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to NJFoundersFunders@njeda.gov.

Funding for this grant is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions including  grant awards by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.

Click here for original PDF

Click here for updated PDF

Funding for this grant is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions including grant awards by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.


[1] FDC ranking available at https://www.njeda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Food-Desert-Communities-Designation-Final-2-9-22.pdf

[2] List of USDA FNS online SNAP authorized retailers in New Jersey can be found through the NJ Department of Human Services at NJ SNAP | Using Your Benefits

[3] Map of NJEDA-designated FDCs available at New Jersey Food Deserts as approved by the NJEDA on 2/9/2022 (arcgis.com)

[4] FDC ranking available at https://www.njeda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Food-Desert-Communities-Designation-Final-2-9-22.pdf

Click here for full PDF


[1] FDC ranking available at https://www.njeda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Food-Desert-Communities-Designation-Final-2-9-22.pdf

[2] List of USDA FNS online SNAP authorized retailers in New Jersey can be found through the NJ Department of Human Services at NJ SNAP | Using Your Benefits

[3] Map of NJEDA-designated FDCs available at New Jersey Food Deserts as approved by the NJEDA on 2/9/2022 (arcgis.com)

[4] FDC ranking available at https://www.njeda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Food-Desert-Communities-Designation-Final-2-9-22.pdf

Offshore Wind Applied Research Administration Grant Challenge (Published on October 28, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the competitive Offshore Wind (“OSW”) Applied Research Administration Grant Challenge pilot (“Grant Challenge”) on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. EST.

Applications will be accepted during a competitive application round through the Grant Challenge’s application portal, which will close on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EST. There will be no application fee for this Grant Challenge.

The application can be accessed at: https://www.njeda.gov/oswgrantchallenge/ .

Purpose and Overview

The Grant Challenge will make available one (1) grant of $6,350,000 to an eligible nonprofit entity as a Grant Administrator (“Administrator”) to develop and autonomously manage a Sub-Grant Program available to New Jersey universities and colleges to conduct offshore wind related applied research and tech transfer activities over a five-year period.  

The Sub-Grant Program will leverage the deep OSW expertise and capacity for tech transfer at New Jersey’s higher education institutions and help commercialize technologies and innovative solutions that establish the State as a national leader in Offshore Wind Industry. The Grant Challenge will be awarded to the applicant with the highest overall score based on the scoring criteria detailed below.

Funding for the Challenge Grant

The Grant Challenge will utilize $6,350,000 of the $10 million received through grant agreements with the New Jersey Department of Treasury for Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations. The funds consist of $2,204,632 provisioned through the Treasury Agreement dated February 24, 2023, and a total of $4,145,368 provisioned through the Treasury Agreement dated February 26, 2024, and deposited into the Economic Recovery Fund (“ERF”).

The $6,350,000 award amount is based upon current information about funding availability. NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount, should additional funding become available.

Eligible Administrator Applicants   

Eligible Administrator Applicants are non-profit entities with direct experience overseeing and administering a minimum of one (1) prior offshore wind research and development (“R&D”) solicitation. Universities and colleges located in New Jersey are not eligible to apply for the Grant Challenge, as they are the eligible primary applicant pool for awards through the Sub-Grant Program.

In addition, Administrator Applicants must be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (“NJDOL”) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) at the time of approval.  Administrator Applicants are required to provide a current tax clearance certificate when the grant agreement is executed to demonstrate they are in good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation and properly registered to do business in New Jersey, unless the Administrator Applicants are not required to register with the Division of Taxation.

Eligible Uses of Funding

Eligible uses of grant funding include:

  • Costs incurred by the Administrator for:
    • Planning, developing, and managing competitive solicitations for the Sub-Grant ProgramScoring and awarding proposals received for the Sub-Grant Program.
    • Scoring and awarding proposals received for the Sub-Grant Program.
    • Managing awards through the Sub-Grant Program, including legal agreements, compliance, data, milestones, and budgets, and reporting to NJEDA.
  • Costs for the Sub-Grant awards, which will cover research-related expenses incurred by New Jersey universities or colleges awarded through the Sub-Grant Program.
    • Any expenditures that do not comply with the above will be required to be returned by the Administrator to NJEDA at the end of the Grant Agreement term.
    • The following additional stipulations and restrictions are also applicable for the Grant Challenge funding:

For the Grant Administrator

  • No more than twelve percent (12%) of the grant, or $762,200 of the $6,350,000 funding available, can be used for the Administrator’s direct and indirect costs. The remaining eighty-eight percent (88%) of the grant, or $5,588,000, must go to awardees of the Sub-Grant Program. Should the applicant propose an Administrator direct and indirect cost less than 12%, the remaining funding will be allocated for the Sub-Grant Program.
  • The Administrator cannot use its funding for capital costs.
  • Staff from New Jersey universities or colleges who have applied for a Sub-Grant Program solicitation may not participate in the proposal evaluation committee(s) for that particular solicitation and the Administrator must ensure any other conflicts of interest are mitigated for the funding awarded through the Sub-Grant Program.
  • Within thirty (30) calendar days after the Grant Challenge grant agreement term expires, any unspent funds or disallowed costs must be returned by the Administrator to NJEDA.

For the Sub-Grantee

  • NJEDA will not require tax clearance or due diligence checks with other New Jersey agencies for Sub-Grant awardees.
  • Capital costs are allowable costs for research projects awarded through the Sub-Grant Program. Sub-Grantees who identify capital costs as an expected use of funding will be required to acknowledge as part of their application for the Sub-Grant Program that they will be subject to New Jersey labor compliance laws and regulations, including New Jersey affirmative action and prevailing wage, and New Jersey Contractor Registration and that they may be audited.
  • Research project proposals submitted for the Sub-Grant Program must at a minimum:
    • Focus on one or more of the following research priority areas:
      • Climate-smart modeling for high performance wind farms;
      • Technological solutions for environmental impact assessments;
      • OSW transmission and grid integration;
      • Power-to-X and energy storage solutions;
      • OSW component design; and/or
      • other OSW research priority areas subject to approval by NJEDA staff.
    • Demonstrate a connection to potential commercialization or innovation in technology, construction and operations practices, or other practices that advance OSW development.
    • Include a holistic timeline for the research project that does not exceed a period of three years and is no less than three months from project start to end.
    • Include a budget proposal that features clearly defined payment milestones tied to the requested Sub-Grant award amount. The budget milestones must include specific research activities and outcomes throughout the duration of the project with specific verification method(s) outlined to confirm the milestone has been met.
    • Agree to present and share research data and findings with the NJEDA at least once annually while the research project is active, excluding any information that is or will be protected as intellectual property.
    • Submit completed research to be featured on the Research with New Jersey website at: www.researchwithnj.com.

Proposal Scope

As part of the application, Eligible Administrator Applicants must submit proposals that outline compelling plans to successfully accomplish the following:

  1. Solicitation Development and Management
    • Draft Requests for Proposals (“RFPs”) for the Sub-Grant Program, stipulating solicitation scope of work, timelines, project eligibility criteria, scoring and evaluation factors, and other key information.
      • Scoring and evaluation factors must include preference for research projects conducted in collaboration between two or more New Jersey universities and/or colleges.
      • Indirect costs for Sub-grant awards must cap at 12% of the awarded amount.
    • Advertise the Sub-Grant Program solicitations, once public, to New Jersey colleges and universities.
    • Run a minimum of two (2) competitive solicitations to their Sub-Grant Program within five (5) years of receiving the Grant Challenge award and host informational webinars or other activities to ensure prospective applicants are aware of the solicitation opportunity.
    • Respond to Sub-Grant Program application inquiries as appropriate via email and/or through an established questions and answer process during the open proposal submission period. Administrator will develop a “frequently asked questions” document or other supports as needed to facilitate applicants.
  2. Scoring and Award Selection
    • Perform quality control checks on all proposals received for the Sub-Grant Program to ensure that all submitted proposals meet the minimum requirements for consideration and all required documentation has been provided.
    • Organize and facilitate scoring committee(s) for each solicitation topic area. The scoring committee will consist of subject matter and technical experts in the relevant fields. The Administrator will collect confidentiality agreements from each scorer and establish timelines for scoring to be completed; upon completion, the Administrator will rank proposals by averaging each scoring committee expert’s score.
    • Establish a process to select and award the top-scoring proposals.
    • Integrate processes and protocols to ensure bias and conflicts of interest are mitigated for the scoring and selection of Sub-Grant Program awards.
    • Provide NJEDA with access to all data associated with project proposals.
  3. Project Management
    • Manage contract negotiations and enter into contracts with Sub-Grant Program award recipients.
    • Assign members of its staff to manage project awards, keep track of progress against project milestones and deliverables, and process payments.
    • Responsible for the review and payment of invoices for the Sub-Grant Program and ensuring they comply with the Grant Challenge terms and conditions.
    • Submit quarterly reports to the Authority detailing Administrator’s use of grant funds, including the Administrator’s direct and indirect costs as well as disbursement of Sub-Grant funds and any associated deliverables submitted by the Sub-Grantees.
    • For each Sub-Grant research project, Administrator will form an industry advisory board comprised of at least three (3) subject matter experts who can support its commercialization.
    • Conduct monthly check-ins with project award recipients and maintain a public project dashboard on a website that details key project information.
    • Coordinate with Sub-Grant Program award recipients to provide an annual presentation on research projects and research findings to NJEDA and relevant stakeholders.
    • Conduct regular check-ins with NJEDA to provide program updates.

Administrators must provide a detailed Administration Budget using the budget template included within the Grant Challenge application materials. The Administration budget should clearly define any proposed direct and indirect costs. (Please see Application Scoring section below)

Administrator Application Submission and Review Process

Applications will be accepted during a competitive application process through the program’s online application portal, which will be open from Monday, November 4, 2024 at 10 a.m. EST to Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EST. All interested applicants must complete and submit their applications online through this portal by the deadline to be considered for the Grant Challenge award.

After the application window has closed, NJEDA staff will review all applications for completeness and compliance with required documentation and minimum requirements.   Following the completeness review, applicants with missing or incomplete documentation, or requiring additional clarification, will receive an email notification from NJEDA and will have ten (10) business days to cure any deficiencies or provide any needed clarifications, including, but not limited to, submitting any missing or requested documentation.

After the ten (10) business days, any application that is not complete or for which clarification has not been provided, will be deemed incomplete and will not be evaluated or scored. All complete and compliant applications will be evaluated, scored, and ranked by an Evaluation Committee comprised of NJEDA staff.

Scoring of Applications

Applications will be reviewed and scored by an evaluation scoring committee comprised of Authority staff. Applications will be scored on a scale of 1-100 points, with the minimum score required to be considered for an award is 80 points. Applicants whose applications are declined will have the right to appeal within the time period set in the declination letter. All declinations recommended by NJEDA staff that are based on discretionary reasons will be brought to the NJEDA Board for approval.

The Evaluation Committee will review, score, and rank applications based on the following four (4) Scoring Criteria:

  1. Experience developing and administering research solicitations for offshore wind. (Up to 40 points as allocated under the following (a) and (b) subcategories):
    • Possess substantive experience administering R&D competitive funding solicitations to advance OSW technology. (Up to 20 Points)
      • Comprehensive experience and clear ability to execute. (15-20 Points)
      • Moderate experience and ability to execute. (8-14 Points)
      • Minimal experience and ability to execute. (1-7 Points)
    • Detail a compelling and impactful concept for developing a new Sub-Grant Program for New Jersey colleges and universities to conduct applied research that has the potential for commercialization or innovation in technology, construction and operations practices, or other practices that advance offshore wind development in New Jersey. (Up to 20 points)
      • Comprehensive experience and clear ability to execute. (15-20 Points)
      • Moderate experience and ability to execute. (8-14 Points)
      • Minimal experience and ability to execute. (1-7 Points)
      • No experience and evidence of ability to execute. (0 Points)
  2. Approach for engaging subject matter and technical experts to score and select research proposals. (Up to 20 points)
    • Plan for organizing and facilitating scoring committee(s) consisting of subject matter and technical experts to review proposals received for the Sub-Grant Program. (Up to 10 points).
    • Plan for engaging with the OSW industry and subject matter experts to analyze the commercial impact of research projects. (Up to 5 points)
    • Outline a clear strategy for leveraging subject matter experts to align technology innovators, research institutions, project developers, supply chain companies, utilities, government agencies, and other stakeholders towards common R&D objectives. (Up to 5 points)
  3. Approach for project management of research grant awards. (Up to 30 points)
    • Describe a clear and realistic approach to administratively manage contracts, budgets, and disbursements with Sub-Grant Program awardees. (Up to 15 points)
    • Establish robust technical supports for Sub-Grant Program awardees throughout the duration of each research project. (Up to 5 points)
    • Detail a process for tracking Sub-Grant Program research projects against project milestones and deliverables. (Up to 5 points)
    • Detail a clear process for reporting Sub-Grant Program data and outcomes to NJEDA. (Up to 5 points)
  4. Administration Budget. (Up to 10 points)
    • Provides a realistic Administration Budget. Administrators must provide a detailed Administration Budget using the budget template included within the Grant Challenge application materials. The budget should clearly define any proposed direct and indirect costs for the Administrator.  (Up to 10 points)

Grant Amount

One (1) grant in the amount of $6,350,000 will be awarded for the Grant Challenge.

Grant Agreement and Disbursement of Grant Funds

The Authority will enter into a Grant Agreement solely with the approved Administrator who will be responsible for assuring the compliance of the terms and conditions of the Grant Agreement.

Following execution of the Grant Agreement, NJEDA will provide a disbursement equal to the agreed upon amount for the Administrator’s direct and indirect costs. The remaining balance will be disbursed upon the launch of each Sub-Grant Program solicitation, with the disbursement amount equal to the total funding made available through each respective Sub-Grant Program solicitation.

As discussed above under “Eligible Uses of Funding”, any grant expenditures that do not comply with the specified eligible uses of the Grant Challenge funding will be required to be returned to the Authority at the end of the Grant Agreement term.

Fees

No application fees will be charged for this program.

Additional Requirements and Information

Comprehensive information about OSW Applied Research Grant Challenge is available at https://www.njeda.gov/oswgrantchallenge/.

Questions regarding the Grant Challenge may be submitted via email to WindInstitute@njeda.gov by Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EST with the subject line “Questions OSW Applied Research Grant Challenge”. NJEDA will post answers on the OSW Applied Research Grant Challenge website by Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EST.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to check the OSW Applied Research Grant Challenge website prior to submission of the application.

Funding for this grant is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions including grant awards by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.

Click Here for PDF

NJ COOL Program (Amended October 28, 2024; Amended July 15, 2024; Published April 15, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

Amended NOFA (dated October 28th, 2024) reflects the October 9, 2024 NJEDA Board- approved updates to the NJ Cool Pilot Program regarding building eligibility. All other program requirements and information are the same as the initially posted NOFA (April 15, 2024) and previously amended NOFA dated July 15th, 2024.

All updates to the prior NOFA are bolded below:

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications on a rolling, first-come first-served basis for the initially $15,000,000 funded pilot NJ Cool Program (“Program”) on Monday, April 22nd, 2024 at 10:00 AM. The application will remain open until all available funding is reserved or until three (3) years after date of application launch, whichever is sooner. The application can be accessed at njeda.gov/njcool.

The Program will provide grants to retrofit projects in existing commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings that result in a reduction of operating greenhouse gas emissions. The Program will support projects located in the municipalities of the City of Newark (Newark), the Township of Edison (Edison), and the City of Atlantic City (Atlantic City).

Purpose and Overview

The goal of this Program is to reduce operating greenhouse gas emissions from the commercial, industrial, and institutional building sectors in the State by offsetting capital costs of related construction projects for existing buildings. The Program will also allow NJEDA to assess the effectiveness of funding levels and program design for potential future iterations. Overall, the Program intends to accelerate the adoption of building decarbonization systems, technologies, and construction practices within New Jersey.

On January 29, 2018, Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 7 (EO 7), instructing state government agencies to return New Jersey to full participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas

Initiative (RGGI) as quickly as possible. RGGI is a multi-state, market-based program that establishes a regional cap on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the electric power generation sector and therefore allowing for auctioning of emissions rights. Launched in 2005, RGGI was the first mandatory greenhouse gas “cap-and-invest” program in the United States. States use the proceeds from the CO2 allowance auctions to invest in programs to help further reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas pollution, spur clean and renewable energy, and provide rate relief on energy bills. Through its participation in RGGI auctions and fixed price allowance sales held between 2020 and 2022, New Jersey received funding that totaled approximately $372 million. In 2023, the first three quarterly RGGI auctions have thus far resulted in over $131 million in funding to the State.

Per the 2023 New Jersey’s RGGI Strategic Funding Plan, the State will deploy RGGI funds for 2023-2025 within four initiative categories:

1. Promote Blue Carbon in Coastal Habitats.

2. Accelerate Healthy Homes and Building Decarbonization;

3. Catalyze Clean, Equitable Transportation;

4. Strengthen New Jersey’s Forests and Urban Forests.

New Jersey’s RGGI funds allocation is governed by the Global Warming Solutions Fund Act (P.L. 2008, c. 340). By statute, proceeds from auctions are deposited into the Global Warming Solutions Fund. After administration fees are deducted from the pool, NJEDA receives 60% of the remaining funding for programming (focus area: commercial, institutional, and industrial entities). NJ Board of Public Utilities and NJ Department of Environmental Protection each receive 20% of the remaining funding for programming (focus areas, respectively: low income and moderate income residential; and local government, forests, and tidal marshes).

On November 16, 2023, the NJEDA’s Board approved the creation of this pilot NJ Cool Program, which will utilize an initial $15,000,000 funding from the NJEDA’s allocation of the 2023 RGGI auction proceeds. Funding may increase up to $30,000,000, based upon availability of RGGI funds, if application demand exceeds the initial funding allocation. On October 9, 2024, the NJEDA’s Board approved the expansion of the eligibility criteria of the NJ Cool program for the building types that are now eligible for funding. These would now include existing commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings that are classified as select Occupancy or Property Classes.

Per the 2023 RGI Funding Plan regarding Building Decarbonization:

According to the NJDEP’s New Jersey Greenhouse Gas Inventory, buildings currently are the second highest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. These emissions are primarily associated with the combustion of fossil fuels in space and water heating. In addition, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions from refrigeration and air conditioning account for 6% of the State’s greenhouse gas inventory. HFCs are considered a climate “super pollutant” because these greenhouse gases have hundreds to thousands of times the heat trapping power of carbon dioxide (CO2) and are the fastest growing source of greenhouse gases both internationally and in New Jersey.

New Jersey aims to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2006 levels by 50% and then 80%–by 2030 and 2050 respectively. Existing building stock will continue to be a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions without decisive action. It is estimated that 80% of buildings that will be around in 2050 already exist today. Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 316 sets clear near-term targets for building electrification in that by December 31, 2030, 400,000 additional dwelling units and 20,000 additional commercial spaces and/or public facilities statewide will be electrified, and an additional 10 percent of residential units serving households earning less than 80 percent of area median income will be made ready for electrification through the completion of necessary electrical system repairs and upgrades. On the longer term, New Jersey’s 2019 Energy Master Plan’s least cost scenario calls for converting at least 90% of residential and commercial buildings from natural gas to electric appliances by 2050. This past September, Governor Murphy signed New Jersey on to a 25-state coalition that aims to collectively reach 20 million heat pump installations across the coalition by 2030.

Per the 2023 RGI Funding Plan regarding Building Decarbonization:

Cost is a major barrier when upgrading homes and businesses to reduce carbon emissions and transition to low GWP commercial refrigeration systems or chillers. Funding the incremental costs to switch heating fuels and shift to new, low global warming potential (GWP) refrigeration systems is necessary to accelerate the installation of these systems. Since many new refrigeration appliances sold today utilize HFCs and will have an average product lifetime of about 15-20 years, New Jersey has a window of opportunity to incentivize the replacement and retrofit of older systems with those that use low and ultra-low- GWP refrigerants. Additional energy reduction benefits will be realized through this initiative because new refrigeration systems that use low-GWP refrigerants are more energy efficient than existing systems.

Program Details

In accordance with the Building Decarbonization initiative in the 2023 RGGI Funding Plan, the NJ Cool Program will support building decarbonization projects in existing commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings in the state. Grants will be provided to reduce the costs of retrofit construction projects in existing commercial, industrial, and institutional building spaces. Grant awards will cover 50% of eligible project costs up to a maximum award of

$1,000,000 per project (with a minimum award amount of $50,000 per project).

Projects must include switching 75% or more of building space heating loads from existing fossil fuel-based combustion systems to non-combustion heating systems with low to zero direct operating emissions and/or replacing 75% or more of existing high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants used for cooling within the building with lower GWP alternatives. In addition, work that further reduces building operating emissions and/or improves energy efficiency of the building can also be considered eligible costs for partial reimbursement through the grant. However, this emissions reduction/energy efficiency work will not be eligible independently for a grant without fuel switching or refrigerant replacement also occurring as part of the overall project requesting a grant award.

Additional eligible emissions reduction/energy efficiency work are hard costs that include, but are not limited to:

  • Installing on-site renewable energy generation and/or storage systems
  • Replacing gas powered appliances (e.g.: hot water heaters, clothes dryers, kitchen equipment) with electric alternatives
  • Installing building management systems or energy load controls
  • Conducting weatherization or building envelope (e.g.: façade, doors, windows, insulation) upgrades
  • Installing heat recovery equipment
  • Replacing lighting with more efficient equipment and/or controls

If the Applicant is a tenant, the minimum 75% switching requirement for heating load or existing refrigerants will only apply to the portions of the building within the tenant’s lease or the building systems affecting the tenant’s space within the overall building.      

The Program is focused on three communities in the State: Newark, Edison, and Atlantic City. The three communities were selected for the pilot based on the prevalence of Overburdened Communities (OBCs) as defined by the New Jersey Environmental Justice Law, State geographic representation, and commercial electric and gas usage. Per the law, OBCs are Census block groups with at least 35 percent low-income households; or at least 40 percent of the residents identifying as minority or as members of a State recognized tribal community; or at least 40 percent of the households having limited English proficiency. Census block groups with zero population and located immediately adjacent to an OBC are labeled as “adjacent.” OBCs significantly overlap these three municipalities.

Newark, Edison, and Atlantic City also cover three different geographic regions of the state: North, Central, and South Jersey respectively. Per an analysis conducted with the support of NJDEP, the pilot communities are 3 of the top 4 municipalities in the State by commercial electric usage and are 3 of the top 15 municipalities by commercial natural gas usage. Edison and Newark are the top 2 municipalities in the State based on reported HFC facilities. Overall, the three communities have a significant number of commercial properties that will be potential applicants for the Program.

