This column has often spoken about the need for municipalities to be aware of best practices with commercial developers in order to be competitive to attract them for economic growth. 

We are amazed that numerous businesses and municipalities are not aware of the many resources that the state provides to help businesses locate in the state and move or expand in your community. This is not the fault of municipalities but perhaps the state’s lack of marketing. A previously written article from yours truly described the “Smart Start Program,” that provides grants and incentives for energy efficiencies to retrofit older buildings and construct new buildings. Neither the business community not the legislature is aware of this excellent program. 

Through the assistance of NJBIZ magazine and others, please find various resources that can be shared with businesses potentially seeking interest in opening their business in your community: 

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection 

Cleanup Star Program Under this innovative program, NJDEP pre-qualifies environmental consultants meeting rigorous education, experience and professional requirements as “Cleanup Stars.” “Cleanup Stars,” on behalf of a developer, will be permitted to investigate and remediate certain low-priority sites and areas of concern with limited NJDEP oversight, obviously something that is attractive to businesses and the municipality. “Cleanup Stars” work will be carefully audited by NJDEP to ensure regulatory compliance and protection of health and environment.

 

NJDEP Grant and Loan Programs NJDEP does provide a variety of funding for those in need of environmental financial resources. 

Greenstart NJDEP has developed a compliance assistance program referred to above as “greenstart” to proactively help small businesses and municipalities comply with environmental obligations. Environmental compliance assistance is provided by qualified NJDEP employees free for on-site consultation. The program assist facility owners and operators to interpret environmental regulations and evaluating compliance in the areas of air, water and pesticides pollution control, solid and hazardous waste management and a variety of other environmentally sensitive issues.

 

Small Business Assistance Program The Small Business Assistance Program is a technical and administrative support operation within the NJDEP. The SBAP has access to air quality experts, technically proficient engineers, scientists and managers, and environmental specialists who will provide support and technical assistance needed by small businesses to comply with the Clean Air Act’s requirements.

 

Voluntary Cleanup Program Using the VCP, responsible parties including developers, local officials, or individuals may work with NJDEP to remediate non-priority contaminated sites that pose no immediate threat to human health or the environment. You would enter into an agreement with NJDEP referred to as a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), to establish the scope of clean up activities. Such activities could range from a preliminary assessment and site investigation, to determine if contamination exists at the site, to remedial actions for clean up.

 

NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development 

Business resource Centers Business Resource Centers (BRCs) are becoming one of the greatest sources of assistance to small and mid-size employers. Located throughout New Jersey are in what is known as One-Stop Career Centers. BRCs address requirements associated with recruitment training, which could be critical to their locating in your municipality. A secondary role is to help companies navigate government agencies, which in some cases may be a priority, to find information about new business development, loan programs, child labor laws, general wage and hour information, labor market data and permitting issues.

 

Customized Training Grants Customized training grants are matching grants awarded to New Jersey businesses to provide training to the company’s workforce in skills specifically needed to increase productivity and marketability. The grants, which are awarded through NJDOL, are funded through the Workforce Development Partnership Program.

 

New Jersey Economic Development Authority 

Low-Interest Financing The New Jersey Economic Development Authority helps businesses in need of financial support to expand operations, market new products or build larger facilities; municipalities seeking to attract businesses, or developers in need of funds for major redevelopment projects can be financed through a variety of low-interest options. 

Business Employment Incentive Program (BEIP) Businesses that create jobs are eligible under BEIP to receive annual cash grants based on the number of new jobs they have created in the State of New Jersey. Businesses that will create at least 25 jobs in an Urban Aid community or a minimum of 75 jobs in a non-urban area are economically viable and demonstrate that the incentive grant is a material factor in their decision to locate or expand in New Jersey. The grants can be up to 10 years and may be approved for 10%-80% of the total amount of state income taxes withheld by a business for new employees hired. 

New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology Innovation Zones
An innovation zone is a defined geographic area with proximity to universities and hospitals. Businesses locating within a Zone will be eligible for enhanced economic incentives and special business support services, such as access to university research facilities. 

Technology Business Financing Whether you are a start-up, R&D firm, manufacturer or service provider, the EDA offers a continuum of financial support for technology-based businesses. Financing opportunities include; recoverable grants for start-up companies, low interest loans to bring new products to market, tax benefits through sale of net operating losses and access to angel investor and venture capital funding. 

Additionally, the EDA has the following programs for businesses that municipalities can make them aware of; Brownfields Redevelopment Loan Program, Mart growth Predevelopment Funding, Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund, Fund