The total RGGI-funded program budget will be $15,000,000 for grant awards

  • $5,000,000 will be initially set aside for each of the three municipality’s projects.  

One year after application is open to the public, initial set asides will expire and all remaining program funding will be open to eligible building projects within the three pilot communities on a first come, first served basis.

Eligibility

1. Applicants may own or lease the building space that will be improved using the grant funding. If the space is leased, the Applicant must provide a certification from the landlord/ building owner, that the proposed project details have been reviewed and approved.

2. The Program is open to existing commercial, industrial, and institutional spaces within the three designated pilot communities of Newark, Edison, and Atlantic City. NJEDA will utilize municipal boundaries for these communities in determining that an Applicant’s property address fits the project location criteria.

3. For purposes of the Program, commercial, industrial, and institutional building spaces are classified per a list of select Occupancy or Property Classes. Occupancy Classes as defined in New Jersey Building Code, Chapter 3, are as follows:

  • Mercantile Group M 
  • Assembly Group A-2 
  • Business Group B

Property Classes as defined in the New Jersey Admin Code are as follows:

  • Class 4A Commercial Property
    • Class 4B Industrial Property
    • Class15A Public School Property
    • Class15B Other School Property
    • Class15C Public Property
    • Class15D Church and Charitable Property
    • Class15E Cemeteries and Graveyards
    • Class15F Other Exempt

Note: The three Occupancy classes and eight Property classes will provide a variety of commercial, industrial, and institutional building uses to inform program design and operation, and to help inform community members of building decarbonization efforts and benefits. It also allows for mixed-use buildings to be included as Occupancy Class can be applied by code to only a portion of a building rather than the entire building.

4. Improvements (i.e., façade replacement, rooftop solar panel installations, or central HVAC equipment replacement, etc.) that result in emissions/energy reduction benefits to other building occupancy uses within a building, in addition to the primary targeted Group M, A-2, or B occupied spaces, are eligible for grant reimbursement.

5. To prevent duplication of benefits, participants in the NJ Clean Energy New Construction Program (Gut Rehab) or Large Energy Users Program are not eligible to participate in the pilot. In addition, the maximum potential grant award will be calculated from total eligible project costs net the amount of any expected incentive payments from state-run or utility energy efficiency programs.

6. Applicant must be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to be eligible for the pilot NJ Cool Program. A current tax clearance certificate will need to be provided prior to application approval to demonstrate the Applicant is properly registered to do business in New Jersey and in substantial good standing with the NJ Division of Taxation. 

Eligible Projects

Project scope must include either, but can include both, of the following:

A. Switching 75% or more of building space heating loads from existing fossil fuel-based combustion systems to non-combustion-based heating systems with low to zero direct operating emissions.

 B. Replacing 75% or more of existing high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants with lower GWP alternatives.

Additional, optional, eligible work that further reduces operating emissions and/or improves energy efficiency of the building, includes but is not limited to:

  • Installing on-site renewable energy generation and/or storage systems 
  • Replacing gas powered appliances (e.g.: hot water heaters, clothes dryers, kitchen equipment) with electric alternatives 
  • Installing building management systems or energy load controls 
  • Conducting weatherization or building envelope (e.g.: façade, doors, windows, insulation) upgrades
  • Installing heat recovery equipment
  • Replacing lighting with more efficient equipment and/or controls

Eligible Uses of Funding

Eligible Project Costs: 

  • Materials, labor, and/or equipment provided by Public Work contractor that are directly related to emissions reductions/energy efficiency improvements or enabling work necessary for proposed emissions reducing/energy efficient building systems to be operational (e.g.: upgrading electric panels, structural improvements for rooftop solar or HVAC systems)
  • Equipment and/or materials procured directly by the Applicant that are directly related to emissions reductions/energy efficiency or enabling work necessary for proposed emissions reducing/energy efficient building systems to be operational

 Ineligible Project Costs:

  • Soft costs: including but not limited to energy audits, design professional services, 3rd party construction management costs, permitting fees, commissioning costs, inspection fees
  • Interior finish improvements and upgrades not related to operating energy/emissions reductions (e.g.: flooring, artwork)
  • Other building system upgrades that are not related to energy/emissions reductions (e.g.: fire sprinklers, security cameras), even if required for overall building code compliance
  • Furniture: non-permanent items (e.g.: desks, chairs, cabinets)
  • Prior energy efficiency/emissions reductions improvements begun or completed before time of application approval
  • New construction, including enlargements or additions to existing buildings that increase overall building square footage
  • Facility or site acquisition
  • Fines incurred because of code or zoning violations during construction project(s) associated with this grant 

NJ Cool grant funding will not reimburse applicants for costs of new fossil fuel-based systems. This includes, but is not limited to, new fossil fuel-based heating systems or new back-up power generation equipment. Applicants are free to install these systems as part of a larger project receiving NJ Cool grant funding, but they will not be considered eligible project costs in the review of the grant application or eligible expenses for grant reimbursement.

All work must be conducted in accordance with NJ prevailing wage and affirmative action requirements.

Grant Amounts

Grant awards will cover 50% of eligible project costs up to a maximum award of $1,000,000 per project (with a minimum award amount of $50,000 per project).

Grant awards will be calculated based on the quoted costs of the eligible project scope. The Program will not provide reimbursement for costs already incurred prior to application approval. 

The maximum potential grant award will be calculated from total eligible project costs net the amount of any expected incentive payments from State-run or utility energy efficiency programs. 

Application Submission and Review Process

Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, first-come first-served.

Applicant submits application to NJEDA, which shall include, among other items:

  • Building address and property information (size, type, occupancy, etc.)
  • Proof of compliance with eligible building occupancy or property classes (use) including, but not limited to, an existing building permit, property tax, certificate of occupancy, or similar documentation 
  • Proof of ownership/proof of owner permission
  • If Applicant leases space, a copy of their lease and a certification from the landlord that they have reviewed and approved the proposed facility improvement(s).
  • If Applicant owns space, a deed, property tax statement, or current mortgage statement from the lender.
  • A description of the proposed project 
  • Photos of the existing building space
  • Valid New Jersey tax clearance certificate 
  • Cost estimate:
    • Quote(s) from contractor(s) that are registered with NJDOL as a Publics Works Registered Contractor with costs consistent with New Jersey State prevailing wage rates
    • Vendor quotes or similar retailer price information for any relevant items to be purchased directly by the Applicant 
  • Estimated project schedule 
  • Requested grant award amount
  • Expected utility/state energy efficiency incentive payments (if applicable)
  • Green building certification being pursued (if applicable) 
  • Projected operating greenhouse gas emissions savings as a result of the project (calculated by a qualified professional) with supporting information and additional documentation as required (historic energy bills, HVAC equipment information, etc.)
    • Qualified professionals include but are not limited to:

-Licensed engineer (NJ state professional engineer or other state’s equivalent)

-Licensed architect (NJ state registered architect or other state’s equivalent) 

-Certified Energy Auditor (CEA certification from the Association of Energy Engineers) 

-Certified Energy Manager (CEM certification from the Association of Energy Engineers)

-Energy Management Professional (EMP certification from the Energy Management Association)

-Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP certification from ASHRAE)

NJEDA staff will review all applications for completeness and eligibility. At the sole discretion of the Authority, NJEDA staff may ask for any necessary clarifications of the information provided in the application, including, but not limited to, responses, documentation, and attachments. Applicants will be given 10 business days to respond to the clarification requests. If at the end of this period, the applicant is non-responsive, the application will be deemed withdrawn.

Grant Agreement

NJEDA will provide an approval letter to the applicant with the maximum potential grant award available for the project. As a condition of accepting the award and before entering into a grant agreement with NJEDA, the Applicant must provide proof of funding for total estimated project costs plus an additional 15% of overall project costs as contingency to allow for potential cost overruns that may arise during construction. NJEDA grant awards will not be adjusted following notice of application approval and the Applicant will be responsible for any additional or unexpected project costs, even if relevant to the eligible project scope.

The Applicant will have two (2) months from notice of application approval with award amount by the Authority to submit proof of funding for the balance of project costs, with the possibility for additional two-month extension(s) at the discretion of the Authority. Proof of funding can include bank account statements, financing agreement, or similar indication of available working capital for the project costs.

Additional financing provided by NJEDA may be used to cover project costs not eligible under the program. Additional financing provided by NJEDA may also be used to cover project costs paid up front by the Applicant prior to submitting for NJ Cool grant reimbursement.    

Upon confirmation of acceptable proof of funding for the balance of project costs from the Applicant, NJEDA will execute a grant agreement with the Applicant for the project. Project construction activity must commence on site within six (6) months of grant agreement execution, or the applicant must demonstrate that permit applications (if required) are pending with relevant building authorities, with the possibility for six-month extension(s) for construction commencement at the discretion of the Authority.  

Applicants will have two (2) years from project construction commencement to achieve project completion, with the possibility for six-month extension(s) at the discretion of the Authority. 

Disbursement of Funding

Maximum eligible grant award will be determined at time of application approval. NJEDA will disburse funds via payments to the Applicant for reimbursement of eligible project costs at a 50% rate in two payment tranches. Up to one half of the maximum eligible grant award will be available for reimbursement when the applicant has paid 50% or more of estimated eligible project costs. The balance of the grant award will be available for disbursement at project completion when all eligible project work is completed and accepted by the Applicant. Reimbursement will be based on submitted proof of project expenses (receipts, contractor invoices, etc.), signed progress/completion documents, and project photos.

NJEDA reserves the right to conduct site visits during and following completion of construction activities to confirm that work is being completed in accordance with eligible uses for the Program and all prevailing wage and affirmative action requirements. Applicants will be responsible for repayment of all disbursed grant funding if they do not at a minimum complete the work required for either:

  • Switching 75% or more of building space heating loads from existing fossil fuel-based combustion systems to non-combustion heating systems with low to zero direct operating emissions; or
  • Replacing 75% or more of existing high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants used for cooling within the building with lower GWP alternatives.

Fees

A non-refundable $1,000 application fee is required at time of application submission, consistent with NJEDA ‘s fee rules, and may be paid by credit card only.

Treatment of Current and Pending Applications Submitted to NJEDA

Staff will review completed Program applications that were submitted prior to the publication of this revised Notice of Funding Availability under the program rules initially approved on November 16, 2023. All applications submitted after the publication of this NOFA shall be reviewed under the revised Program rules as approved by the NJEDA’s Board of Directors on October 9, 2024.

Additional Information

Additional information on the NJ Cool Program may be found at https://www.njeda.gov/njcool/

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to njcool@njeda.gov The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of  “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions including grant awards by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.

Click Here for PDF

Emerging Developers Grant Program (Revised October 24, 2024; Published June 17, 2024)
Notice of Funding Availability

Applications for the Emerging Developers Grant Program will close on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 5:00 PM EST.  All other program specifications will remain the same. 

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“EDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the $20 million pilot Emerging Developers Grant Program (“Program”) on (Monday) June 24, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. EST. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first evaluated basis, or until grant funding is exhausted. The application can be accessed at https://njeda.gov/emerging-developers/.

The Program will provide grants to assist small-scale developers with pre-development soft costs, as outlined below.

Purpose and Background

The Emerging Developer’s Grant Program aims to support small-scale, emerging real estate developers in their pre-development phase. The program is designed to reinforce the principles of an inclusive and equitable economy by providing financial assistance for pre-development soft costs.

Consistent with EDA’s efforts since 2018 to implement Governor Murphy’s Economic Plan, the goal of this pilot Program is to assist communities in creating vibrant and inclusive cities and neighborhoods that build a stronger and fairer New Jersey.

The Program will meet one of the major economic development priorities adopted by the Authority’s Board in December 2021, and laid out in the Governor Murphy’s Economic Plan: “Investing in Communities”. Providing funding to assist emerging development entities as they cultivate their real estate portfolios will foster the vision of providing equitable opportunities in an inclusive economy. This grant should also set the stage for government agencies to understand the importance of supporting emerging developers as they enter a more prominent stage of real estate development and develop a relationship with state entities. This will allow these awardees to grow and eventually become experienced enough to build their portfolio to tap into other state incentives and resources, which may improve the quality of lives while building stronger communities.

Access to capital for small-scale developers in the real estate development industry continues to be a challenge. These barriers are due to predatory lending, excessive carrying costs, and predevelopment expenses a developer may encounter; these predevelopment costs are necessary for the developer to incur before they can seek short term construction financing. These deterrents in the development industry have created financial setbacks and limited portfolios for emerging development entities that do not have the capital to cover soft costs. Soft costs typically account for 30% of a real estate development budget based on the required administrative and executional aspect of the early-stage development process.

Funding Source

The FY2023 Budget appropriated a total of $65 million to real estate project funding, of which

$20 million was intended to bolster and grow small emerging developers and allows for the creation of the Emerging Developers Grant Program. The Program will utilize the $20 million appropriation, which will be deposited into Economic Recovery Fund (ERF)

The potential award amount is based upon current information about funding availability. NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Program Details

The Emerging Developers Program has been created to support emerging developers for soft costs during their pre-development phase of a project. This program will help emerging developers gain access to capital and build additional capacity to expand their existing portfolio that may otherwise cause a financial burden if it were not for the assistance of this grant.

Site control will be required at time of application, as it demonstrates an equity injection took place to acquire the asset. Following acquisition of the asset, administrative expenses classified as professional services and regulatory fees are necessary investments. Soft costs provide the blueprint to any real estate initiative and while intangible to the asset, they’re critically important in pre- development.

This grant Program will fund small-scale developers that have completed at least two, but no more than five commercial, residential and/or mixed-use properties of similar scope. The creation of this Program will help overcome various difficulties that continue to be a constant burden to emerging developers and therefore limit opportunities to expand their portfolios.

The intent of this program aims to:

  • Create a stronger and fairer economy
  • Drive economic growth and equity
  • Reduce the financial burden of predatory lending by providing additional capital to assist with soft costs
  • Attract developers who may take advantage of greater opportunities
  • Enhance the ability to seek favorable financing with less debt due to the assistance of the grant
  • Collaborate with other State agencies within the state to synergize this initiative to provide additional resources
  • Initiate and maintain relationships with banks that will work alongside the developer to increase their portfolio
  • Decrease the need for hard-debt lending
  • Create local jobs in communities throughout the State
  • Expand the developer’s capacity by introducing other State agencies that may assist with other initiatives that may or may not be related to the request of this grant

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Applicant must demonstrate ownership of the property being developed (minimum 51%). Pre-development soft costs unrelated to construction are eligible for reimbursement.

Small developers with a record of completing at least two, but no more than five commercial, residential and/or mixed-use properties are eligible.

Provide a current tax clearance certificate to demonstrate the applicant is in good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation

Non-profit and for-profit entities are also eligible to apply for this grant.

Development Entities

Development Entities, which are the entities responsible for overseeing a real estate development project and coordinating the activities related to the project, including, but not limited to, project design, project financing, and permitting and local approvals shall be eligible applicants.

At the time of application, the Development Entity must identify a specific project and be at least 51% owner of the corresponding real estate or real estate special purpose entity. The largest equity owner of the Development Entity will be analyzed to the extent of their existing portfolio and prior work completed. Projects including the development of various residential properties inclusive of single family and multifamily units, mixed use properties, and commercial development will be considered as part of the Development Entity’s experience. A Development Entity with a purchase and sales agreement or a lease are not eligible. The Development Entity will be responsible with adhering to the terms and conditions listed in the grant agreement. The Development Entity identified at the time of application is the sole recipient of grant funds and responsible for all terms of the grant agreement. The Development Entity will serve as the primary point of contact with the Authority and submit requests for reimbursement of eligible soft costs. The Development Entity cannot have more than five

employees at time of application as per their last WR30 filed or any other payroll documentation to verify this information.

One award will be provided per Development Entity. Developer Entities that have common majority ownership are ineligible for more than one grant.

The Development Entity must provide an organizational chart at time of application of both the special purpose entity that owns the real estate of the identified project (if the Development Entity does not own the real estate directly) and the Developer Entity. Formation documents for both the Developer Entity and special purpose entity (if applicable) are required at time of application. The Developer Entity will be required to submit documents at time of application that consist of, but are not limited to, a project portfolio of past projects, resume of each key employee or officer, preliminary budget of estimated soft costs, and all other documentation required by the application to demonstrate eligibility.

All applicants, including, all Developer Entities must be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the EDA prior to approval.

A current tax clearance certificate is required prior to approval to demonstrate the applicant is in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation, unless the applicant is not required to register with the Division of Taxation.

Eligible and Ineligible Uses of Funding

Grant awards will reimburse up to 50% of eligible pre-development soft costs. Eligible Project Costs/Soft Costs may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Architectural and design fees
  • Construction drawings and specifications
  • Engineering fees and surveys
  • Municipal zoning and Inspection fees
  • Insurance costs
  • Professional fees
  • Legal fees
  • Accounting fees
  • Project management fees
  • Market/feasibility study
  • Appraisal
  • Phase I environmental review
  • Property taxes (no delinquent property taxes, must be current)
  • Loan interest (if applicable)
  • Utilities
  • Asbestos, mold, lead based evaluations (not including remediation)
  • Application fees for zoning and planning approvals

Ineligible Project Costs may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Costs associated with the purchase of the site/property are not eligible for reimbursement.
  • Construction costs are not eligible under this product, including remediations services, construction, equipment installation, or any other work done under a construction contract.
  • As construction cannot have commenced, and construction is not a condition of this program, the grant for eligible pre-development soft costs is not made in connection with any potential future construction.

Grant Awards and Agreement

Grant awards will be eligible for up to $200,000. The Program will offer a bonus for projects that are in a designated Opportunity Zones census tract in New Jersey or in a Government Restricted Municipality (GRM), which would increase the maximum amount of an award up to

$250,000.

There are 169 designated Opportunity Zones census tracts. The Economic Recovery Act of 2020 designated three cities as Government Restricted Municipalities; they consist of Trenton, Paterson, and Atlantic City. Additional funding towards supporting developers with projects located in these two designations will improve economic conditions in distressed communities and ensure opportunities for investments are equitable and inclusive.

One award is allowed per eligible Development Entity.

The grant agreement must be signed within 30 days of final approval.

Application Submission and Review Process

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis subject to the availability of funds. All applications will be reviewed for completeness. Complete applications will be evaluated in the order that they are received by the Authority. At the sole discretion of the Authority, staff may ask for any necessary clarifications of the information provided in the application including, but not limited to, responses, documentation, and attachments. Applicants will be given fifteen (15) business days to cure any deficiencies. If at the end of this cure period the application remains incomplete, the application will be deemed withdrawn.

Disbursement of Funding

The Authority will disburse grants to the Development Entity. The disbursements will be based on receipts/invoices that the Developer will submit. As the invoices and receipts are reviewed, 50% of each invoice/receipt for eligible work will be reimbursed. The Development Entity shall

be responsible for assuring the compliance of all terms and conditions of this grant and assumes the sole and absolute responsibility for any payments due to anyone else, including municipal, county, or business partners.

Grants will reimburse up to 50% of the grantee’s eligible pre-development soft costs once they have executed their grant agreement. Soft costs that are incurred up to one year prior to the grant application and until one year following the date of execution of the grant agreement will be eligible for reimbursement.

Fees and Administrative Expenses

A $1,000 non-refundable application fee is required at time of application submission and must be paid by credit card.

Additional Information

Full program details and additional information is available at Emerging Developers – NJEDA Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to emergingdevelopers@njeda.gov.

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they own or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

Click here for full PDF

New Jersey Re-Assigning In-State Employees Pilot Grant Program (Revised October 16th, 2024; Published May 8th, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

As of the date of the posting this amended NOFA, the appropriation for the NJ RISE Program is $20 million per State Fiscal Year until 2028.  All other aspects of the NJ RISE program (including eligibility criteria, details and restrictions and process) remain the same.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the pilot “New Jersey Re-Assigning In-State Employees” (NJRISE) Grant Program at 10:00 a.m. EST May 15, 2024.  Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funding is committed.  The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.gov/njrise.

Eligible businesses must submit a completed application online to the NJEDA on or before July 1, 2028.

Background and Purpose

On July 21, 2023, the New Jersey State Legislature passed, and Governor Phil Murphy approved

P.L. 2023, c.125, which included a pilot grant program to be administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). On March 7, 2024, the NJEDA Board approved the creation of the “New Jersey Re-Assigning In-State Employees Program” (NJ RISE), which has been recently decreased in its appropriation to $20 million from $35 million for per State Fiscal Year until 2028.  Grant awards shall not exceed $500,000 per business applicant.

The NJ RISE Program will provide grants to eligible businesses that are principally located in another state to re-assign New Jersey-resident employees, who are assigned to work in another state that uses the “convenience of the employer income taxation” (see below discussion), to instead work at New Jersey locations.  It is anticipated that the effect of the re-assignment of New Jersey residents will help ensure that a resident’s income taxes stay in New Jersey and thereby lead to increased revenue from the New Jersey Gross Income Tax.

In Chapter 125, funds were appropriated from the General Fund to the NJEDA in the sum of $35,000,000 subject to the approval of the Director of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury. Approvals for grants in excess of the currently appropriated amount will be subject to future appropriations and availability of funds. As mentioned, the appropriation has been decreased from $35 million to $20 million per each State Fiscal Year of the Program until 2028.

Convenience of the Employer Sourcing Taxation

States tax compensation in different ways. In some states, like New Jersey (with the exceptions noted below), the state taxes an employee’s compensation based on the location where the work was done, regardless of whether the location is at the convenience of the employee or the employer. For instance, an employee who is assigned by the employer to work at a location in New Jersey but chooses to work at home outside of the State three days a week, will be taxed by New Jersey only for the two days the employee works in the State. The exceptions in New Jersey are due to (1) the Reciprocal Agreement between New Jersey and Pennsylvania that subjects compensation by the residents of each state to the income tax of the state of residency and (2) other limited statutory exceptions.

Other states, such as Delaware, Nebraska, and New York, implement a “convenience of the employer income taxation”. Under this system, the state taxes a nonresident employee’s compensation based on (“sourced to”) the employer’s assigned location even if the employee is working from an out-of-state location (e.g., at home in their resident state) for the employee’s own convenience rather than for the necessity or convenience of the employer. For example, a New Jersey resident employee who is assigned by their employer to work at a location in a “convenience of the employer” state (“State A”), but whose employer requires them to work in New Jersey three days a week, will be taxed by State A for the compensation earned for the two days the employee is at the State A location and not for the three days the employee is in New Jersey, because the work in New Jersey is at the necessity or convenience of the employer. If, however, a New Jersey resident employee, who is assigned by their employer to work at a location in State A, instead chooses to work at home in New Jersey three days a week, State A will tax all five days of compensation as if the employee were working at the assigned State A location every day, because the decision to work in New Jersey was at the convenience of the employee.

Program Details and Restrictions

The grant award will be equal to the amount of New Jersey Gross Income Tax withholdings of the Re-assigned Employee New Jersey-resident employees during one tax year of the business, not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate per business. The sum of all grants approved will not exceed $20 million in any State fiscal year. Additionally, the Authority will not approve more applications than the amount of the appropriation it has received from the Legislature.   

Note: The grant award may not be based upon a New Jersey-resident employee for which the business applicant already has an active NJEDA incentive. 

Eligible business must submit a completed application to the NJEDA on or before July 1, 2028. 

There are no restrictions on the business’ use of the NJ RISE Grant funds.

Eligibility

The following are Program eligibility requirements that must be met by Applicants:

  • The business has 25 or more U.S. Full-Time Employees.
  • The business is principally located in another state.
  • A business’s application is identified by EIN. Affiliates with different EIN numbers may not be included in the same application but can apply for separate grant awards.
  • The business must be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
  • Re-assigned Employees are full-time employees and part-time employees, which includes employees leased through a New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) approved professional employment organization, that are re-assigned by their employers from a place of work in a State with “Convenience of The Employer Income Taxation” to work at a location in New Jersey. Independent contractors or individuals working on a consulting basis for the business are not considered eligible employees.
  • A current tax clearance will need to be provided at time of application and maintained throughout the disbursement process to demonstrate that the applicant is properly registered to do business in New Jersey and in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation.
  • All construction contracts that the applicant enters into to meet the requirements of the Program and are equal to or greater than $2,000, will be subject to the NJEDA’s affirmative action requirements (N.J.S.A. 34:1B-5.4) and prevailing wage requirements (N.J.S.A. 34:1B-5.1)

Definitions

• “Business Principally Located in Another State” means a business that has a primary place of business outside of New Jersey, as determined by the Authority, in its sole discretion, which may consider factors such as revenue size, job count, customer base, square footage, and the location of the actual seat of management or control of the corporation.

• “Employee” means a person who is employed by a business in the United States for consideration. An “Employee” shall also include a person who is employed pursuant to an employer leasing agreement in accordance with N.J.S.A. 34:8-67 et seq. between a business and a professional employment organization. “Employee” shall not include any person who works as an independent contractor or on a consulting basis for the business.

• “Full-Time Employee” means an Employee who is employed for consideration for at least 35 hours a week.

• “Grant Award Cap” means the maximum amount of the award at approval and stated in the Grant Agreement.

• “Re-assigned Employee” means a Resident Employee that, before application, is assigned to a location in a “State with Convenience of The Employer Income Taxation” and after award approval is re-assigned to a location in New Jersey. “Re-assigned Employee” shall not include any Resident Employee assigned to a location in a “State with Convenience of The Employer Income Taxation” within three months prior to the date of the completed application, absent the Authority’s acceptance of satisfactory documentation submitted by the business applicant to demonstrate a bona fide assignment.

• “Resident Employee” means a Full-Time Employee or part-time Employee who is a New Jersey resident taxpayer.

• “State with Convenience of The Employer Income Taxation” means a State that imposes an income or compensation tax that requires employee compensation to be sourced to an employer’s location if the nonresident employee renders the personal services from an out-of-state location for the convenience of the nonresident employee and not due to the necessity of the employer, excluding any state with a reciprocal agreement with New Jersey concerning the taxation of income.

• “Withholdings” has the same meaning as that used in N.J.S.A. 54A:7-1 to -7 and N.J.A.C. 18:35-7.1 to -7.11 and, for purposes of this program, will be determined by the New Jersey Division of Taxation.

Grant Amounts

The NJ RISE Grant award will be equal to the amount of New Jersey Gross Income Tax withholdings of the Re-assigned Employees during one tax year of the business, not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate per business. The sum of all grants approved will not exceed $35 million per State fiscal year. Please see below for required CPA Certification in order to receive the Grant award.

Application Submission and Review Process

  • Review of completed applications will be done on a rolling basis, with delegated authority for the NJEDA CEO to approve individual applications.  Each application will be reviewed independently and in the order they were received.
  • A business applicant may make changes to a completed application until approval, but no modifications may be made after approval, except as described in the fee section below.
  • A business may submit multiple applications, including within one tax year. Each application must be for New Jersey-resident employees not included in any other program award.
  • In the application, the business will select the tax year for reimbursement of withholdings, which shall be either the tax year of the application or the following tax year.
  • Approval will be made for a grant award amount based on the withholdings estimated by the business applicant of the proposed Re-assigned Employees, not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate per business.
  • Withholdings of the Re-assigned Employees will be required to add up to at least one half of the approved award amount.
  • The business may replace previously proposed Re-assigned Employees if it submits the same information that was submitted at the time of application for the original Re-assigned Employees. Such replacement will not be considered a modification or an administrative change and shall be subject to the grant award.

Each application completed online must contain the following information and documents:

  1. Current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate
  2. Formation Documents
  3. Certification of Non-Involvement in Activities in Russia or Belarus (see below)
  4. Religious Activities questionnaire (if applicable)
  5. CEO Certification verifying that all information provided is accurate

6. Employee Log Sheet of Resident Employees that are currently assigned to a location in a State With Convenience Of The Employer Income Taxation that the applicant proposes to be Re-assigned Employees, with estimated future New Jersey Withholdings

7. Evidence of the following:

• Applicant is a Business Principally Located in Another State.

• Applicant has 25 Full-Time Employees., e.g. Form 941.

8. W-3 form for the relevant fiscal year

Additional documents that will be required to be submitted during the approval process are:

  • Payroll report(s) from the business
  • Documents demonstrating viability of each Re-assigned Employee’s work location in New Jersey
  • Proof of the business’s Withholdings from the prior quarter to confirm that each proposed Re-assigned Employee is assigned to a location outside of New Jersey in a State With Convenience Of the Employer Income Taxation, e.g. document equivalent to New Jersey’s WR-30. If hired during that quarter, documentation to demonstrate bona fide assignment.

Selection by the business of the business’s tax year for reimbursement of Withholdings, which shall be either the tax year of application or the following tax year. The selected tax year will apply to all Re-assigned Employees associated with the Grant award.

Grant Agreement

Once an applicant is approved for funding, the NJEDA will enter into a Grant Agreement with the applicant detailing the amount of grant funding and all financial Program requirements.

The applicant will be responsible for submitting all required supporting documents and permitting an audit of the payroll records of the business and any other evidence and documentation supporting the reports required to demonstrate the Re-assigned Employees and estimated withholdings, as the NJEDA deems necessary.  The Grant Agreement will also include recapture provisions in the event of overpayment and an event of default and full repayment for any material misrepresentation.

The Grant Agreement will not require a compliance period. The Applicant is subject to all applicable New Jersey prevailing wage and affirmative action requirements, as stated above.

Other provisions in the Grant Agreement will include:

  • Payment under the Grant Agreement is subject to state appropriation and shall be made solely to the Grantee and not to any professional employment organization that may be co-employer of Re-assigned Employees;
  • The requirement that absent extenuating circumstances and the written approval of the NJEDA, CPA Certifications are due 120 days after the completion of the tax year the Grantee selected for reimbursement.  NJEDA will review the CPA Certification to determine acceptance and payment of 75% of the estimated withholdings;

A provision regarding the Division of Taxation certification of the amount of withholdings or the Re-assigned Employees Pursuant to the Grant Agreement, Grantees must provide the NJEDA with thirty (30) days prior written notice of any sale, assignment or other transfer of ownership of the business prior to the disbursement of the entire grant.  It is in the NJEDA’s sole discretion whether or not to allow the new owner(s) to take over the grant agreement and receive the grant funds.  

Legal reviews and other compliance checks will be performed on the new entities and their owners/affiliates prior to approval.  If the Grantee fails to submit the required notice as stated above and does not receive prior written consent from the NJEDA, it may cure this default in accordance with the Grant Agreement.  As part of the cure process, the NJEDA will perform the above discussed checks on the new owner.  While the new owner is under review, the original Grantee is liable under the Grant Agreement.  If the new owner is deemed eligible, the NJEDA may accept the new owner as the substitute Grantee, at the discretion of the NJEDA.  If the new owner is not deemed eligible, the original Grantee will remain liable under the Grant Agreement and will be subject to any remedies made available to the NJEDA under same.

Disbursement of Funding

After the completion of the tax year selected by the business for the grant, the business must submit a CPA Certification within 120 days after the completion of the tax year and pursuant to the AUP as stated above. Upon NJEDA staff’s satisfactory review and acceptance of the CPA Certification, the business will be paid 75% of the estimated Withholdings as substantiated by the CPA Certification. Staff will submit information to the Division of Taxation, as required under Chapter 125, to certify the actual amount of Withholdings of the Re-assigned Employees. NJEDA will pay the 25% of the remaining estimated withholdings that will only be released after certification by the Division of Taxation, not to exceed the amount of the approved Grant Award.  The retainage is anticipated to allow for staff to make adjustments to the payment amount without requesting repayments.  As mentioned above, the Grant Agreement will require recapture in the unlikely event of overpayments.

Fees

The Application Fee for this Program is: $5,000.

An additional administrative fee of $1,000 will be charged for routine updates to customer files, such as company name changes and redesignations as a result of an internal reorganization and for extensions. Modifications that will not be accepted include, but are not limited to, mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, separations, and divestitures.

* All fees are non-refundable, unless funds are not available to support the application request.

Comprehensive information about the NJ RISE Program is available at: https://www.njeda.gov/njrise/

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32‐60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I‐49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D‐12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

Click Here for PDF

NJ Accelerate Pilot Program (Published on October 9, 2024)
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the (1) Rent Benefit and the (2) Event Sponsorship Benefit of the NJ Accelerate Pilot Program (“Program”) on October 17, 2024 at 10:00 am EST.  

Note: This NOFA discusses and applies to the Rent Benefit and Event Sponsorship Benefit only.  (The Authority began accepting applications for the Loan Benefits on September 30, 2024.)

Applications for the Rent Benefit and Event Sponsorship Benefit will be accepted on a rolling basis until September 10, 2026 at 5:00 pm EST or, until funds have been exhausted, whichever comes first. 

The Program’s application link and instructions can be obtained only by contacting the Technology Innovation Products team (“Team”) at: njaccelerate@njeda.gov.

The Program will make available grant funding up to $25,000 for Rent Benefits to eligible Graduate Companies of Approved Accelerators (“Graduate Companies”), and grant funding up to $2,000 per event (capped at $20,000 per approved Accelerator) for Event Sponsorship Benefit.

Purpose and Overview

In light of the positive performance of the original NJ Accelerate Program that was launched in 2020 and the increasing interest of both Accelerators and companies, the Authority has approved a two-year Program to partner with Approved Accelerators on advancing New Jersey early-stage innovative startups and building New Jersey’s Innovation Economy by offering Rent Benefits, Event Sponsorships and Investment Loan Benefits.

Funding for the Program

The Program will utilize the remaining funds from the original $2,500,000 allocation available from the Economic Recovery Fund (ERF).  NJEDA reserves the right to decrease that amount or increase it should additional funds become available.

  • Rent Benefits

Eligible Graduate Companies

Companies that graduate from an Approved Accelerator are eligible to apply for the Rent Benefit. A list of the Approved Accelerators can be found at: https://www.njeda.gov/njaccelerate/ .

Eligible Graduate Companies must meet the following criteria within six (6) months of graduation or the latter date of departure out of the physical space offered by the Approved Accelerator:

  • -Must be registered with NJ Treasury to conduct business in NJ and obtain a valid New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate.
  • -Have at least 50% of the company’s workforce work in New Jersey or pay New Jersey taxes by providing NJWR30 or NJ Registered Professional Employer Organization (“PEO”) letter, or other forms of documentation to confirm job position, method of compensation, and time worked at the company, such as Forms 1099, W2, K1, job descriptions and offer letters, as deemed acceptable by the NJEDA.
  • -Have a minimum of two (2) founders in New Jersey devoting 100% of their professional time to the Company prior to application approval, with an average of 80% of that time in New Jersey.  A founder is defined as either a “founder” of the Graduate Company or a C-level executive.

Rent Benefit – Additional Eligibility and Application Requirements

To be eligible for the Rent Benefit, the eligible Graduate Company must have a lease or membership to an approved NJ Accelerate collaborative working space, which is defined as:

“Collaborative workspace” means a business facility approved under NJ Accelerate program, located in New Jersey, developed to provide flexible workspaces for early-stage innovation economy businesses, and designed to encourage community and collaboration within an interconnected environment in which multiple start-up businesses have access to shared community events and shared workplace accommodations including, but not limited to, kitchens and makerspaces.  Collaborative workspaces must contain any of adjacent office, lab or hot desks in which employees of multiple companies, necessarily including, but not limited to, companies up to 3 years from the earliest date of formation, are conjoined under one roof by shared conference, meeting or gathering space.

A list of the approved NJ Accelerate collaborative working space can be found at: https://www.njeda.gov/njaccelerate/.

Grant Amount for the Rent Benefit

Up to 6 months of rent, not to exceed $25,000, matching the rent or membership fees $1 to $1 at NJ Accelerate approved workspace locations will be awarded for this Program. An additional month of rent payment is available to Graduate Companies certified by the State of New Jersey as women or minority owned.

Application Submission and Program Requirements

Complete applications for the Rent Benefit will be reviewed on a rolling basis, first-come first served.  Eligible Graduate Companies must contact the Team at: njaccelerate@njeda.gov,  in order to obtain an application link, password, and a complete set of instructions, including the required documents for submission.

At the time of application, Graduate Companies must submit, in addition to other documents, the following:

  • -Valid New Jersey Tax Clearance.
  • -2 page executive summary of the Company.
  • -A letter of graduation from the Approved Accelerator confirming completion of the accelerator program.
  • -NJ WR-30 or Registered PEO letter, or other forms of documentation, such as Forms 1099, W2, K1, job descriptions and offer letters.
  • -Signed lease or membership agreement with an approved NJ Accelerate Collaborative Workspace.

The Authority reserves the right to conduct site visits, as deemed appropriate by the Authority, to confirm that funds are being used in accordance with eligible uses for the Rent Benefit.

2. Event Sponsorship – Eligibility and Application Requirements

Eligible Approved Accelerators

To be eligible to apply for the programmatic Event Sponsorship Benefit, the Accelerator must be registered to do business in New Jersey and must be one of the NJ Accelerate approved Accelerators at the time of application. A complete list of the Approved Accelerators is available at: NJ Accelerate – NJEDA.

Approved Accelerators must certify on an annual basis:

  • -High prior participant satisfaction: as verified by either online testimonials or reference details; and
  • -A proven and documented or certified track record of success in prior graduates demonstrated in at least meeting a market rate proportion of graduates that have received follow-on funding from non-related parties, seeing strategic acquisition, significant (50%+) revenue growth in the last year or achieve an exit.

Eligible Uses for Event Benefit  

Eligible events must have a minimum of 25 in person attendees and be located in New Jersey.

Event Sponsorship Benefits can be used to cover costs related to the event held in New Jersey, such as catering, physical space, and marketing costs.

The event must allow for the following role and participation by NJEDA, including a speaking role representative, inclusion in marketing materials, website, exhibit table (if applicable), complimentary event registrations and attendees’ contact information. Event Sponsorship approval will be subject to review in advance of the event.

Grant Amount for the Event Sponsorship Benefit

Up to $2,000 per event will be awarded for the Event Sponsorship Benefit. Each Approved Accelerator will be capped at $20,000 in total sponsorship over the lifecycle of this pilot program. Full amount of the grant will be disbursed after the Programmatic Event has been approved.

If the Approved Accelerator has a focus on diversity and inclusion and meets the qualification parameters set by the State Office of Diversity & Inclusion or the designated D&I Officer within the NJEDA, the award is increased by 5% up to $2,100 per event or $21,000 total over the lifecycle of the pilot program.

Application Submission and Program Requirements

Eligible Approved Accelerators must contact the Team at: njaccelerate@njeda.gov to obtain an application and a complete set of instructions and required documents for submission. Complete applications for the Sponsorship benefit will be reviewed on a rolling basis, first-come first served.

At the time of application, Approved Accelerators must submit, in addition to other documents, the following:

  • -Event Agenda and Description, including the number of expected attendees
  • -Budget of Expenses
  • -Confirmation of the Authority’s opportunity to participate in the event
  • -Current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate

Application Review Process for Both Benefits

The Authority will perform a review of all applications on a rolling basis for both the Rent Benefit and Event Sponsorship Benefit. Applications will first be reviewed for completeness to ensure that all necessary application information and documents are submitted and complete. Applicants will be given 14 business days to cure any deficiencies by submitting missing or incomplete documents (“cure period”).

At the sole discretion of the Authority and at any time during application review, the Authority may ask for clarification of the information included in the application, including but not limited to narrative responses, supporting documentation, and attachments.

Grant Agreement and Funding Disbursement

The Authority will enter into a Grant Agreement with the Approved Accelerator for the Event Sponsorship Benefit and with the Graduate Company for the Rent Benefit detailing the awarded grant amount and applicable terms. The Approved Accelerator/Graduate Company is responsible for assuring the compliance of the project with all terms and conditions of the application and the specific Benefit funding requirements. The Authority reserves the right to recapture any grant funds used for ineligible purposes. The full amount of the grant will be disbursed upon the execution of the Grant Agreement.

Fees

No fees will be charged for the Rent Benefit and Event Sponsorship Benefit applications.

Additional Requirements and Information

Comprehensive information about the NJ Accelerate program is available at NJ Accelerate – NJEDA.  Questions concerning this Program should be submitted to: NJAccelerate@njeda.gov

Funding for this grant is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions including  grant awards by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.

Click here for full PDF 

Real Estate Gap Financing Grant Program (Published on October 3, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the competitive pilot Real Estate Gap Financing Grant Program (“Program”) on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 10:00am EST.

Applications will be accepted during a competitive application round through the Program’s online application portal, which will close on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 5pm EST.  Applications are limited to one application per EIN and all applications will be reviewed following the closure of the application period. The application can be accessed at: Real Estate Gap Financing Grant Program – NJEDA.  The Authority will accept questions regarding the Program during the first 30 days following application launch. Questions and responses will be posted on the Authority’s Program webpage.

The Program will make available grants between $500,000 and $5,000,000 for eligible real estate development projects located in distressed municipalities based on eligibility and scoring.  

español (Spanish)
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, los servicios de asistencia lingüística, gratuitos, están disponibles para usted enviando un correo electrónico a languagehelp@njeda.com.

اللغة (Arabic)
تنبيه: إذا كنت تتحدث  اللغة العربية، فإن خدمات المساعدة اللغوية مجانية متاحة لك عبر إرسال بريد إلكتروني إلى
languagehelp@njeda.com.

粵語 Traditional Chinese (Cantonese Chinese)
注意:如果您說粵語,可以透過傳送電子郵件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免費獲取語言協助服務。

普通语 Simplified Chinese (Mandarin Chinese)
注意:如果您说普通语,可以通过发送电子邮件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免费获取语言协助服务。

ગુજરાતી (Gujarati)
ધ્યાન આપો: જો તમે ગુજરાતી બોલતા હોય તો, તમારા માટે languagehelp@njeda.com પર ઈ-મેઈલ કરવાથી ભાષા સહાય સેવાઓ મફતામાં ઉપલબ્ધ છે. 

हिंदी (Hindi)
ध्यान दें: यदि आप हिंदी बोलते हैं, तो languagehelp@njpa.com पर ईमेल द्वारा, आप के लिए नि:शुल्क भाषा सहायता सेवाएं उपलब्ध हैं।

italiano (Italian)
ATTENZIONE: se parla italiano, può usufruire gratuitamente di servizi di assistenza linguistica scrivendo all’indirizzo languagehelp@njeda.com

한국어 (Korean)
알림: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스가 무료로 이메일 languagehelp@njeda.com을 통해 제공됩니다.

po polsku (Polish)
UWAGA: Jeśli mówisz po polsku, możesz uzyskać pomoc tłumacza bezpłatnie wysyłając e-mail pod adres languagehelp@njeda.com.

português (Portuguese)
ATENÇÃO: se você falar português, oferecemos serviços de apoio de idioma gratuitos. Envie um e-mail para languagehelp@njeda.com.

Tagalog
ATTENTION: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, magagamit mo ang libreng mga serbisyong tulong sa wika sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa languagehelp@njeda.com.

Purpose and Overview

The Program is a competitive grant pilot program that will deploy $10 million in grant funds to real estate development projects that are either new construction and/or substantial rehabilitation projects.  These projects must be located in distressed municipalities (as identified below) that require gap financing and also help address some of the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding for the Program

This Program will utilize $10 million in appropriated funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Act P.L. 2022, c.49 (“Act”) which includes funds for “Gap Financing – Real Estate Projects Funding” from the American Rescue Plan (“ARP”) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (“SLFRF”) which will be deposited into the Economic Recovery Fund (“ERF”).  These funds have been repurposed from the former Construction Inflation Fund program.

The $10 million program funding amount is based upon current information about funding availability. NJEDA reserves the right to decrease that amount and number of awards or increase both should additional funds become available.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are for-profit and non-profit entities (each, an “Applicant” or “Developer Entity”). Any city, State, or county entity and any state colleges or universities are not eligible to apply for this Program, including any such government entity that may also have a non-profit status under federal law.

Applications are limited to one applicant per EIN.

Applicants must be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and NJEDA prior to approval.
The Program requires Applicants to provide a current tax clearance certificate at time of application to demonstrate the Applicant is in good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation, unless the applicant is not required to register with the Division of Taxation.

Eligible Project Locations

Applicants must ensure that the project location is located within a municipality ranked in BOTH the top 20% of the Department of Community Affairs 2023 Municipal Revitalization Index and the top 20% of Commuter Adjusted Population, as described below.

  • Top 20% of municipalities within the 2023 Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI). The MRI serves as the State’s official measure and ranking of municipal distress. The MRI ranks New Jersey’s municipalities according to eight separate indicators that measure diverse aspects of social, economic, physical, and fiscal conditions in each locality. The MRI is used as a factor in distributing certain “need based” funds.
  • Top 20% of municipalities based on Commuter-Adjusted Population (2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates)
    • This is “Daytime Population” which is the calculation of Total Resident Population + Total Workers Working in Area – Total Workers Living in Area.

The 25 municipalities with areas that are eligible for the Program are: Bayonne, Belleville, Bridgeton, Carteret, East Orange, Elizabeth, Garfield, Hackensack, Irvington, Jersey City, Kearney, Lakewood Township, Linden, Long Branch, Middle Township, Millville, North Bergen, Orange, Pennsauken, Perth Amboy, Plainfield, Union City, Vineland, West New York, and Winslow.

Note: Although the cities of Atlantic City, Camden, Newark, New Brunswick, Passaic, Paterson, and Trenton meet the above location eligibility criteria, projects located in these cities are ineligible for the Program due to the significant funding that each city has received from other NJEDA programs, including the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (A.R.T.) Program Phase I, the Urban Investment Fund Grant Program, and the Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program.

No Applicant (or Applicant related entity) may receive more than one grant award and only one application will be funded in any one, eligible municipality.

Eligible Project Types

The following types of real estate development projects (i.e., new construction and/or substantial rehabilitation as defined below are eligible for the Program:

  • Commercial (including office and/or supermarkets/grocery stores)
  • Mixed-use developments (Note: Any residential portion must comply with the 20% reservation for low- and moderate-income households required by N.J.S.A. 52:27D-329.9(b).)
  • Non-profit/community use projects (must not be government owned)
  • Cultural, Arts, Performing Arts
  • Manufacturing/Industrial
  • Note: Any warehouse use included must be ancillary and in direct support of the site’s

eligible primary use.

Substantial rehabilitation shall have the same meaning as “reconstruction” in N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.3: “any project where the extent and nature of the work is such that the work area cannot be occupied while the work is in progress and where a new certificate of occupancy is required before the work area can be reoccupied. Reconstruction may include repair, renovation, alteration or any combination thereof. Reconstruction shall not include projects comprised only of floor finish replacement, painting or wallpapering, or the replacement of equipment or furnishings. Asbestos hazard abatement and lead hazard abatement projects shall not be classified as reconstruction solely because occupancy of the work area is not permitted.”

Ineligible Projects

  • Projects consisting solely of warehouse and/or retail spaces.
  • Projects primarily for governmental or educational use, including buildings that would be owned, ground leased, or primarily leased (51% of square footage) by governmental or educational entities following development.
  • Projects that have started construction.

Construction, including demolition and remediation, cannot start until NJEDA’s approval of the application. Additionally, applicants must agree to a 5-year deed restriction ensuring that there will be no change in the proposed project use for 5 years.

All projects will be subject to compliance with New Jersey prevailing wage law, affirmative action requirements and the Public Works Contractor Registration Act (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.48 et seq.), which require all contractors, subcontractors, or lower tier subcontractors (including subcontractors listed in the bid proposal) who bid on or engage in the performance of any public work in New Jersey to register with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Per US Treasury deadlines and federal SLFRF requirements, all Program funds must be expended by December 31, 2026. Therefore, project readiness to proceed and ability to

complete the project within the program timeline requirements will be a key funding

consideration.

Grant Amounts

The minimum grant award for the program is $500,000 and the maximum grant award is $5,000,000 per project.  As stated above, an Applicant (or Applicant related entity) may receive only one grant award. Further, only one application will be funded in any one, eligible municipality.

Program grant funding can only be used for the real estate project costs specifically approved based on the application, Authority review, and funding grant agreement. Program grant funding may not exceed 50% of the total of all project development costs within the approved application. Project costs may include: hard construction costs with a maximum 10% contingency; soft costs not exceeding 20% of total project costs; and developer fees not exceeding 10% of total project costs or as otherwise allowed by another State agency providing funding to a project. Property acquisition costs equity and operating costs are not considered as part of total project development costs.

All project costs and Grant funding are subject to federal Duplication of Benefits requirements and a cost reasonableness analysis will be undertaken by the NJEDA staff prior to project approval.

Note: Please see the Grant Agreement section outlining potential actions, including recapture or repayment of Grant funds, that the Authority may pursue if timelines for meeting project milestones are not met.  

If an Applicant requests grant funding for an eligible project but there are not sufficient Program funds available to fund the full grant request, the Authority will inform the Applicant of the amount of grant funds available. If the Applicant wishes to proceed, the Applicant will be required to commit to and then fund the difference to fill the gap to ensure the submitted project proposal is undertaken as described.

If all Program funds are not awarded during the initial application period and/or if additional Program funds become available, then applications will be reopened on a rolling basis. Grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis to eligible Applicants that meet the minimum score (subject to the limit on awards per municipality) and approved by the NJEDA’s Board.

Application Submission and Review Process

The Authority will perform a review of all applications after the closure of the application period. Applications will first be reviewed for completeness to ensure that all necessary application information and documents are submitted and complete. Applicants will be given ten (10) business days to cure any deficiencies by submitting missing or incomplete documents (“cure period”). If at the end of this cure period the application is still incomplete, whether because of a lack of response or an inadequate response, the Authority will notify the Applicant that the application will not be advancing to be scored.

At the sole discretion of the Authority and at any time during evaluation, the Authority may ask for clarification of the information included in the application, including but not limited to narrative responses, supporting documentation, and attachments.

All project costs and Grant funding are subject to federal Duplication of Benefits requirements and a cost reasonableness analysis will be undertaken by the NJEDA staff prior to project approval.

Required Application Documents and Information

As part of the Program application, the Authority will request information about the proposed project, which may include, but which is not limited to:

  1. Project description of overall project proposal describing building to be rehabilitated/new construction proposed, property/site details and location information, existing conditions of the building/property, and the proposed project type/building use.
  2. Narrative describing how the proposed project is responsive to negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (such as reduced economic activity, business/development delays or impacts, decreased pedestrian traffic or residents, conditions of vacancy, etc.)
  3. Evidence of site control or a path to site control.
  4. Municipal Letter of Support.
  5. Project financial information including development budget, sources and uses, project feasibility, and evidence or status of financing.
  6. Project development timeline/implementation schedule indicating readiness to proceed, status of funding, permit and other approvals, and ability to complete the project within the program timelines.
  7. Applicant’s organizational documentation.
  8. Applicant’s experience and capacity to undertake and complete the proposed project.

Note: Readiness to proceed and project development timelines for completion will be scoring factors. Applicants should provide as much detail as possible regarding the steps involved for project development and projected timeline for undertaking and completing the proposed project if Grant funds are awarded.

Scoring of Applications

Applications will be reviewed and scored by an evaluation scoring committee comprised of Authority staff. Applications will be scored on a scale of 0 – 100 points, with award recommendations to the NJEDA Board limited to applications that meet or exceed the minimum score requirement of 65 points. Applicants will be recommended from the highest scored to the lowest scored Applicant until all Program funding is awarded.

Applications will be scored based on the following criteria:

  • Overall proposal concept (Proposed community and economic impacts/benefits of the project, project location, participation of Small, Women, Minority, Veteran Owned Businesses, and ways in which proposed project addresses negative COVID-19 impacts) (up to 30 points)
  • Experience & capacity of applicant/development team (up to 20 points)
  • Readiness to proceed and reasonableness of proposed timeline to undertake and complete proposed project (up to 30 points)
  • Financial feasibility and cost effectiveness of proposed project (up to 20 points)

All eligible applications that meet or exceed 65 points up to the available funding amount in the order of highest to lowest score will proceed to the Board for consideration of approval. All applications that have not been declined due to non-discretionary reasons will also proceed to the Board.

Grant Agreement

Following Board approval, the Authority will enter into a Grant Agreement with the applicant (“Grantee”) detailing the project to be funded, eligible project costs, the amount of grant funding, the disbursement process, and all financial programmatic requirements including the amount of other funding as may be applicable. The Grant Agreement will detail timelines for the project based on the project schedule included in the application and the project approval. At the Authority’s sole discretion, the Authority may grant timeline extensions.

The Grant Agreement will indicate that, in order to comply with federal funding requirements, all projects must be fully completed, and all funds fully disbursed by 12/31/2026.  The Grantee shall be responsible for assuring the compliance of the project with all terms and conditions of the application, Grant Agreement, and the Program funding requirements.

Additionally, the Grant Agreement will state that if project development timelines are not met, the Authority may recapture or may require repayment of Grant funds and/or the Applicant may no longer be eligible for any remaining unused grant funds. The Authority will also require that the Grantee file a 5-year deed restriction on the property ensuring no change in the proposed project use utilizing the Authority’s required deed restriction language. The deed restriction will be released by the Authority after 5 years from final Project closeout.

Grant Funding Disbursements

Following execution of the Grant Agreement, Grant funds will be disbursed either (1) incrementally as eligible project expenses are incurred and may be prorated with other funding sources, if applicable, with the Authority’s standard construction retainage withheld until project completion or (2) in coordination with the other funder’s disbursement process.

Funding disbursement requests must be evidenced by documentation supporting that the expenses were incurred, work has been performed in accordance with prevailing wage and labor standards compliance requirements, and work was done consistent with Grant approval and eligible uses of Program funding.

Fees

No application fees will be charged for this Program.  

Additional Requirements and Information

Comprehensive information, including questions and EDA’s responses, about the Program is available at Real Estate Gap Financing Grant Program – NJEDA.

Questions concerning this Program or this Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to realestateinfo@njeda.gov.

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including but not limited to the following which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC),https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions including grant awards by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology. 

Click Here for PDF

Main Street Acquisition Support Grant (published September 24, 2024)
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the pilot Main Street Acquisition Support Grant (“Program”) on October 1, 2024 at 10:00am EST. This pilot grant Program will offer grant awards up to $50,000 to reimburse eligible NJ small businesses for closing costs related to the recent purchase of a New Jersey commercial property from which the small business will continuously operate. 

Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis, based on the date and time that the Authority receives the completed application. Applications will continue to be accepted until total funding pool is exhausted or for three years from the date applications are made available to the public, unless the Authority closes the application period earlier in order to modify or amend this product prior to launching a new phase.  

A $500 approval fee is required prior to execution of the grant agreement.

The application can be accessed online at: https://www.njeda.gov/main-street-acquisition-support-grant/.

Purpose and Overview

On January 7, 2021, Governor Phil Murphy signed the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA) into law, P.L. 2020, c. 156 (N.J.S.A. 34:1B-349 et seq.), as later amended by P.L. 2021 c.160 further improving the ERA programs. The ERA presents a strong recovery and reform package that addresses the ongoing economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and positions New Jersey to build a stronger and fairer economy that invests in innovation, in our communities, and in our small businesses, the right way with the protections and oversight that taxpayers deserve. Tax incentives and other investment tools are critical to economic development, and when used correctly they can drive transformative change that uplifts communities and creates new opportunities for everyone. One of the 15+ programs created by the ERA is the “Main Street Recovery Finance Program” (N.J.S.A. 34:1B-351 et seq), a small business support program under which individual financial assistance products were created with a common purpose of supporting the growth and success of small businesses in New Jersey. As of today, $227 million has been appropriated for the Main Street Recovery Fund, which funds several individual products.

On August 11, 2021, NJEDA’s Board approved special adopted rules creating the “Main Street Recovery Finance Program” (N.J.A.C. 19:31-5, effective date November 23, 2021). These rules established criteria for the Small Business Lease Assistance Grant, the Small Business Improvement Grant, the Main Street Micro Business Loan, the Main Street Lenders Grant, and the Small Business E-commerce Program.

On February 7th, 2024, the NJEDA Board approved the creation of the pilot “Main Street Acquisition Support Grant” Program, that is aligned with the grant and loan products under the Main Street Recovery Finance Program and related rules. The pilot Main Street Acquisition Support Grant Program will support eligible New Jersey small businesses that have made a substantial investment in a recently purchased New Jersey commercial building by providing up to $50,000 in grants to reimburse for closing costs. This liquidity infusion will also help support businesses’ operating needs during the early stages of ownership, thereby increasing the likelihood of survival and longevity for small businesses post-COVID.

Funding

Utilizing funding through the Main Street Recovery Fund, which was also created under the ERA, the Main Street Acquisition Support Grant is utilizing $5 million in funding. The Authority may increase total grant funding up to $10 million if demand exceeds the available funding of $5 million. Of the initial program funding pool of $5 million, 40% will be reserved for applicants that purchase commercial buildings located in one of the 715 eligible NJ Opportunity Zone census tracts. Should the program funding be increased, the additional funding would not be subject to the 40% set aside.

The potential award amount is based upon current information about funding availability; NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Program Details

This pilot Program aims to support eligible New Jersey small businesses seeking to operate and grow into newly purchased commercial properties by reimbursing closing costs up to $50,000.  The closing date of the purchased property must occur after the grant application is made available to the public. The grant application date must be no later than one year from the closing date of the purchased property. Applicants that apply in advance of a scheduled closing are ineligible for this grant.

As part of the process to acquire a commercial property, the small business would go through an underwriting and closing process and must close on a loan through a conventional lender, ensuring that the applicant meets the necessary debt service coverage ratio to qualify for the loan. For the purposes of this product, the Authority will consider a conventional lender to be any SBA lender, CDFI, MDI, bank, credit union, or any state, county, city administered loan with underwriting standards. Once the closing on the commercial property is complete, the small business owner would then be able to apply to NJEDA for this pilot grant award.

The small business must certify annually that it will continuously operate its commercial business for five years from the NJ project location/building that was purchased. This required five-year compliance term will begin after execution of the grant agreement. The small business may lease a portion of the building so long as the grant recipient is also operating from at least 1,000 square feet of the total usable square footage of the building devoted to commercial use at the time of signing the grant agreement.

In circumstances where the property was purchased, and at the time of signing the grant agreement, if major construction or major renovation has prevented the small business applicant from operating from the purchased property, the small business applicant must begin operating from at least 1,000 square feet of total usable square footage of the building devoted to commercial use no later than 12 months from the date of executing the grant agreement. During the first annual compliance period, the small business applicant will be required to certify that they continuously operate from the purchased property and NJEDA will collect a Certificate of Occupancy to confirm the construction and/or renovation has been completed. If at time of the initial annual compliance period and for the term of grant agreement, the small business applicant has not demonstrated and/or certified to continuously operating from at least 1,000 square feet of total usable square footage of the building devoted to commercial use, the repayment of all or a portion of the grant will be required.

NJEDA will place a 5-year deed restriction on the purchased property to restrict property transfer. The grantee may request that the deed restriction be released after the five-year compliance period and if the grantee remains in compliance with the grant agreement.

Real Estate Holding Company If the commercial property was newly purchased through a real estate holding company, the small business that will operate from the building will be the grant applicant and the real estate holding company will be the grant co-applicant. The small business applicant must either wholly own the real estate holding company, or the ownership of both entities, and percentages of ownership of both entities must be the same. If the real estate holding company that purchased the property is not wholly owned by the small business applicant or does not have the same owners and same ownership percentages as the small business applicant, the small business applicant will be ineligible for this product.  Additionally, the real estate holding company, if any, will be required to provide a five-year deed restriction on the property to restrict property transfer.

Eligibility and Program Requirements

As indicated above, the closing on the newly purchased New Jersey commercial property must have taken place after this grant Program application has been made open to the public.  (Note: The closing cannot be a refinance of an existing loan.)  The grant application date must be no later than one year from the closing date of the purchased property. 

Eligible applicants can be for-profit or non-profit entities and must meet the following requirements including, but not limited to:

  • -The applicant that is the small business that will operate from the purchased property must meet the SBA definition of a small business based on their NAICS code.
  • -Prior to NJEDA approval of a grant application, applicants must be in good standing on all financial assistance received from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and must be in substantial good standing with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and NJ Department of Environmental Protection.  If a compliance issue exists, the eligible business must have entered into an agreement with the respective department including a practical corrective action plan, as applicable.
    • -The small business applicant and real estate holding company co-applicant, if any, must be registered to do business in New Jersey.
  • -The small business applicant and the real estate holding company (co-applicant), if any, must provide a current Tax Clearance Certificate from the NJ Division of Taxation prior to receiving NJEDA approval.
  • -One grant per EIN up to $50,000 for a maximum of one location. Applicants are not eligible for multiple grants under the same EIN.
  • -NJEDA Small Business Lease Grant awardees are eligible for this product. Any time remaining on their compliance period for their lease grant will be added to the 5-year deed restriction for this product.

As stated above, if the real estate holding company that purchased the property is not wholly owned by the small business applicant or does not have the same owners and ownership percentages as the small business applicant, then the small business applicant will be ineligible for this product. The real estate holding company (co-applicant), if any, will be required to certify that it will provide a five-year deed restriction on the property to restrict a property transfer.

Further, the small business applicant/grantee is required to retain ownership and must certify annually to continuously operate its commercial business for five years from the purchased NJ project location/building. This five-year compliance period begins after execution of the grant agreement. (Please see below regarding major construction or renovations at the property.) The small business may lease a portion of the building, provided the grantee is also operating from at least 1,000 square feet of the total usable square footage of the building devoted to commercial use at the time of signing the grant agreement.

  • -If after the property was purchased and at time of signing the grant agreement, the applicant has acknowledged that at time of application that major construction or major renovation has prevented the small business applicant from operating from the purchased property, the small business applicant must begin operating from at least 1,000 square feet of total usable square footage of the building devoted to commercial use no later than 12 months from the date of executing the grant agreement.
  • -The small business applicant may be deemed ineligible if, at the time of application, they acknowledge that major construction or major renovations prevents their small business from operating from the purchased property, and that it will take more than 12 months for the small business to begin operating from the purchased property.

-During the first annual compliance period, the small business applicant will be required to certify that they continuously operate from at least 1,000 square feet of total usable square footage of the building devoted to commercial use. NJEDA will collect a Certificate of Occupancy to confirm the construction has been completed

As part of the process to acquire a commercial property, the small business applying for the grant (and operating from the property) must undergo a loan underwriting and closing process, in an arm’s length transaction with a conventional lender, to ensure that the small business can adequately demonstrate, to the lender, its ability to repay the loan for the newly purchased commercial property. For the purposes of the Main Street Acquisition Support Grant product, NJEDA will consider a conventional lender to be an SBA lender, Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Minority Depository Institution (MDI), bank, credit union, or any State of New Jersey Authority, New Jersey County, New Jersey City or New Jersey Municipality administered commercial loan with standard underwriting criteria. Properties purchased fully in cash, using seller financing, and/or hard money financing are not eligible for this grant.  At the time of application, applicants must provide supporting documentation to confirm ownership of each applicant entity and the applicant’s ownership of the property. This includes, but is not limited to, an affidavit of title and property deed. 

Since the grant is not exceeding the $50,000 threshold under ERA Main Street Recovery Program statute, the purchased property site will not be subject to New Jersey labor compliance requirements. Due to state statute, grantees operating from the purchased property must enforce minimum wage requirements for their employees. This means that each full-time or part-time employee, employed by the small business applicant operating from the purchased property, be paid not less than $15.00 per hour or 120 percent of the minimum wage fixed under subsection (a) of section 5 of P.L. 1966, c. 113 (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4), whichever is higher, except that the small business shall pay not less than 120 percent of the minimum wage to an employee who customarily and regularly receives gratuities or tips for the entire compliance period. Grantees will be required to certify annually for the term of the grant agreement that they are continuously operating out of the purchased property and that the small business applicant operating from the property are meeting the wage requirements per section 5 of P.L. 1966, c. 113 (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4), if they have employees.

 Disqualifying Conditions

In addition to not meeting the applicant, co-applicant, and property program eligibility requirements, conditions that will disqualify an applicant or co applicant from this pilot grant Program include, but are not limited to:

  • -The closing on the purchased property took place prior to grant application being made open to the public, has not occurred yet, or occurred after the grant application date.
  • -The grant application was submitted more than one year from the closing date of the purchase property.
  • -Property purchased is 100% residential use.
  • -The property purchased was vacant land, or a refinanced transaction.
  • -The small business applicant will not operate from at least 1,000 square feet of total usable square footage of the building devoted to commercial use at time of signing the grant agreement.
  • -The small business applicant may be deemed ineligible if, at the time of application, they acknowledge that major construction or major renovation prevents their small business from operating from at least 1,000 square feet of total usable square footage of the building devoted to commercial use, and that it will take more than 12 months for the business to begin continuously operating from the purchased property.
  • -The small business applicant, or real estate holding company (co-applicant) if applicable, will not certify to the five-year deed restriction required by the Main Street Acquisition Support Grant Program.
  • -The property will not be continuously operated by the small business applicant during the five-year compliance period that begins upon execution of the grant agreement.
  • -Ownership structure of the applicant and co-applicant are not aligned. 
  • -The small business applicant is a real estate holding company.
  • -Applicant or co-applicant is not in good standing with the NJ Department of Labor or NJ Department of Environmental Protection, or has a product that was approved and not in good standing with NJEDA.
  • -Applicant or co-applicant is a cannabis or cannabis licensed business.
  • -Applicant or co-applicant, or any person who controls the applicant or co-applicant entity, or owns or controls more than 1% of the stock of the applicant or co-applicant, is an officer or employee of any agency, authority, or instrumentality of the State of New Jersey.
  • -Businesses that are engaged in the following are not eligible for funding: the conduct or purveyance of “adult” (i.e., pornographic, lewd, prurient, obscene or otherwise similarly disreputable) activities, services, products or materials (including nude or semi- nude performances or the sale of sexual aids or devices); any auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of- business” or similar sale; sales by transient merchants, Christmas tree sales or other outdoor storage; or any activity constituting a nuisance.

Application Submission and Review Process

Applications are available online at https://www.njeda.gov/main-street-acquisition-support-grant/. After applications are received, they will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis until all funds are committed or program expires (3 years from Program launch), unless the Authority closes the application period earlier to modify or amend this product prior to launching a new phase.

NJEDA staff will review all applications for completeness and eligibility and will follow up with applicants to confirm the applicant’s ownership of the purchased property and for other additional information or documentation if needed. At the sole discretion of the Authority, staff may ask for clarification of the information included in the application, including, but not limited to, responses, supporting documentation, and attachments. If documentation is needed to complete the review of the grant application, then those documents requested must be submitted to EDA within 10 business days to prevent the administrative withdrawal of the grant application. If an applicant is non-responsive or not fully responsive to requests for documentation, the grant application will be administratively withdrawn in 10 business days.

Pursuant to the Main Street Recovery Finance Program rules (N.J.A.C. 19:31-5.4), the applicant (and co-applicant, if applicable) must provide a completed application which includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • -The name of applicant;
  • -The contact information of the applicant;
  • -The prospective future address of the applicant (if different);
  • -The organization type of the applicant;
  • -The principal products and services, and three-digit North American Industry Classification System Number;
  • -The New Jersey tax identification number;
  • -The Federal tax identification number;
  • -The most recent three (3) Federal tax returns filed (if applicable);
  • -A completed legal questionnaire disclosing all relevant legal matters in accordance with the Authority debarment and disqualification rules at N.J.A.C. 19:30-2;
  • -The total number of full-time and part-time employees of the applicant, in New Jersey at the time of application, and three months prior to the submission of the application;
  • -The comprehensive list of the applicant’s locations in New Jersey and the function performed at each location;
  • -Submission of a New Jersey tax clearance certificate, pursuant to P.L. 2007, c. 101;
  • -WR 30, payroll reports, or equivalent documentation for the quarter preceding submission of application;
  • -A deed that has been filed after the closing of the property;
  • -Copy of Affidavit of title;
  • -Copy of the full property appraisal;
  • -HUD-1 statements, closing disclosure, or settlement statements to verify closing costs.
  • -Supporting documentation to demonstrate the relationship between the real estate holding company (if applicable) and small business (applicant) to include, and is not limited, to partnership agreement, bylaws, formation documents, and/or operating agreement that confirms ownership structure and ownership percentages.
  • -A certification provided by the small business applicant and the real estate holding company, if any, that it will provide a five-year deed restriction on the property that restricts a property transfer;
  • -A certification provided by the small business applicant that it will operate from at least 1,000 sq ft of the total usable square footage of the property devoted to commercial use for the duration of the 5-year grant compliance period. (Please be advised that NJEDA will require applicants to provide information on an annual basis to ensure compliance.);
  • -A certification provided by the small business applicant that occupies and or operates from the property will pay employees 120% of the New Jersey minimum wage for the duration of the 5-year grant compliance period. (Please be advised that NJEDA will require applicants to provide information on an annual basis to ensure compliance.);
  • -A certification under the penalty of perjury from the applicant, or an authorized agent of the applicant, that the information provided in the application is true; and
  • -Any additional documentation or information as requested by the Authority.

Grant Award

Eligible applicants with a distinct EIN can receive one (1) grant of up to $50,000 for closing on a single eligible location. Applicants are not eligible for multiple grants under the same EIN. Only closing costs paid by the applicant or co-applicant are eligible to be reimbursed.

The grant amount will be determined by utilizing a HUD-1 statement (reference line 1400) or other satisfactory closing statements such as Closing Disclosures or Settlement Statements that identify all closing costs associated with the executed loan closing for the purchased property. The grant amount will be based off the closing costs paid by the applicant or co-applicant (real estate holding company, if any) after deducting the purchase price of the building, the purchase amount of the business, and any payoffs, and subject to the satisfaction of the NJEDA. Eligible applicants with a distinct EIN can receive one grant of up to $50,000 for closing on a single eligible location. Applicants are not eligible for multiple grants under the same EIN. Only closing costs paid by the small business applicant or the real estate holding company (co-applicant) are eligible to be reimbursed.

Grant Agreement

Once an applicant is approved for funding, the NJEDA will enter into a Grant Agreement with the applicant detailing the amount of grant funding and all financial program requirements.

The NJEDA will require that the purchased property remains occupied and operated by the grantee for a minimum of five (5) years, the grant agreement term. There is no minimum square footage that the commercial building must be in order to be eligible. A business may lease a portion of the building so long as the grant recipient is also operating from the building. NJEDA will not be requiring that the grant recipient occupy 51% of the building, based on the fact that this requirement is a barrier for small businesses in downtowns to be able to access the product as commercial properties within a downtown often have layouts in which a sizable portion of the building is inoperable space. However, NJEDA will require that the small business applicant operate from at least 1,000 square feet of the total usable square footage of the purchased property. There is no restriction on the size of the property that was purchased.

If the property is sold or fully leased, or the applicant no longer operates from at least 1,000 square feet, then repayment of the grant by the applicant of all or a portion of the grant may be necessary. Repayment of the grant will be prorated based on the years of compliance, with 20% reductions for each full year the applicant is compliant with the terms of the grant.

The deed restriction on the purchased commercial property may be released after five years if the applicant is compliant with the grant agreement. If the property is sold or fully leased out, or if the grantee no longer occupies the minimum of 1,000 square feet of the total usable square footage of the purchased property prior to satisfaction of the 5-year compliance period, repayment of all or a portion of the grant funds will be required.

In case of the sale of the property prior to satisfaction of the 5-year compliance period, repayment of all or a portion of the grant will be necessary. Repayment of the grant will be prorated based on the years of compliance, with 20% reductions for each full year the applicant is compliant with the terms of the grant.

In case of a grant default, the five-year compliance period and the term of the deed restriction will be extended for as long as the default remains outstanding and uncured. At the sole discretion of the NJEDA, Grantees may be able to cure a default by restoring its good standing under the grant agreement and satisfying the remaining (extended) compliance period, or by repaying all or a prorated amount of the grant, based on the years of compliance.

Grant Funding Disbursements

The Authority will fully disburse the grants only to the small business applicant after execution of the grant agreement.  The maximum grant amount is $50,000 and is limited to one grant per EIN, for a maximum of one location.

Post Closing Compliance

All grantees must certify annually, beginning 12 months after the execution of their grant agreement and for the term of the grant agreement, that the small business applicant is continuously operating out of the property and that the small business applicant is meeting the minimum wage requirements per section 5 of P.L. 1966, c. 113 (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56a4) if they have employees.

If after the property was purchased and at time of signing the grant agreement, the applicant has acknowledged that at time of application that major construction or major renovation has prevented the small business applicant from operating from the purchased property, the small business applicant must begin operating from at least 1,000 square feet of total usable square footage of the building devoted to commercial use from the purchased property no later than 12 months from the date of executing the grant agreement.

During the first annual compliance period, the small business applicant will be required to certify that they continuously operate from at least 1,000 square feet of the total usable square footage of the building devoted to commercial use, and NJEDA will collect a Certificate of Occupancy to confirm the construction has been completed.  If at time of the first annual compliance period and for term of grant agreement (5 years), the small business applicant has not demonstrated and/or certified to continuously operating from the purchased property, the repayment of all or a portion of the grant will be necessary.

Fees

A $500 approval fee is required after the application has been approved and prior to execution of the grant agreement.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Main Street Acquisition Support Grant is available at https://www.njeda.gov/main-street-acquisition-support-grant/

Questions concerning this program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to BusinessBanking@njeda.gov

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32‐60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked

Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), vhttps://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I‐49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis, cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D‐12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

Click here for full PDF

Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation Program – Phase II (Revised on September 24, 2024 with a correction to the day of the week the application will open, originally published on September 19, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the competitive grant program, Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation Program Phase II – Public Space Activation Product (“Program”) on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 10:00 AM EST.

Applications will be accepted during a competitive window and will close Monday, November 25, 2024 at 5:00 PM EST.

The application can be accessed at: Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (A.R.T.) Program – Phase II – NJEDA

The Program will make available grants between $100,000 and $500,000 to eligible nonprofit organizations with a 501c (3), 501c (6), or 501c (19) status based on scoring.  


español (Spanish)
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, los servicios de asistencia lingüística, gratuitos, están disponibles para usted enviando un correo electrónico a languagehelp@njeda.com.

اللغة (Arabic)
تنبيه: إذا كنت تتحدث  اللغة العربية، فإن خدمات المساعدة اللغوية مجانية متاحة لك عبر إرسال بريد إلكتروني إلى
languagehelp@njeda.com.

粵語 Traditional Chinese (Cantonese Chinese)
注意:如果您說粵語,可以透過傳送電子郵件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免費獲取語言協助服務。

普通语 Simplified Chinese (Mandarin Chinese)
注意:如果您说普通语,可以通过发送电子邮件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免费获取语言协助服务。

ગુજરાતી (Gujarati)
ધ્યાન આપો: જો તમે ગુજરાતી બોલતા હોય તો, તમારા માટે languagehelp@njeda.com પર ઈ-મેઈલ કરવાથી ભાષા સહાય સેવાઓ મફતામાં ઉપલબ્ધ છે. 

हिंदी (Hindi)
ध्यान दें: यदि आप हिंदी बोलते हैं, तो languagehelp@njpa.com पर ईमेल द्वारा, आप के लिए नि:शुल्क भाषा सहायता सेवाएं उपलब्ध हैं।

italiano (Italian)
ATTENZIONE: se parla italiano, può usufruire gratuitamente di servizi di assistenza linguistica scrivendo all’indirizzo languagehelp@njeda.com

한국어 (Korean)
알림: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스가 무료로 이메일 languagehelp@njeda.com을 통해 제공됩니다.

po polsku (Polish)
UWAGA: Jeśli mówisz po polsku, możesz uzyskać pomoc tłumacza bezpłatnie wysyłając e-mail pod adres languagehelp@njeda.com.

português (Portuguese)
ATENÇÃO: se você falar português, oferecemos serviços de apoio de idioma gratuitos. Envie um e-mail para languagehelp@njeda.com.

Tagalog
ATTENTION: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, magagamit mo ang libreng mga serbisyong tulong sa wika sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa languagehelp@njeda.com.

Purpose and Overview

This is a competitive grant program that will proactively deploy $15 million to catalyze community placemaking efforts through the creation of public space activation initiatives, as described below, by leveraging New Jersey’s arts and cultural sector as a creative force for change, specifically in downtowns of select municipalities. Downtowns and commercial corridors play a vital role in both urban and rural geographies, serving as economic engines for communities by empowering entrepreneurs, creating cultural hubs, and building community wealth.  This Program will aid in the recovery and continue to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic of these communities through arts and culture-focused placemaking efforts creating job-sustaining revenue for New Jersey’s Main Streets and communities by driving foot traffic to New Jersey’s most depleted commercial corridors.  

Funding

The Program will utilize $15 million in appropriated funding from the American Rescue Plan (“ARP”) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“SLFRF”) through the FY 2023 Budget Appropriations Act (P.L. 2022, c.49) identified as, “Arts Support and Placemaking Grant Program”, which will be assigned to the Economic Recovery Fund (“ERF”). The funds will support placemaking activities that invest in communities to build resilient towns and infrastructure statewide.

The potential award amount is based upon current information about funding availability; NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations with a 501c (3), 501c (6), or 501c (19) status. Municipalities, governments, and for-profit entities are not eligible to apply, although State institutions of higher education that are one of the eligible nonprofit organization categories are eligible.  Any Applicant that received a grant from Phase I of the A.R.T. program is ineligible for Phase II of the Program. Applications are limited to one application per EIN.

Applicants must be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (as defined by both Departments), and not be in default with other NJEDA financial assistance, prior to approval. In order to be eligible, Applicants must also provide a current tax clearance certificate at time of application (but subject to cure as described below) to demonstrate the applicant is in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation.

All projects will be subject to compliance with the Authority’s prevailing wage and affirmative action requirements and the Public Works Contractor Registration Act (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.48 et seq.), which requires all contractors, subcontractors, or lower tier subcontractors (including subcontractors listed in bid proposal) who bid on or engage in the performance of any public work in New Jersey to register with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Grants will be subject to federal Duplication of Benefits requirements. Applicants cannot have received state or federal funding to support a similar expense identified in the project costs at time of application and will have to submit a Duplications of Benefits certification at time of application.  Approvals will be contingent upon a cost reasonableness analysis that will be reviewed prior to approval and disbursement of grant funds.  (Please see discussion below regarding “Source and Use”.)

Program Requirements

At the time of application submission, applicants must certify and explain how the project meets the following federal eligibility considerations:

  • COVID Impact: Applicants must address how the proposal is responsive to the negative public health and/or economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and complies with all the ARP program requirements.
  • Capacity: The applicant must have experience implementing a minimum of one (1) project that is similar to the project being proposed. 
  • Long-term Impact: Competitive applicants must articulate via the application process how the proposal will have a positive long-term impact in its community and the overall benefit to the community at large.
  • Financial Viability: Must demonstrate long-term financial viability of the project and evidence that the project will be completed prior to 12/31/26.
  • U.S. Treasury reporting: Ability (if applicable or requested by US Treasury) to provide the U.S. Department of Treasury with relevant reporting for all project expenditures exceeding $1, specifically, all proposals must provide a narrative on how the project will address the impacts of COVID-19 in their municipality and why this capital expenditure is the most appropriate to address the economic harms caused by COVID.

At time of application, applicants will be required to submit a Project Timeline as evidence that the project can meet these federal program guidelines. Applicants will also respond to scored questions as to how the project can meet these federal program guidelines.

Additionally, applicants must ensure that the eligible Project location meets all of the following criteria:

  1. Projects must be in a commercial corridor defined for this program as being in either: a municipality designated as a “Target Urban Municipality” by the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency or designated as a Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) Eligible Municipality by the DCA, or a municipality with a designated Department of Transportation “Transit Village”;
  2. Projects must be in a municipality ranked in the Top 25% of the DCA 2023 Municipal Revitalization Index (“MRI”); and
  3. Projects must be located within 1.5 miles of an active New Jersey Transit, PATCO, PATH, or SEPTA passenger rail or light rail station operating in the same municipality, meeting above criteria. (Locations are based on NJ DCA geographic information systems passenger rail station point data.)

The 31 municipalities with areas eligible for the Program are: Asbury Park, Bayonne, Belleville, Burlington City, Camden, City of Orange, Clifton, Dover, Dunellen, East Orange, Egg Harbor City, Elizabeth, Garfield, Hackensack, Hammonton, Jersey City, Linden, Lindenwold, Long Branch, Netcong, New Brunswick, North Bergen, Passaic, Paterson, Pennsauken, Perth Amboy, Plainfield, Rahway, Riverside, Trenton, and Union City.

Note: Although Atlantic City and Newark are municipalities that also meet the above location eligibility criteria, both cities are ineligible for this phase of the Program due to additional funding each city received from Phase I of the A.R.T. program, including other FY24 budget appropriations each city has received through the Urban Investment Fund and the Atlantic City Revitalization Grant Program.

Eligible Uses

The Program will support the creation of public space activation initiatives, such as placemaking projects, public art installations, and arts-based projects. These activities may include, but are not limited to, art exhibitions, performances, festivals, parades, concerts or concert series, film and video screenings, and cultural programming.  Funding can also be granted to support operational costs for the applicant to execute art or placemaking projects.

Ineligible project activities may include, but are not limited to, acquisition costs of real estate, leases for real estate with expiration dates past December 31, 2026, incubator space, and real estate construction. Also, major infrastructure improvements are ineligible, such as capital expenditures, including, but not limited to, sewer, wastewater, electrical grid, road paving, drinking water systems, and structures that are intended to remain in place after December 31, 2026, including demolition to create vacant land.

Note: All applicants must submit a Source and Use analysis on the application’s Source & Use Form. The line items in the Source section must list all sources of project funding, including the funds requested in the Program grant application. If the amount requested on the Program grant application is not listed as a Source or if the Total Sources do not equal the Total Uses, then the Source & Use document will be considered incomplete, and the application will receive a non-discretionary declination.

Grant Amounts

The minimum grant award for the program is $100,000 and the maximum grant award is $500,000.

Staff will allocate funds to applicants based on scored ranking in the full dollar amount requested. This process will continue, in descending order of the application scores, always allocating the full dollar amount requested, until all program funds have been exhausted.

If there are remaining applicants, who cannot be funded at the full dollar amount requested, but have reached the minimum score of 65, NJEDA staff will notify the applicants in the descending order of their scores and specify the amount of project funds that are available.  These applicants will have 15 business days from the date of being notified by the Authority to both (1) accept the amount of funds available and (2) provide proof of an additional funding source to complete the proposed project budget. Proof can be in the form of a Letter of Intent, commitment letter, or bank statements. If the applicant decides not to accept the amount available or does not identify additional funding to complete the project, the application will be incomplete and deemed withdrawn by NJEDA.

Application Submission and Review Process

Applications will be accepted during a competitive application round through the program’s online application portal, which will be open from September 26, 2024, at 10 a.m. EDT November 25, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. EDT.  All applications will be reviewed following the closure of the application period. Applications are limited to one application per EIN. The Authority will perform a review of all submitted applications for eligibility documentation on or after the closing date of the application period.

Applicants will be given 10-business days to submit missing or incomplete documents related to eligibility requirements (“cure period”). If the application remains incomplete after the 10-day cure period, the application will be rejected without a right to appeal. If the application fails to establish program eligibility, the application will be declined.

Staff may also request additional responses from applicants to clarify eligibility documentation and application responses.

Scoring

Complete and eligible applications will be reviewed and scored by an evaluation scoring committee comprised of Authority staff members. Applications must achieve a minimum score of 65 points to be recommended to the Board for consideration of approval, which shall be from the highest scoring applicant to the lowest scoring applicant that meets the minimum score, as based on the following criteria:

  1. Describe the project, including cost estimates.
  • points for final plans and cost estimates.
  • 3 points for preliminary plans or estimates.
  • 0 points if otherwise.

2. Describe site use and access. Does the entity currently have the ability to use, or obtain permission to use, the site for the purposes described in the project?

  • points if the applicant has demonstrated site use and access.
  • 0 points if otherwise.

3. Describe how this project will increase foot traffic in the local community based on existing historic traffic data such as foot traffic measurements, ticket sales, audience counts, or other similar measures. 

  • points if the applicant has demonstrated significant increase in foot traffic [greater than 50% increase].
  • 3 points if partial increase [1% to 50% increase].
  • 0 points if no increase.

4. Explain the level of experience the applicant organization has with similar projects demonstrating their ability to complete the proposed project successfully.  Please include any previous projects that involved arts-based activity in spaces open to the public or municipal spaces and explain the status of those projects.

  • 15 points if two or more projects completed.
  • 8 points for one project completed; and
  • 0 points for no relevant examples.

5. Describe how your project will:

  1. Contribute to the resilience of your community post-COVID and mitigate COVID impacts.

Provide examples of how this project will mitigate COVID impacts and build community resilience through its short-term impact (within one (1) year of completion) on the local economy, as it relates to local businesses, local employment, local arts and culture production/performance, exhibition, preservation and/or education.  Provide additional examples of the same for the project’s long-term impact (beyond one (1) year of completion).

  • Up to 15 points for a response that demonstrates short & long-term impact.
  • 0 points if project fails to demonstrate engagement with the community in ways specified above. 

b. Activate vacant or underutilized space post-COVID.

The activation of vacant or underutilized spaces can include, but is not limited to, facilities, classrooms, production areas, galleries, exhibition and performance spaces, public and private buildings, or parts of buildings, public or private empty/vacant lots or parcels; streets, blocks and/or neighborhoods; public spaces such as parks, playgrounds, or arts installations that have been impacted by COVID.

  • Up to 10 points for a response that demonstrates activation of underutilized space.
  • 0 points if project fails to demonstrate engagement with the community in ways specified above. 

Up to 35 points TOTAL for 5 (a), (b), and (c).

6. Describe how the primary focus of the applicant organization is centered around arts and culture. Provide a narrative of no more than 250 words and no more than three (3) pieces of supporting documentation that show the organization’s focus.

Supporting documentation can include, but is not limited to, charter or formation documents; awards of other federal/state/local government and/or private/public philanthropic grants, awards, prizes or other benefits for arts and culture related activities or projects; membership documents in a local, state, national or international organization related to arts and culture advocacy, promotion or public service; proof of previous teaching or exhibition work related to arts and culture; participation in or collaboration on an academic, economic or government study related to arts and culture; annual programming documentation, annual report, annual financials and other documents that prove arts & culture focus.

  • 20 points if narrative and supporting documentation provided to demonstrate this is an Arts & Culture focused organization.
  • 0 points if it is not.

7. If the Applicant organization is partnering with an individual artist, artist collective, an arts and cultural non-profit, a municipal entity, a community group, or private sector entity, provide proof of partnership with a Letter of Intent approved by both entities that includes:

  1. the benefit that the partnership brings to the project
  2. commitment to the scope of the project
  3. the timeline for executing and completing the project,
  4. the expected final product, and

e) any other personal, material, or financial resources committed to the project (if applicable).

  • 10 points for letter of commitment from one or more partners.
  • 0 points for no letter of commitment from a partner.

Note: In the event that two or more applications score the same total number, the recommendation for award will be made based on number 1, as listed below. If the applications scores for number 1 are also the same, then recommendation for the award will be made to the highest scoring application based on number 2, as listed below. If the applications scores for number 2 are also equal, then the recommendation for the award will be made on the highest score based on number 3, as listed below.

  1. MRI Index- project host municipality with lowest MRI score will be recommended to the Board.
  2. Question 4- project with the higher score on question 4 (the level of experience the applicant organization has with projects of similar scope) will be recommended to the Board for award.
  3. Question 5- project with the higher score on question 5 (how the project will impact the local economy, activate vacant or underutilized space, and contribute to the resiliency of the community overall) will be recommended to the Board for award.

Grant Funding Disbursements

Under the Program, the applicant will receive the full grant disbursement upon execution of the Grant Agreement. The Authority will disburse funding only to the approved eligible applicant.

After the execution of the Grant Agreement, applicants will be required to submit quarterly reports until the project is completed. NJEDA will provide the applicant with a template that will include documentation indicating proper use of funds. The quarterly reports must include the summary of funds expended to date, a narrative detailing milestone(s) achieved and overall progress of the project, and proof of prevailing wage/ Affirmative Action compliance.

The applicant is responsible for assuring the compliance of the project with all terms and conditions of the application and the Program funding requirements. The Authority reserves the right to recapture any grant funds used for ineligible purposes.

Application Fees

No application fees will be charged for this Program.

Additional Requirements and Information

Comprehensive information about the Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation Program Phase II – Public Space Activation Product is available at Activation, Revitalization, and Transformation (A.R.T.) Program – Phase II – NJEDA.

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to ArtPhase2@njeda.gov.

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of  “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.

Click Here for PDF

Child Care Facilities Improvement Pilot Program – Phase 2 (published September 4, 2024)
Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting online applications for Phase 2 of the Child Care Facilities Improvement Pilot Program (“Program”) on September 16, 2024 at 10:00 AM. The application can be accessed at: https://www.njeda.gov/child-care-facilities-improvement-program-phase-2/.

The Program will make available grants between $10,000 and $20,000 to eligible Family Child Care homes (“FCCs”) registered with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (“NJ DCF”) for facility improvements that will contribute to the health, safety, accessibility and high-quality early childhood learning environments.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are exhausted or September 30, 2025, whichever is sooner. Applications will be reviewed and approved as described in the Application Submission and Review Process below.

 español (Spanish)
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, los servicios de asistencia lingüística, gratuitos, están disponibles para usted enviando un correo electrónico a languagehelp@njeda.com.

Purpose and Overview

Working families require reliable, safe, affordable, accessible, and quality child care and ensuring that parents have access to quality child care options that meet their specific needs is vital to contributing to a stronger and fairer economy for all. However, FCCs do not typically have access to the capital they would need to fund facility improvements.

The Program will help registered FCCs create high-quality learning environments by providing funding for furniture, fixtures, and equipment (“FFE”) that improve health, safety, accessibility and quality of the learning environment.  The Program will provide direct benefits to the FCC providers and will also have broader economic benefits:

• Provide funding to businesses that otherwise may not have access to resources to fund facility improvements. According to a study of home-based child care ownership nationwide, many are minority- and women-owned businesses.

• Promote healthy childhood environments for children, families, and child care providers.

• Engage FCC providers to participate in New Jersey’s child care quality improvement rating system, Grow NJ Kids.

• Target resources to communities of greater need due to historic disinvestment, through a set-aside for FCC providers located in Opportunity Zones and an eligibility requirement that applicants serve low-income children receiving Child Care Assistance subsidies.

Amount of Funding

The Program will utilize up to $5,000,000 in state funds from the ERF appropriated to NJEDA for the Child Care Facilities Fund in FY24.  The potential award amount is based upon current information about funding availability. NJEDA reserves the right to increase the number of awards should additional funds become available.

Up to 40 percent of total grant funding made available will be reserved for eligible applicants in Opportunity Zone eligible census tracts. If the Authority does not receive sufficient eligible applications from applicants in Opportunity Zone eligible census tracts prior to the application deadline, the Authority may use funds for grants to eligible applicants not located in Opportunity Zone eligible census tracts.  

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Program will be limited to FCCs registered with NJ DCF through their local New Jersey county Child Care Resource & Referral Agency (“CCR&R”). Licensed child care centers are not eligible to apply.  Applicants will be required to provide proof of registration with NJ DCF in effect as of the date of application submission. Applicants may be for-profit businesses or nonprofit organizations. There will be a limit of one grant award per registered FCC.

Applicants may own or lease the home from which the FCC operates. Landlords are not eligible for this program.

At the time of application, applicants must currently enroll, or have enrolled in the 12 months prior to application, at least one child receiving support through the Department of Human Serivces (“DHS”) Child Care Assistance Program (“CCAP”). During application review, the Authority will confirm  with DHS that each applicant has met this enrollment requirement. 

In the application, applicants must certify that they currently offer care for at least 6 hours per day, 5 days a week, 10 months of the year. Applicants must additionally certify that (a) they will enroll in DHS’ Grow NJ Kids Quality Rating Improvement System within one (1) year of the date of signing the grant agreement, if not already enrolled; and  (b) they will maintain registration with DCF to provide child care for two (2) years following signing of the grant agreement, which the Authority will verify with information provided by DCF.

In addition to the eligibility parameters stated above, the applicant must also be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (“DOL”), and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”). Applicants must provide a current Tax Clearance Certificate before approval to demonstrate that they are properly registered to do business in New Jersey and are in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation.

Eligible Uses

Grants can only be used for prospective costs to purchase Furniture, Fixture, and Equipment (“FFE”). The aggregate amount of all quotes for eligible costs will be used to determine the grant amount, with a minimum eligible project cost of $10,000 and a maximum eligible project cost of $20,000. The Program will not provide reimbursement for costs already incurred prior to signing a grant agreement.

Applicants will be required to submit a narrative describing how the requested FFE fits within the eligibility categories: Health, Safety, and Accessibility; and/or High-Quality Learning Environment. This can include a description of why the requested FFE is needed, where in the home it will be located, and how it will improve health, safety, accessibility, or the quality of the learning environment. Applicants will also be asked to submit photos to support the FFE request, showing existing FFE that will be replaced and/or where new FFE will be located.

The table below provides illustrative examples of potential eligible FFE under each category. Applicants may propose FFE beyond this list, subject to the review and approval of NJEDA, but all FFE must fit within one (1) of the eligible use categories. Shipping and taxes for eligible FFE are also eligible costs that can be funded within the approved grant amount.

Health, Safety, and AccessibilityHigh Quality Learning Environment
-Smoke detectors
-Child-proofing mechanisms
-Safety barriers for stairs
-Replacing broken/hazardous furniture, fixtures, or equipment
-Replacing appliances used in food storage, food preparation, or laundry for child care
-Child-friendly furniture
-Diaper-changing units
-Sleeping cots/cribs
-Stepstools for sink
-Low shelving for play area
-Soft/comfortable furniture
-Rugs
-Classroom materials
-Playground equipment (not requiring installation)

Ineligible Uses

NJEDA staff will determine whether the requested FFE is eligible. Applicants will be allowed to substitute eligible FFE for any FFE deemed ineligible during the cure period described in the Application Submission and Review Process below. Ineligible FFE requests will not be included in the grant award.

Examples of ineligible requests include, but are not limited to:

  • Repairs, renovations, or construction (which includes construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration, repair work, or maintenance work) or installation of FFE requiring construction with a contract value of $2,000 or more;
  • FFE that is not directly related to the care of children (e.g. a computer for the FCC provider to use for professional development courses); and
  • Proposed FFE uses that do not improve health, safety, accessibility or quality of the learning environment.

Grant Amounts

The minimum grant amount is $10,000 per registered FCC with a maximum grant amount of $20,000 per registered FCC. The grant amounts are calculated based on the aggregate amount of all quotes for eligible FFE, including shipping and taxes, and for installation of FFE requiring construction with a contract value under $2,000.

Application Submission and Review Process

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funding is exhausted or until September 30, 2025, whichever is sooner.  To apply, an applicant must register for and/or log into the NJEDA’s online application portal, complete all required application questions, and upload required documents.

The application process for the Program will determine whether the applicant entity is eligible (e.g., is a registered FCC that currently enrolls or has enrolled in the prior 12 months at least one child receiving support through CCAP, providing full-time care, and in substantial good standing with DEP and DOL) and whether the FFE the applicant proposes purchasing fits within one of the two eligible use categories.

In the application, the Authority will request information and certifications from the applicant including, but not limited to:

  • Evidence of applicant’s DCF Certificate of Registration.
  • Certification that the applicant currently enrolls, or enrolled in the 12 months prior to application, at least one child receiving assistance through the Child Care Assistance Program.
  • Certification that the applicant offers care for at least 6 hours per day, 5 days a week, 10 months of the year.
  • Certification that the applicant commits to enroll in DHS’ Grow NJ Kids Quality Rating Improvement System within one (1) year of the date of signing the grant agreement, if not already enrolled.
  • Certification that the applicant commits to maintaining registration with DCF to provide child care for two (2) years following signing of the grant agreement, which will be verified by the Authority with DCF.
  • A detailed description of proposed FFE purchase(s) and how they fit within one of the two eligibility categories.
  • Itemized quotes that detail the cost(s) of proposed FFE purchase(s). This can be a formal bid from a vendor and/or printouts/screenshots of shopping carts with prices from online retailer(s) for item(s) to be purchased.  For taxes, shipping, and installation costs to be included when calculating the grant amount (subject to the limits described above), those costs must be included in the quote. (Please see “Grant Disbursement” section for further discussion regarding installation.)
  • Photos and/or video of the space(s) where the proposed FFE will be located in the FCC home.

The certifications described above will be included in the grant agreement with the possibility for repayment by the FCC provider if the applicant made a misrepresentation that is material or the applicant does not adhere to the requirements in the certifications, at the discretion of the Authority based on the best interests of the Authority and the State. The applicant is required to notify the Authority in writing (email or letter)  and describe any circumstances that may impact the continuation of child care services in the FCC home. The Authority shall review the notification and determine whether to require a grantee to return or repay the amount of grant funds they have received from the Authority under the Program.

Applications will be reviewed for completeness, applicant eligibility, and requested FFE eligibility in the order in which they are received. At each stage of application review, if Authority staff has questions about the application, or if staff determine an applicant did not submit all required materials, staff will request a clarification or provide the applicant with an opportunity to cure missing information or documentation. Applicants will be given (15) fifteen business days to provide a complete response, with an additional 15-business-day extension for applicants that request the additional extension or otherwise timely respond but need additional time. If at the end of this period the application remains incomplete, the application will be rejected without the right of appeal. Applications will be approved in the order that staff determine that an application is complete and eligible, which will be the earlier of: (1) staff performing a review (in the order of application submission) of an application and determining that the application is complete (that is, does not need any cure or clarification) or (2) staff determining that an application is complete based on a satisfactory cure or clarification.

Grant Agreement

Upon approval of a grant award by the Authority, the Authority will enter into a Grant Agreement with the FCC provider detailing the awarded grant amount and other applicable terms.

The Authority reserves the right to conduct site visits, as deemed appropriate by the Authority, to confirm that funds are being used in accordance with eligible uses for the Program.

Grant Funding Disbursements

Grant funds will be provided to eligible FCC providers in two disbursements in accordance with the following schedule.  

  • 1st Disbursement: Fifty (50) percent of the grant amount will be disbursed upon signing a Grant Agreement between NJEDA and the eligible FCC provider. After purchasing eligible FFE with the funds within three months from the initial disbursement, the Grantee must submit to the Authority satisfactory evidence of completed purchase and payment totaling an amount equal to or higher than the initial disbursement.
  • 2nd Disbursement: The remaining fifty (50) percent of the grant amount will be disbursed upon the Authority’s review and approval of the Grantee’s submission of receipts as proof of purchase of eligible FFE that were purchased with the funds of the first disbursement. For the second disbursement, the Grantee must submit proof of purchase of eligible FFE totaling an amount equal to or higher than the total grant amount, less the total of previously submitted eligible receipts,within three months of this disbursement.
  • A grantee that does not submit proof of purchase that satisfies program requirements within the time required in the Grant Agreement will not be eligible to receive a second disbursement.  Such failure to submit adequate proof will be an event of default, and NJEDA may demand that the grantee  pay back all or part of the Grant award.

If an applicant submits an invoice for installation of FFE that included construction, the invoice must provide an itemized breakdown of the costs. If the itemized breakdown shows that the construction cost was less than $2,000, the costs will be eligible. Otherwise, the invoice, and all other invoices under the same contract, will be ineligible to count toward the grant amount and the Grantee will be responsible for the full cost of that contract.

Fees    

No application fees will be charged for this program.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Child Care Facilities Improvement Pilot Program – Phase 2, including a Frequently Asking Questions document, is available at https://www.njeda.gov/child-care-facilities-improvement-program-phase-2/.

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to CustomerCare@njeda.gov. Answers to submitted questions will be added to the Frequently Asked Questions document as applicable.

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of  “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions.   

Click here for full PDF

Urban Investment Fund Grant Program (Revised on August 30, 2024, originally published on May 15, 2024. Revision extends the application deadline from September 23, 2024 5:00pm EST to November 1, 2024 5:00pm EST. There are no other revisions made to the previously posted NOFA and the Urban Investment Fund Grant Pilot Program.”)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA” or “Authority”) will begin accepting applications for the pilot Urban Investment Fund Grant Program (“Program”) on May 22, 2024 at 10:00am ESTApplications must be submitted by November 1, 2024 at 5:00pm. The application can be accessed at: Urban Investment Fund Grant Program – NJEDA.

The Program will make available $38,198,148 to the six eligible municipalities (Camden, New Brunswick, Newark, Passaic, Paterson, and Trenton) to implement a revitalization strategy designed to increase foot traffic and commercial activity within a commercial corridor area by supporting, undertaking, and concentrating eligible real estate related projects within the identified area.  Only one application for funding within a municipality may be submitted.

Applications will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility on a rolling basis. There is no application fee for this program. 

 español (Spanish)
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, los servicios de asistencia lingüística, gratuitos, están disponibles para usted enviando un correo electrónico a languagehelp@njeda.com.

اللغة (Arabic)
تنبيه: إذا كنت تتحدث  اللغة العربية، فإن خدمات المساعدة اللغوية مجانية متاحة لك عبر إرسال بريد إلكتروني إلى
languagehelp@njeda.com.

粵語 Traditional Chinese (Cantonese Chinese)
注意:如果您說粵語,可以透過傳送電子郵件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免費獲取語言協助服務。

普通语 Simplified Chinese (Mandarin Chinese)
注意:如果您说普通语,可以通过发送电子邮件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免费获取语言协助服务。

ગુજરાતી (Gujarati)
ધ્યાન આપો: જો તમે ગુજરાતી બોલતા હોય તો, તમારા માટે languagehelp@njeda.com પર ઈ-મેઈલ કરવાથી ભાષા સહાય સેવાઓ મફતામાં ઉપલબ્ધ છે. 

हिंदी (Hindi)
ध्यान दें: यदि आप हिंदी बोलते हैं, तो languagehelp@njpa.com पर ईमेल द्वारा, आप के लिए नि:शुल्क भाषा सहायता सेवाएं उपलब्ध हैं।

italiano (Italian)
ATTENZIONE: se parla italiano, può usufruire gratuitamente di servizi di assistenza linguistica scrivendo all’indirizzo languagehelp@njeda.com

한국어 (Korean)
알림: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스가 무료로 이메일 languagehelp@njeda.com을 통해 제공됩니다.

po polsku (Polish)
UWAGA: Jeśli mówisz po polsku, możesz uzyskać pomoc tłumacza bezpłatnie wysyłając e-mail pod adres languagehelp@njeda.com.

português (Portuguese)
ATENÇÃO: se você falar português, oferecemos serviços de apoio de idioma gratuitos. Envie um e-mail para languagehelp@njeda.com.

Tagalog
ATTENTION: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, magagamit mo ang libreng mga serbisyong tulong sa wika sa pamamagitan ng pag-email sa languagehelp@njeda.com.

Purpose and Overview

The Program’s goals are to catalyze and support revitalization in key commercial corridor areas by investing in projects that transform commercial corridors into vibrant 24-hour commercial centers and respond to evolving market conditions, such as hybrid and remote work, by funding activations and development that will in turn increase residents, visitors, and/or office workers and to support investment within key commercial corridors and promote strong, resilient, and equitable economic recoveries. This Program will expand investment in communities by working to activate underutilized, distressed, or vacant buildings for projects to promote equitable economic growth and urban community development.  Recognizing that resources can be limited in distressed municipalities, this Program provides additional grant support for recovery from negative COVID-19 economic impacts to ensure the local community has the necessary resources to undertake revitalization projects and have long term success.

Eligible municipalities/applicants, as defined below, would identify the key commercial corridor area and develop a revitalization strategy approach designed to increase foot traffic and commercial activity for the identified Corridor.  The applicants would then identify a minimum of 2 interrelated projects to undertake, which are in alignment with their vision statement and are eligible project types/uses (see below).

Funding for the Program is provided by Governor Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Act (“Act”) through an allocation from the American Rescue Plan (“ARP”) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (“SLFRF”).  The Act allocated significant State funding to the Authority for numerous strategic economic development investments to support key industries, advance the innovation economy, continue to bolster recovery, and spur statewide growth. These strategic investments include $50 million appropriated for the “Urban Investment Fund”, of which $38,198,148 is to create the Urban Investment Fund Grant Program.  Upon receipt from the State, the Authority will deposit the funds into the Economic Recovery Fund.

Program Details

Identification of Commercial Corridor Area and Revitalization Strategy

Eligible municipalities will identify a key commercial corridor area (“Corridor”) for revitalization. These Corridors have experienced negative impacts from the COVID19 pandemic such as loss of foot traffic and decreased economic activity due to work-from-home trends and increased online retail spending. The Corridor would typically be in a downtown location and the Applicant will identify the borders of the Corridor. At a minimum, the Corridor should have active commercial activity and/or have zoning allowing for as-of-right commercial use on the ground floor of at least 50% of buildings in the identified Corridor.

Once the Corridor has been identified, eligible municipalities would develop their revitalization strategy for investing in that  Corridor to help mitigate the economic harms/losses resulting from the pandemic and stimulate recovery by promoting economic development projects to increase foot traffic and local spending in that area (“Revitalization Strategy”). The Revitalization Strategy would describe the public open process that the municipality undertook to identify and determine the projects from the eligible project types (see below) for which they would request Program Grant funding. The Revitalization Strategy should also indicate other projects that could be undertaken and/or additional partners and stakeholders involved in community or business activities in the identified key commercial Corridor area.

As discussed below, the applicants would then identify a minimum of 2 interrelated projects to undertake, which are in alignment with their vision statement and are eligible project types/uses (as described below).

Eligibility

  • Eligible applicants are defined as municipalities that meet BOTH of the following criteria (Note: excluding Atlantic City which received its own FY 2024 State Budget Appropriation from ARP SLFRF): Top 5% of municipalities based on Commuter-Adjusted Population (2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates)
    • This is “Daytime Population” which is the calculation of Total Resident Population + Total Workers Working in Area – Total Workers Living in Area.
  • Top 5% of municipalities within the 2023 Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI). The MRI serves as the State’s official measure and ranking of municipal distress. The MRI ranks New Jersey’s municipalities according to eight separate indicators that measure diverse aspects of social, economic, physical, and fiscal conditions in each locality. The MRI is used as a factor in distributing certain “need based” funds.

Based on the above criteria, the following 6 municipalities would be eligible to apply for funding: Camden, New Brunswick, Newark, Passaic, Paterson, and Trenton.

Only one (1) application per eligible municipality may be submitted as evidenced by a letter from the eligible municipality as described below. Eligible municipalities may designate a municipal entity, county entity, or a not-for-profit local economic and community development entity to be the applicant on behalf of the municipality. A  letter from the municipality designating such an entity is required  as part of the application (see below for more specific information).

Additional applicant requirements:

Must be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at the time of application to be eligible. A current tax clearance certificate must be provided prior to approval to demonstrate the applicant is in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Division of Taxation, unless the applicant is not required to register with the Division of Taxation.

Eligible Uses

The Program will allow for several types of projects and uses, as described below, (collectively referred to as “Projects”) to be funded within the Corridor as part of the municipal Revitalization Strategy. Applicants must include a minimum of two projects from the following list in their application:

  • Building Rehabilitation Projects – rehabilitation/renovation of a blighted, underutilized, partially vacant, or vacant building (could include substantial or minor rehabilitation, reactivating vacant space, addressing code violations, interior building reconfiguration/fit out) for use as a commercial or mixed-use building with a deed restriction to be required ensuring no change in the proposed project use for five (5) years; Maximum funding of $3.5 million per building; not for new construction.
  • Building Reuse Studies – such as building conversion analysis from office to commercial or mixed-use; or adaptive reuse study; or other building analysis; Funding cannot be used for physical improvements/construction work. Maximum funding of $200,000 per study and maximum of three (3) studies per applicant.
  • Public Space Use Investments – Funding may be provided for permanent or semi-permanent physical improvements for projects such as parklets, barrier structures, stages, active use equipment, pedestrian plazas, pocket parks; Funding cannot be used for programming/operational costs of the space; space/property must be either outdoor publicly owned space or outdoor space under agreement (operating agreement, lease, easement, etc.) with a public entity for public use that would function as one of the uses listed above; space/property must be predominantly accessible/open to the public for public use the majority of the time for a minimum five (5) years; Maximum funding of $1.5 million per project.

Per US Treasury deadlines and federal SLFRF requirements, all Program funds must be fully expended by December 31, 2026. In order to meet these timelines, it is anticipated that Projects included in any application for Program funding would be fully completed by September 30, 2026.  Applicants must confirm in the application that they are aware and agree that the real estate projects proposed in their application can be completed by December 31, 2026.

Projects that have started construction are not eligible. Construction, including demolition and remediation, cannot start until approval. All projects will be subject to compliance with New Jersey prevailing wage law and the Public Works Contractor Registration Act (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.48 et seq.), which requires all contractors, subcontractors, or lower tier subcontractors (including subcontractors listed in bid proposal) who bid on or engage in the performance of any public work in New Jersey to register with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Building Rehabilitation Projects that are 100% residential are not eligible but mixed-used development projects are eligible and (1) any residential portion must comply with the 20% reservation for low- and moderate-income households required by N.J.S.A. 52:27D-329(b); and (2) should have at least 20% of the total square footage or the entire ground level or entire floor of the building dedicated to a commercial/non-residential use. Building Rehabilitation Projects that are for governmental or educational uses are ineligible.

Program grant funding can only be used for the real estate project costs specifically approved based on the application, Authority review, and funding grant agreement. Project costs may include hard construction costs with a maximum 10% contingency; soft costs not exceeding 20% of total project costs; and developer fee not exceeding 10% of total project costs or as otherwise allowed by another State agency providing funding to a project. Acquisition funding is not eligible nor are operating costs. All Project costs and Grant funding are subject to federal Duplication of Benefits requirements and a cost reasonableness analysis will be undertaken by the Authority prior to Project approval.

Grant Amounts

The minimum grant funding is $1,000,000 per eligible municipality.  The maximum grant funding for eligible municipalities is based on the applicable commuter-adjusted population.:

  • A maximum grant of $7 million is available for municipalities with commuter-adjusted population over 100,000.
  • A maximum grant of $5,732,716  for municipalities with commuter-adjusted population under 100,000.

Program Grant funding may not exceed 80% of the total of all project costs within an approved application.

Note: Please see the Grant Agreement section outlining potential actions, including recapture or repayment of Grant funds, that the Authority may pursue if timelines for meeting project milestones are not met.  

Only one (1) application proposal may be submitted per eligible municipality.

The potential award amount is based upon current information about funding availability. NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Application Submission and Review Process

 The eligible municipalities identified above will be able to submit an online application seeking Program Grant funding up to the maximum amounts based on the commuter-adjusted population size category. This will be a rolling grant application process, not competitively scored. In order to meet federal funding expenditure timing requirements, eligible applicants will have up to four months to submit an application. The Authority, at its sole discretion, may extend the application submission deadline by up to 2 months.

As part of a Program application, applications for Program Grant funding must identify and describe the Corridor and demonstrate that there is an overall Revitalization Strategy for the Corridor in alignment with Program criteria. Applications would also request grant funding for specific eligible Projects. The online application must include, but is not limited to, the following information:

  • Narrative describing key commercial corridor area – define area as to streets/boundaries, must be a primarily commercial area; describe the neighborhood and surrounding area; explain why and how this commercial corridor area was selected (process and/or rationale); what are the current COVID-19 related negative economic impacts (existing conditions of vacancy, reduced traffic, etc.); how negative impacts can be addressed/ameliorated; benefits and long term impacts to the area and the community.
  • Description and details of the proposed strategy for the overall commercial corridor revitalization including what types of projects are needed; what stakeholders/partners are involved that will undertake projects or be part of overall approach to address decreased foot traffic and economic activity; describe benefits to the area and the community for implementing this strategy; process undertaken to identify and determine which projects would be included in the application for grant funding; include a narrative on how the proposed Revitalization Strategy and Projects will address the impacts of COVID-19; and why this capital expenditure is the most appropriate to address the economic harms caused by COVID-19.
  • Overall Application Budget Sources and Eligible Uses – this would include all Projects within the application, indicate the Grant funds being requested per Project, and identify other funding sources to provide minimum 20% of total costs of all projects within the application
  • Strategy Implementation Timeline –showskey milestones are reasonable for (1) start of Projects to be undertaken, (2) securing of required additional funding, (3) construction progress, and (4) evidence completion of each Project before September 30, 2026. (Note that in order to ensure that federal expenditure deadlines are met, it is anticipated that all Projects to be undertaken with Grant funding will be fully completed by September 30, 2026.)
  • Applicant’s experience and capacity to undertake and oversee the overall Revitalization Strategy and to monitor and ensure completion of the proposed Projects.
  • For each Project that is to be funded with Grant funds, provide project narrative including scope of work to be done/plan for rehabilitation if applicable; owner and developer information and experience including required disclosures and certifications; evidence of or path to site control; financial viability related information such as sources and uses budget, evidence of or ability to secure other funding, proforma if relevant; explanation of why these grant funds are needed; project development timeline.
  • If a municipality is designating a municipal entity, county entity, or a not-for-profit local economic and community development entity to apply on their behalf, a letter from the municipality (Mayor or their municipal employee designee) designating such entity is required.  The letter should also indicate approval of the application and the projects within the application.

Applications will first be reviewed for application completeness to ensure all necessary Application information and documents are submitted and complete. At the sole discretion of the Authority, staff may ask for clarification of the information included in the application, including but not limited to narrative responses, supporting documentation, and attachments. Additionally, applicants will be given ten (10) business days to cure any deficiencies.

All applications will be reviewed by Authority staff to confirm that sufficient information and details regarding the above required items have been satisfactorily included and are consistent with the Program’s Board Memo, as follows:

  • Key commercial corridor area has been designated and description of COVID-19 related negative economic impacts has been provided;
  • Overall Revitalization Strategy outlines plan to address the negative impacts and increase foot traffic and economic activity within the Corridor;
  • Proposed Projects to be undertaken with Grant Funds are eligible as outlined herein;
  • Applicant and/or Project developers have provided evidence of sufficient capacity and experience to undertake the revitalization strategy and Projects;
  • Financial information provided evidences reasonableness of proposed costs and ability to provide or secure minimum matching 20% of total costs of all projects within the application;
  • Timelines to undertake the strategy and complete the proposed Projects are reasonable and evidence completion before September 30, 2026.

A cost reasonableness analysis will be completed prior to any Project being approved. Additionally, the Authority will undertake project financial gap analysis to ensure reasonable profit/returns.

Following application submission and determination by staff of completeness, eligibility, and conformance with Program requirements per the above review factors for funding considerations, all applications will be presented to the Board for funding consideration. To ensure that federal expenditure deadlines are met, staff recommendations to the Board for approval of applications will include timelines and anticipated project development milestones to be met. Further, the Authority will state that if timelines for project milestones are not met, then the Authority may :

  • Allow for reallocation of the Grant funds to a different Project; and/or
  • Recapture or require repayment of Grant funds; and/or
  • Advise that the Applicant may no longer be eligible for any remaining unused Grant funds.

Following Board approval, the Authority will issue an Approval letter listing requirements and timelines for submission of required documents and information required to proceed to a Grant Agreement. Such required documentation may include, but is not limited to, the following: evidence of site control and site ownership for each Project; Project developer organizational documents and certifications; Project budgets; evidence of other financing; project development milestones and timelines; general contractor information; and evidence of required insurance.

Applicants will be given sixty (60) calendar days, which may be extended up to an additional sixty (60) calendar days by the Authority at its sole discretion, to submit required documentation. If an approved Applicant does not submit requested information within the given timeline, the Authority’s approval will  be withdrawn, and the Projects will  not proceed.

Grant Agreement

Following Board approval and upon satisfactory submission in a timely manner of Approval Letter documents and conditions, the Authority will enter into a Grant Agreement (“Grant Agreement”) with the Applicant municipality. The municipality shall be responsible for assuring the compliance with all terms and conditions of the application, Grant Agreement, and the Program funding requirements.  No construction can have started on any Project prior to execution of a Grant Agreement.

The Grant Agreement will include descriptions of the Corridor and the Revitalization Strategy, each separate Project to be funded with Grant funds, eligible Project costs, the amount of Grant funding, and all financial programmatic requirements including the amount of other funding as may be applicable.

The Grant Agreement will detail state and federal requirements . All Projects that are developed/redeveloped with the Urban Investment Fund Grant Program funding shall be subject to compliance with New Jersey prevailing wage law and compliance with other labor standards requirements, as well as other state requirements, which may be applicable depending on project details and funding amounts including New Jersey Executive Order 215 of 1989 regarding Environmental Assessments.

For Building Rehabilitation projects, the Authority will require that the applicant file a 5-year deed restriction on the property utilizing the Authority’s required restriction language. The deed restriction will be released by the Authority after five (5) years from final Project closeout.

The Grant Agreement will detail timelines and milestones to be met for the completion of each Project as part of the overall Grant funding. At the Authority’s sole discretion, the Authority may grant timeline or milestone extensions. The Grant Agreement will indicate that to comply with federal funding requirements, all Projects must be fully completed, and all funds fully expended by  December 31, 2026.

Should any Project not be able to meet key milestone dates, then the Municipality may request a modification in Project scope or request approval of an alternative Project. The Authority, at its sole discretion, will consider such a request and may approve a Project modification under delegated authority.

The Grant Agreement will also indicate that if timelines for meeting project milestones are not met, then the Authority may recapture or may require repayment of Grant funds and/or the Applicant may no longer be eligible for any remaining unused grant funds.

The Grant Agreement will detail the funding disbursement process.

Grant Funding Disbursements

Following the execution of the Grant Agreement, Grant funds will be disbursed either incrementally as eligible Project expenses are incurred and may be prorated with other funding sources, if applicable, with the Authority’s standard construction retainage withheld until project completion or grant funds may be disbursed in coordination with the other funder’s disbursement process. Funding disbursement requests must be evidenced by documentation supporting that the expenses were incurred, work has been performed in accordance with prevailing wage and labor standards compliance requirements, and work was done consistent with Grant approval and eligible uses of Program funding.

Applicants will be responsible for and required to ensure that all Grant Agreement requirements between the Authority and applicant are subsequently imposed on the Project developers through separate funding agreement(s) between the applicant and the Project developers.

Fees

Pursuant to EDA’s revised fee rules, no application fee will be charged.

Additional Requirements and Information

Comprehensive information about the Urban Investment Fund Grant Program is available at

Urban Investment Fund Grant Program – NJEDA

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to realestateinfo@njeda.gov.

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including but not limited to the following which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC),

https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions. 

Click Here for PDF

Green Workforce Training Grant Challenge (Published August 1, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will begin accepting applications for the competitive Green Workforce Training Grant Challenge program at 10:00 a.m. EDT August 8, 2024 AND WILL CLOSE ON October 8, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The application is open for 61 calendar days, including federal holidays.  A total of $7 million will be available through this program, with minimum and maximum award amounts set at $250,000 and $1.5 million, respectively. The application can be accessed at: Green Workforce Grant – NJEDA

Purpose

This grant opportunity is seeking applicants that will aide in implementing innovative workforce training and skills programs focused on strengthening and diversifying New Jersey’s green economy talent pipeline.

Overview

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority seeks to strengthen the state’s workforce to ensure all New Jerseyans can benefit from the economic and workforce opportunities presented by the State’s burgeoning green economy, as described below. The Green Workforce Training Grant Challenge (“Grant Challenge”) is a competitive funding opportunity that will award grants to selected applicants that can provide skill development, workforce training, job placement, and other related services to implement workforce development initiatives in green economy sectors. Applicants will also be expected to prioritize New Jersey’s Overburdened Communities (as defined by NJ’s Environmental Justice Law, N.J.S.A. 13:1D-157) and provide wraparound or other supportive services to foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and retention in the green economy workforce. Grants will be awarded to proposals that achieve the highest overall scores based on the scoring criteria discussed below.

Funding Source

A total of $7 million will be available through this Grant Challenge program, ranging from minimum award of $250,000 to maximum award of $1.5 million.  The funds consist of $2.65 million provided through the Offshore Wind Sector Initiatives Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the NJEDA and the NJ Board of Public Utilities (October 12, 2023) and $4.35 million from the Green Council MOU between NJEDA and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (March 28, 2024).

NJEDA will deposit the funds into NJEDA’s Economic Recovery Fund and utilize the grant-making powers as defined in the New Jersey Economic Recovery Fund Act per N.J.S.A. 34:1B-7.13 a(12) to disburse funds to each awardee per the disbursement schedule. The statutory provision permits grant funding for initiative-based activities which stimulate growth in targeted industries as defined by NJEDA’s Board or supports increasing diversity and inclusion within the State’s entrepreneurial economy.

The potential award amount is based upon current information about funding availability; NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Proposal Scope

Applicants must submit proposals for the application that outline compelling plans to:

  • Implement an existing program or new program that will allow New Jerseyans to access workforce opportunities in green economy industries by providing tangible skills sought by employers in those industries. Components of programs must include direct workforce training/skill development, and, where relevant, support services such as access to career services, mentorship, family services (such as childcare, eldercare, or other similar services), counseling, transportation, etc. Proposed initiatives must focus on one or two (but no more than two) of the following industries:
    • Offshore Wind (OSW)
    • Other Renewable Energy Technologies
    • Green Design & Construction
    • Environmental and Green Infrastructure
    • Grid Resilience
    • Clean Transportation
    • Energy Efficiency
  • Connect with industry and other stakeholders to design and/or implement a program that prepares and connects participants with job opportunities in the green economy in high-growth and in-demand occupations. Applicants are expected to demonstrate that their proposed program will provide meaningful career opportunities through labor market research, employer and industry engagements, and other relevant analysis.
  • Develop and/or utilize outreach, recruitment best practices, program design approaches, and wraparound supports as needed such as mentorship, transportation, and childcare that target and support a diverse and inclusive pool of training participants to successfully complete the program.
  • Define program evaluation and success metrics such as: recruitment, enrollment, completion, job placement, and learning acquisition goals.
  • Reach and target New Jersey’s Overburdened Communities and provide opportunities for economic mobility for these communities in green economy careers.
  • Collect, track, and report programmatic data, including trainee demographics, trainee surveys, instructor evaluations, training enrollments and completions, and job placement and retention information. 
  • If applicable, include strategies to connect current and aspiring workforce with skills-based training targeted to transitioning legacy energy workers.
  • Execute the project efficiently and on schedule, achieving well-defined milestones to complete the proposed initiative.

Virtual training programs operated in New Jersey or other states are eligible under this grant challenge so long as the program includes a clear approach to make the training accessible for and targeted to NJ residents and is linked to NJ employment opportunities in green economy careers.

Eligibility Criteria

The Grant Challenge will be open to entities who can design and execute workforce and skills training programs. Eligible applicants can include, but are not limited, to the following:

  • Community-based organizations
  • Non-profit or private workforce training organizations
  • Labor unions
  • Technical high schools
  • County colleges
  • Other non-profit organizations
  • Regional workforce development boards
  • For-profit companies

Applicants must include, at a minimum, one Community-Based Organization (CBO) that serves one or more NJ Overburdened Communities as part of their application. The CBO must either be the primary applicant or, in the alternative, a strategic collaborator with the applicant that is serving a defined role in the proposed program.  All applications that include the CBO as a strategic collaborator must submit a signed letter of intent from the CBO stating that they are a strategic collaborator with the applicant for the proposed program, the role the CBO will have in the proposed program, and the amount of the requested budget allocated to the CBO. The applicant is responsible for transferring the allocated budget to the CBO for their assigned tasks for the proposed program.

  • For the purposes of this training challenge, a CBO is defined as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with demonstrated experience serving a NJ Overburdened Community, as defined by NJ’s Environmental Justice Law that provides direct services or supports to a specific geographic NJ community(ies) or specific segments of a New Jersey community(ies). For the purposes of this Challenge, government entities, K-12 schools, and institutions of higher learning do not qualify as CBOs. However, these entities may be the applicant or an additional collaborator on the applicant team.  Entities that are not 501(c)3 organizations do not qualify as a CBO for the purposes of this grant challenge even if they serve a New Jersey Overburdened Community.
  • Per the NJ Division of Taxation, a 501(c)(3) Organization refers to a nonprofit organization that has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stating that the organization is exempt from federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The CBO term also may refer to a church or ministry that may qualify for an IRS 501(c) (3) determination letter, even though it does not intend to apply for an IRS determination.

Applicants may, but are not required to, collaborate with additional entities, including for-profit or non-profit entities of all types, to design and implement the training program as needed.

In addition to the eligibility parameters already stated above, the primary applicant must also be in substantial good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (“NJDOL”) and NJ Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) to participate in the program. The primary applicant must provide a current tax clearance certificate as part of the application to demonstrate the applicant is properly registered to do business in New Jersey and in good standing with the NJ Division of Taxation.

Proposed initiatives must focus on one or two (but no more than two) of the following Green Economy sectors:

  • Offshore Wind 
  • Other Renewable Energy Technologies
  • Green Design & Construction
  • Environmental and Green Infrastructure
  • Grid Resilience
  • Clean Transportation
  • Energy Efficiency

Application Process

Applications will be accepted during a competitive application round through the program’s online application portal, which will be open from August 8, 2024 at 10 a.m. EDT to October 8, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. All interested applicants must complete and submit their applications online through this portal by the deadline to be considered for the Grant Challenge award. The application can be found at: Green Workforce Grant – NJEDA. Pursuant to EDA’s revised fee rules, no application fee will be charged.

After the application window has closed, NJEDA staff will review all applications for completeness and compliance with required documentation and minimum requirements. Following the completeness review, applicants with missing or incomplete documentation will receive an email notification from NJEDA and will have ten business days to submit any missing or requested documentation. Applicants should submit missing documentation electronically to WindInstitute@njeda.gov with the email subject line “NJ Green Workforce Training Grant Challenge – Missing Documentation Submission for [APPLICANT NAME]”.

After the ten business days, any application that is not complete will not be evaluated or scored. All complete and compliant applications will be evaluated, scored and ranked by an Evaluation Committee comprised of NJEDA staff. Staff from the Governor’s Office of Climate Action, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Department of Labor, and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education may serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and advise the evaluation committee. The evaluation committee will evaluate, score and rank applications received based on five primary criteria:

  1. Impactful program design and implementation approach, and the ability of the initiative to meet the needs of New Jersey’s growing green economy (up to 35 points);
  2. Ability to serve NJ’s Overburdened Communities (up to 10 points);
  3. Ability to provide wraparound supports and low or no-cost training (up to 15 points);
  4. Prior experience creating and implementing workforce development initiatives (up to 30 points); and
  5. Justification for the proposed use of funds with a reasonable budget to implement the proposed training program (up to 10 points)
  • To be considered for an award, an application must receive a minimum score of 80 points.

NJEDA staff may request clarifying information from applicants during the evaluation period prior to scoring.  Applicants from whom clarifying information is sought will all receive ten business days to respond electronically to WindInstitute@njeda.gov with email subject line “NJ Green Workforce Training Grant Challenge – Clarifying Documentation Submission for [APPLICANT NAME]”.

Grant Amounts

Eligible applicants can propose an initiative with required funding of no less than $250,000 and no more than $1.5 million. NJEDA anticipates making multiple awards through this challenge. Funding will be made available according to the following criteria:

  • Of the $7 million total available in funding through this grant challenge, $2.65 million of the funding is earmarked to fund offshore wind programs;
  • Of the $7 million total available in funding through this grant challenge, $4.35 million of the funding is earmarked to fund proposals across all eligible green economy industries, including offshore wind; and
  • If a proposal covers offshore wind and one other eligible green economy industry, NJEDA, at its discretion, may allocate additional funds from either or both of the Council on the Green Economy and the Wind Institute.

Applicants must provide a detailed budget using the budget template included within the Grant Challenge application materials. The budget should demonstrate how the grant will be used to cover costs related to the proposed program. Program collaborators must be included in the application budget, and be identified for their role in the project and their status as a Community-Based Organization, non-profit, or for-profit entity.

To maximize the total amount of funding allocated through this challenge, NJEDA may opt to request revisions to the proposed budgets or scopes per the following protocol:

  • NJEDA will fully fund the top scoring proposals within the maximum program funding of $7 million and within the funding sub-allocations as described above. If the next highest scoring applicant has a budget request that would exceed the total maximum program funding available, NJEDA may request that the applicant revise their budget and/or scope. The applicant has the right to decline or accept the budget revision option.
    • If this applicant declines, NJEDA may make the same offer to the next highest scoring applicant.
    • This process may continue until a qualifying applicant’s proposal either fits within the maximum of $7 million available (or the sub-allocations as described above) or accepts the offer to revise its budget to fit within the maximum program funding available.
    • Any applicant that accepts the offer to revise its budget will have the revised application evaluated by NJEDA to determine if the revision would lower their proposal’s ranking to an extent that they are no longer the next highest ranked proposal.  

Applicants whose applications are declined will have the right to appeal. All declinations recommended by NJEDA staff that are based on discretionary reasons will be brought to the NJEDA board for approval.

Eligible Uses of Grant Funds

Eligible uses of grant funding include:

  • Costs associated with planning (e.g., staff costs for program development, curriculum materials, etc.)
  • Soft launch (e.g., outreach costs, recruitment materials and related costs, etc.)
  • Capital costs (e.g., procurement, construction or renovation of program space, equipment, and material purchases, etc.)
  • Implementation costs (e.g., instructor time, facility fees, participant stipends, equipment or materials, delivery of support services, etc.)
  • Administration and indirect costs

No more than ten percent (10%) of the grant amount may be used on indirect costs such as general administration and overhead. No more than thirty percent (30%) of the grant amount can be applied for construction costs.

If capital costs are proposed, the applicant and collaborators performing capital work will be subject to labor compliance, including New Jersey affirmative action, prevailing wage requirements, and the requirement to complete New Jersey Contractor Registration. Applicants who identify capital costs as an expected use of funding will acknowledge as part of the application that they understand the grant is subject to these labor compliance requirements and their documentation may be audited.

Disbursement of Grant Funds

NJEDA will enter into a grant agreement solely with the selected applicants, and the applicant will be held responsible for complying with the terms of the grant.

Selected applicants will enter into a grant agreement with NJEDA, and Funds will be disbursed according to the following schedule:

  • 25 percent of the grant will be disbursed upon execution of a grant agreement between NJEDA and the selected applicant.
  • 25 percent of the grant will be disbursed upon the Grantee’s submission of quarterly and mid-program reports and associated materials, with exact timing and format to be determined based on the grantee’s design and/or implementation plan and reflected in the grant agreement.
  • 50 percent of the grant amount will be disbursed upon meeting specific program milestones and deliverables to be defined by the applicant in their application and then finalized with NJEDA if a grant award decision is made.
    • No more than five (5) specific program milestones and deliverables shall be defined by the applicant in their application. Milestones and deliverables should occur between the mid-program report and the end of the grant period. However, one of the 5 milestones and deliverables must be to complete and submit the final report no later than 30 days after the end of the term of the grant.
    • Milestone payouts may be pro-rated if the milestone and/or deliverable is not fully met. E.g., if a $10,000 budget has been allocated to obtain 20 enrollments for a training program, then the grant agreement could assign $500 per enrollment up to a maximum of 20 enrollments for this milestone. If the grantee acquires 15 enrollments, the grantee’s payout would equal 15 enrollments X $500 per enrollment = $7,500.

Additional Specifications

NJEDA will reserve a royalty-free, non-exclusive irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, or otherwise use any copyrightable materials developed utilizing funds awarded through this grant, inclusive of training curriculum materials and program reports.

NJEDA will require quarterly expense reporting from grantees in a template provided by NJEDA, which is expected to include an expense cover sheet and supporting documentation, including receipts, invoices, and proofs of payment for all grant-related expenses. The grantee will be expected to adhere to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and utilize grant funding for agreed upon allowable costs as defined within the grant budget. NJEDA, at its discretion, may conduct an audit and/or reject proposed costs incurred by the grantee that are determined to not be allowable under the project scope of work defined in the grant agreement.

At the end of the grant agreement period, any underspent funds or disallowed costs must be returned by the grantee to NJEDA.

NJEDA will require grantees to provide quarterly reporting on program data, including enrollment, completion, and job outcomes from the training, attendance, exam and credential results, recruitment plans, wrapround services, trainee evaluations, expenses, progress against milestones, challenges/successes, and demographics information.

NJEDA will review, may modify, and approve all branding for programs offered by grantees through the funding received from this grant challenge, including program names, flyers, websites, use of logos, and communication materials.

The term of the grant period will be based upon the following criteria:

  • For programs that do not involve program design components and only include program implementation, the term of the grant cannot exceed two years.

For programs that involve both program design and implementation, the term of the grant can be a maximum of three years with no more than one year of the three-year term dedicated to program design. Program design is defined to include the activities leading up to the launch of the training program including curriculum development, facility, and technology setup, and planning documents (e.g., recruitment plans, marketing strategies, etc.). The launch of the program is defined as initiation of marketing and recruitment activities that advertise the program to the program target audience.

Program implementation is defined to include activities after the launch of the training program including curriculum delivery and instruction, wraparound services, and job placement.

Additional Information

Entities interested in collaborating on an applicant team may submit an optional “Potential Collaborator Form” (available on the Grant Challenge page) by August 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Responses from the forms will be shared with all entities that submit these forms, however EDA will not be coordinating the formation of teams.

Questions regarding the Grant Challenge may be submitted via email to WindInstitute@njeda.gov by September 6, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EDT with the subject line “Questions – NJ Green Workforce Training Grant Challenge”.  EDA will post answers on the Green Workforce Training Grant Challenge website by September 16, 2024 5:00 p.m. EDT. Applicants are strongly encouraged to check the Green Workforce Training Grant Challenge website prior to submission of the application.

Comprehensive information about the Green Workforce Training Grant Challenge is available at Green Workforce Grant – NJEDA

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of  “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions. 

Click Here for Full PDF

Historic Property Survey Grant (Published July 10, 2024)

Notice of Funding Availability

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will begin accepting applications for the competitive Historic Property Survey Grant program at 10:00 a.m. EST July 19th, 2024.The application can be accessed at https://www.njeda.com/historic-property-survey-grant-program/. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first basis served starting on July 19th, 2024, until grant funding is exhausted.  

The Historic Property Survey Grant program has been allocated $400,000. Grants of up to $125,000 per entity will be awarded to eligible municipal and county government entities, and non-profit organizations for the preparation of Historic Property Surveys throughout the State.

Purpose

Historic Property Surveys provide a full assessment of an area’s existing historic resources and are a fundamental part of historic preservation planning.  The Program seeks to increase the overall understanding of existing historic resources throughout the State (many of which may be identified as “distressed assets”).  These surveys will also serve as a planning tool to be used as part of future comprehensive economic development planning within the State.

The Historic Property Surveys include within the defined scope properties that are located within a Government Restricted Municipality or that would be considered distress asset/s. Projects considered would include historic survey of properties/resources based on association by location (municipal surveys), or thematically.  

Background 

On July 7, 2021, Governor Murphy signed P.L. 2021 c.160 amending the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act (“ERA”) (P.L. 2020, c.156). In addition to the 15+ economic development programs specifically created or modified by the Act, the ERA also established the sum of $5,000,000 “to be used to award competitive grants for zoning and economic planning services in government-restricted municipalities or economic redevelopment plans for distressed assets in other municipalities.” These funds are used to create the Historic Property Survey Grant Program that will focus on preparation of Historic Property Surveys throughout the State.

Historic property surveys provide an inventory of the built environment by systematically documenting historic properties by geographic location (e.g., entire village, specific neighborhood, municipality, or county) or theme (properties associated with specific time period/event, or a specific group). They can be tailored to fit goals based on the type of resources they are looking to identify and document, as well as potential future use for investigation (local zoning and planning, creation or support of historic preservation ordinance). They provide assistance to state and local officials in making informed decisions regarding project planning, as well as policy decisions and development.

On April 13, 2022, the NJEDA Board approved the creation of the competitive Historic Property Survey Grant Program. The Program will award grants of up to $125,000 to further the knowledge and understanding of existing historic resources throughout the State.

Funding Source for the Program

Funding for the Program will come from the New Jersey Economic Recovery Fund, which was appropriated in the Economic Recovery Act, as amended.  Entities that meet the necessary criteria may apply for grant funding of up to $125,000 per entity.  The potential award amount is based upon current information about funding availability; NJEDA reserves the right to increase that amount and number of awards should additional funds become available.

Eligibility

Eligibility under the competitive Historic Property Survey Grant Program will be limited to municipal and county government entities, and non-profit organizations working on behalf of, in coordination with, or with the support and endorsement of a municipal or county government entities.

Non-profit applicants will be required to provide documentation showing close co-operation with a government entity located within the geographical area covered by the proposed project boundary. Additionally, they will be required to certify that the government entity will be provided full copies of the survey (including a hard copy and digital copy in native format) and rights to the utilization of the entirety of the survey and all data collected as part of the investigation.

Additionally, applicants must be in good standing with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of the Treasury, or provide documentation showing that they have entered into an agreement with the respective department that includes a practical corrective action plan, as applicable. Furthermore, the eligible entity will be required to provide, prior to execution of a grant agreement, a valid tax clearance certificate from the NJ Division of Taxation within the NJ Department of Treasury.

Eligible Uses

All work conducted for the authorized project will be completed by a professional or consultant meeting professional qualifications for either “Historian”, or “Architectural Historian” as outlined in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation, 48 Fed. Reg. 44716, as updated/revised by the National Park Service, and which were previously published in 36 CFR Part 61.

To qualify for the Program, the scope of work must include surveying of properties that are located within a Government Restricted Municipality (GRM); or include the surveying of properties that fit the Program’s definition of “distressed assets” (see below) based on the type of survey proposed, as follows:

  • Municipal Survey – Scope of work for the survey must include the surveying of properties associated by location and located within a specific municipality. Such municipalities must be a GRM.
  • Thematic Survey – Scope of work for survey must include the surveying of properties closely associated by a theme such as a historic event/time period, industry, architectural type/style, or group of individuals (race, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, etc.). Geographic boundary for investigation may be regional (municipal or county) or statewide. Unless all properties to be surveyed are located within a GRM, the applicant must demonstrate that at least 10% of properties expected to be surveyed fit the program’s definition of “distressed asset” by providing a site map showing proposed survey boundaries and location of identified “distressed assets” with accompanying photographs of buildings to demonstrate condition.

A “distressed asset” shall be defined as a building that is fully or partially vacant, or that due to deteriorated appearance of its exterior (because of deferred maintenance such as deteriorated paint or overgrown vegetation, boarded up door and/or windows), could be seen as a deterrent to economic growth to the surrounding area. 

Program Requirements

Applicants will be required to contribute a minimum of 10% of the total cost of the project, and the applicant will be required to provide proper documentation to demonstrate that funds equaling at least 10% of the total cost of the investigation, as identified within the submitted proposal, will be available at time of approval.

Once approved, the grantee must comply with the following project specific requirements:

  • Projects submitted for consideration must, at a minimum, document all potential resources included within a distinctly defined area/community, municipality and/or county;
  • For thematic surveys, applicant must show larger areas of study (such as county or statewide) that will allow for a better understanding of theme
  • Projects must include detailed written historic background and context information that addresses all resources included
  • Survey must be completed following NJDEP’s Historic Preservation Office’s (HPO) Guidelines for Architectural Survey. Survey forms and guidelines can be found on HPO’s website at: https://www.nj.gov/dep/hpo/1identify/survarcht.htm.

Deliverable requirements:

  • Scope of work for all projects submitted for consideration with the Program application shall require submission of one hard copy of the final survey (including all survey forms) to be submitted to HPO, and a corresponding electronic version (also inclusive of all forms) in pdf format.
  • Final deliverables must include GIS data consistent with the NJDEP’s Historic Preservation Office’s approved formats, and minimum requirements as specified in NJDEP’s Mapping and Digital Data Standards.

All non-profit applicants must include a certification stating that in addition to the deliverable requirements outlined above, the government entity with whom the applicant has a co-operation agreement will:

  • Receive, at a minimum, one hard copy of the entire, completed and approved survey, and an electronic copy of the completed survey and all data collected as part of the investigation. Hard copy must be a high-quality print (not a photocopy) will all text clearly legible and clear photographs.
  • Have full authorized use of the final survey completed and all data collected as part of the investigation.

Application Submission and Review Process

Applicants will be asked to complete an online grant application that will include:

• Narrative proposal detailing project description and approach to conducting the investigation; and,

• Detailed geographic boundary description and map. For proposed thematic surveys, a general description of desired investigation area with justification as to the appropriateness of defined study area will be required in lieu of a detailed geographic boundary.

Additionally, applicants will be required to submit a full and current proposal (dated no earlier than 1 month prior to application submission) to conduct the proposed investigation that is prepared by a professional or consultant meeting professional qualifications for either “Historian” or “Architectural Historian.”

Grant applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until all grant funds are committed. NJEDA staff will review applications in the order they are received for completeness and eligibility. Applicants with incomplete applications will be notified and given 15 business days to respond (the “Cure Period”). The Cure Period may run concurrently with any clarification request(s). If at the end of the Cure Period, the applicant has not supplied the missing information or supplied information that does not constitute a complete application and still has an incomplete application, the application will be deemed administratively withdrawn and the applicant may file a new application for consideration of eligibility. 

At the sole discretion of the Authority, NJEDA staff may also request clarifications regarding a completed application, including, but not limited to, responses, documentation, and attachments. Applicants will be given 15 business days, as notified via email, to fulfill any such requests. If the applicant fails to respond to such a request, the application will be declined.

To apply, an applicant must register, or log into the online application portal, complete all required application questions fully, and upload all required PDF document attachments.

Each application is required to contain the following documents:

  1. Required Application Information
  2. A fully completed online application
  3. New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate
  4. Religious Activities questionnaire (if applicable)
  5. Certification of Non-Involvement in Prohibited Activities in Russia or Belarus
  6. Signed Letter of Approval from the chief executive of the entity holding ownership of the subject property or asset must be digitally attached with the application
  7. Completed Legal Questionnaire
  8. Application Fee or fee waiver request (unless waived).
  9. Required Proposal Components of Application        
  10. Survey Description
  11. Project Details, including:

a. Survey type

b. Expected number of properties to be surveyed, including number of “distressed assets”

c. Resume of Historian or Architectural Historian who will be in charge of conducting the survey

d. Total cost of survey and Grant amount requested

e. Proof of at least 10% minimum contribution of project costs

Following a completeness check, as determined by NJEDA staff, applications will be reviewed by a scoring committee, with the process detailed below under “Scoring” section.  Once funds are depleted, applications will be closed.

Additional information relevant to the Historic Property Survey Grant scoring criteria documentation, as applicable, may include:

  1. Information regarding need and benefit to community
  2. Documentation showing community support
  3. MRI ranking information
  4. Documentation to validate any claim of survey focus on the identification of resources representing underrepresented groups or periods of history
  5. Applicant background and experience showing ability to manage proposed survey to completion

Scoring

All applicants must achieve a minimum score of 20 points, out of a maximum possible score of 30 to receive a grant award. Awards will be given out on a first-come-first-served basis to applications achieving an acceptable score until such time as funds are depleted. Applications deemed complete will be scored by a committee of EDA staff. Applications that meet a minimum score of 20 points will be approved via delegation of authority by the NJEDA Chief Executive Officer.

Applications will be evaluated and scored based on:

1. Need & Benefit to the community will be based on the following:

  • There is no existing survey for proposed survey area or survey theme (for thematic surveys), or existing survey is over 20 years old. (10 points)
  • At least one municipality or County Government within the proposed survey area has provided letter of support indicating that survey will be a tool that is desired and will be used by the government entity for future planning purposes. Existence and/or date of prior survey will be confirmed using New Jersey’s Historic Preservation Office’s Cultural Resources Geographic Information System “LUCY”, which can be accessed from their website at: https://nj.gov/dep/hpo/1identify/gis.htm. (5 Points)

2.  Community support for project: to be demonstrated with at least one letter of support from a community organization located within a geographic area to be included within the proposed survey project. (5 Points)

3.  Additional points will be given to projects that meet the following parameters:

  • Will include survey within a NJ municipality that is ranked among the top 50 municipalities under the 2020 Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI) as established by DCA. (5 Points)
  • Will include in its focus the identification of resources representing underrepresented groups or periods of history (such as minority groups and communities, LGBTQ, women history, or the civil rights movement). Applicant will need to submit a justification on the claim, which will be reviewed by the New Jersey Historic Trust.  The Trust will provide NJEDA the final validation of whether parameters for the underrepresented history have been met. (5 Points)

Grant Disbursements and Grant Agreement

The maximum grant amount is $125,000. Upon approval of a grant award by the Authority, 50% of the grant amount will be disbursed upon execution of the Grant Agreement.  Final disbursement of the remaining 50% will occur after the NJEDA has confirmed approval of final product by the NJ Historic Preservation Office (NJHPO).

If the Grantee fails to comply with the Grant Agreement, the Authority may choose to terminate the Grant Agreement.  Further, the Authority may require the Grantee to repay the disbursed grant funding, in whole or in part. 

Progress Reports 

Six months after execution of grant agreement, the Grantee will be required to provide a progress report outlining progress of the investigation. The required progress report must include, but will not be limited to, the following information: number of structures surveyed/documented to date, draft copy of report, draft samples of survey forms completed. Additionally, the progress report must include a project schedule showing, at a minimum, dates for completion of all fieldwork, projected dates for submission of complete draft report, and final project completion.

A draft historic survey report with all survey forms and necessary attachments must be completed and submitted within 1 year from the execution of the grant agreement, except that if the grantee has requested, and been granted a time extension, then such report will be due no later than 18 months following the execution of the grant agreement. Any request for a time extension (of no longer than six months beyond the original one year) must be submitted in writing to the Authority.

The draft report will be reviewed by the NJEDA and/or HPO. NJEDA, in coordination with the HPO, will issue comments as needed to address any deficiencies of draft report, forms and any attachments. Once comments are issued, the grantee will have 60 calendar days to address comments and submit a final historic survey report (including all survey forms and necessary attachments) to HPO for final acceptance. HPO will confirm acceptance of final report to NJEDA. 

Fees

A $1,000 application fee is required at the time of application.

An application fee waiver may be requested via email prior to application submission or at the time of application for proposals led by municipalities or municipal authorities, boards, commissions or other municipal entities ranked in the top 10 percent of the Municipal Revitalization Index (MRI).  Applicants will self-identify in the application as a municipality or municipal government entity requesting a waiver. Staff will determine if the entity meets the criteria for a waiver. Eligible entities will be granted a waiver for the program. Ineligible entities will be notified, and fee payment will be required to complete the application. If fee was not paid by application submission and the applicant is deemed ineligible for a fee payment waiver, the application fee must be submitted during the 15-business day Cure Period.

Additional Information

Comprehensive information about the Historic Property Survey Grant Program is available at https://www.njeda.com/historic-property-survey-grant-program/.

Questions concerning this Program’s Notice of Funding Availability should be submitted to historicgrant@njeda.gov.

The NJEDA is subject to State and Federal statutes including, but not limited to, the following, which may impact applicants or their affiliates: N.J.S.A. 52:32-60.1, et seq., which prevents the New Jersey government entities from certain dealings with businesses engaged in prohibited activities in Belarus or Russia; Compliance with the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov; N.J.S.A. 24:6I-49 which provides that the following are not eligible for most State or local economic incentives (a) a person or entity issued a license to operate as a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or that employs a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and (b) a property owner, developer, or operator of a project to be used, in whole or in part, by or to benefit a cannabis cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or delivery service, or to employ a certified personal use cannabis handler to perform work for or on behalf of a cannabis establishment, distributor, or delivery service; and N.J.S.A. 52:13D-12, et seq., which prohibits a member of the Legislature or a State officer or employee or their partners or a corporation in which they owns or controls more than 1% of the stock to undertake or execute any contract, agreement, sale, or purchase of $25.00 or more, made, entered into, awarded or granted by any State agency, with certain limited exceptions. 

Click Here for Full PDF

Archived Notice of Funding Availabilities


OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS ACT (OPRA)

If your request for access to a government record has been denied or unfilled within the seven (7) or fourteen (14) business days required by law, you have a right to challenge the decision by the responding agency to deny access. At your option, you may either: 1) institute a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey; or 2) file a complaint with the Government Records Council (“GRC”) by completing the Denial of Access Complaint Form, which can be found at Government Records Council (GRC) | Denial of Access Complaint Forms (nj.gov). All questions regarding complaints filed in Superior Court should be directed to the Court Clerk in your County. Questions regarding the GRC’s Denial of Access Complaint process can directed to the GRC toll-free telephone at 866-850-0511, by mail at PO Box 819, Trenton, NJ, 08625, by e-mail at Government.Records@dca.nj.gov, or at their web site at www.state.nj.us/grc. The Council can answer general inquiries about OPRA.

CLICK HERE FOR OPRA Application and Guidelines

If you are interested in obtaining a user-friendly copy of the original OPRA legislation, as well as information on the OPRA appeals process, and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit New Jersey’s Government Records Council, the central organization that oversees the workings of the OPRA process throughout State government.

OPRA contact information at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority:

New Jersey Economic Development Authority
Custodian of Public Records
PO Box 990
Trenton, NJ 08625-0990
Phone (609) 414-1423
Fax: (973) 622-1576
E-mail: oprae-mail@njeda.gov


Reports

aNNUAL Reports


2023

Click here for the NJEDA 2023 Annual Report 
Click here for the NJEDA Project List

Click here for the NJEDA Audited Financial Statements

2022

Click here for the NJEDA 2022 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Audited Financial Statements

Click here for the NJEDA Project List

2021

Click here for the NJEDA 2021 Annual Report 
Click here for the NJEDA Audited Financial Statements
Click here for the NJEDA COVID-19 Activity

2020

Click here for the NJEDA 2020 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA COVID-19 Project List
Click here for the NJEDA Audited Financial Statements

2019

Click here for the NJEDA 2019 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Audited Financial Statements

2018
Click here for the NJEDA 2018 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Audited Financial Statements

2017
Click here for the NJEDA 2017 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Audited Financial Statements

2016
Click here for the NJEDA 2016 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Audited Financial Statements

2015
Click here for the NJEDA 2015 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Comprehensive Annual Report (includes Audited Financial Statements and Projects)
NJEDA Projects

2014
Click here for the NJEDA 2014 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Comprehensive Annual Report (includes Audited Financial Statements and Projects)
NJEDA Projects

2013
Click here for the NJEDA 2013 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Comprehensive Annual Report (includes Audited Financial Statements and Projects)
NJEDA Projects

2012
Click here for the NJEDA 2012 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Comprehensive Annual Report (Includes Audited Financial Statements and Projects)
NJEDA Projects

2011
Click here for the NJEDA 2011 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Comprehensive Annual Report (Includes Audited Financial Statements and Projects)
NJEDA Projects

2010
Click here for the NJEDA 2010 Annual Report 
Click here for the NJEDA Comprehensive Annual Report (Includes Audited Financial Statements and Projects)
NJEDA Projects

2009
Click here for the NJEDA 2009 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Comprehensive Annual Report (Includes Audited Financial Statements and Projects)
NJEDA Projects

2008
Click here for the NJEDA 2008 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Comprehensive Annual Report (Includes Audited Financial Statements)
NJEDA Projects

2007
Click here for the NJEDA 2007 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Comprehensive Annual Report (Includes Audited Financial Statements)
NJEDA  Projects

2006
Click here for the NJEDA 2006 Annual Report
Click here for the NJEDA Comprehensive Annual Report (Includes Audited Financial Statements)
NJEDA  Projects

2018 
Click here for the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Annual Report

2013
Click here for the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Annual Report

2012
Click here for the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Annual Report

2011
Click here for the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Annual Report

2010
Click here for the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Annual Report

2009
Click here for the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Annual Report 

2008
Click here for the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Annual Report

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) offer assistance to municipalities, businesses, developers and community groups at various stages of the brownfield restoration process, from planning to cleanup and redevelopment.

The Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF) has been an integral component of this assistance since 1993; helping to transform underutilized and contaminated sites into environmentally sound, productive properties. This is particularly important in the redevelopment of older urban areas so vital to achieving the smart growth objectives of the State’s Master Plan.

The NJEDA and the DEP, which jointly administer the program, are pleased to report the results of activities for calendar year 2008 under the HDSRF in accordance with N.J.S 58:10B-6. Click here to view.

2021

Click here to view the HDSRF report

2020

Click here to view the HDSRF report

2018 and 2019

Click here to view the HDSRF report

2013
Click here to view the HDSRF report

2012
Click here to view the HDSRF report.

2011
Click here to view the HDSRF report.

2010
Click here to view the HDSRF report.

2009
Click here to view the HDSRF report.

For more recent BEIP Annual Reports, please see the NJEDA Annual Reports. Moving forward, BEIP Annual Reports are included as an appendix on the NJEDA Annual Report.

2013
Click here for the FY2013 BEIP Annual Report and Exhibits.

2012
Click here for the FY2012 BEIP Annual Report and Exhibits.

2011
Click here for the FY2011 BEIP Annual Report and Exhibits.

2010
Click here for the FY2010 BEIP Annual Report and Exhibits.

2009
Click here for the FY2009 BEIP Annual Report and Exhibits.

2008
Click here for the FY2008 BEIP Annual Report and Exhibits.

2007
Click here for the FY2007 BEIP Annual Report and Exhibits.

2006
Click here for the FY2006 BEIP Annual Report and Exhibits.

2005
Click here for the FY2005 BEIP Annual Report and Exhibits.

For more recent BRRAG Annual Reports, please see the NJEDA Annual Reports. Moving forward, BRRAG Annual Reports are included as an appendix on the NJEDA Annual Report.

2024
Click here for the FY2024 BRRAG Annual Report.

2013
Click here for the FY2013 BRRAG Annual Report.

2012
Click here for the FY2012 BRRAG Annual Report.

2011
Click here for the FY2011 BRRAG Annual Report.

2010
Click here for the FY2010 BRRAG Annual Report.

2009
Click here for the FY2009 BRRAG Annual Report.

2008
Click here for the FY2008 BRRAG Annual Report.

ACTIVITY & OTHER REPORTS


The Main Street Recovery Finance Program is a suite of programs to support New Jersey micro business owners and partnering entities that can serve New Jersey micro businesses.

Please visit the links below for a list of businesses and non-profit organizations the NJEDA has assisted through the Main Street Recovery Finance Program.

Click here for Financially Assisted Projects with Construction Activity Report

Completed and Certified Incentive Projects

The Completed and Certified Incentive Project report is a compilation of all projects approved under the Grow New Jersey Assistance (Grow NJ), Economic Redevelopment and Growth (ERG) and Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit programs that have certified completion and received tax credits or reimbursements to date.  

Click here to view the Completed and Certified Incentive Project report.

Emerge/Aspire Program Cap Utilization

The Emerge Tax Credit Program with NJ Aspire Program are capped at $1.1B per year over 6 years, with an option to roll-over unused program cap to a seventh year. Click here to view current allocation and Incentive Activity report

Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program

Click here for a list of approved Film Tax Credit projects

Click here for a list of approved the Digital Media Tax Credit projects

Film and Digital Media Tax Transfers

Business Employment Incentive Program (BEIP)

Click here for a list of all executed BEIP grants (alphabetically)

Economic Redevelopment and Growth Program (ERG)

Click here for a list of all approved ERG projects under the N.J. Economic Opportunity Act of 2013

Click here for a list of all approved Legacy ERG projects.

Business Retention and Relocation Assistance Grant Program (BRRAG)

Click here for a list of all executed BRRAG grants (by date).

Grow New Jersey Assistance Program

Click here for a list of approved Grow NJ projects since the enactment of the N.J. Economic Opportunity Act of 2013.

Click here for a list of approved Legacy Grow NJ projects (prior to enactment of NJ Economic Opportunity Act of 2013

Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Program

Click here for a list of approved Urban Transit Hub projects (by date).

New Jersey Manufacturing Voucher Program

Please visit the links below for a list of organizations the NJEDA has approved under the New Jersey Manufacturing Voucher Program.

Phase 1: Click here

Phase 2: Click here

resources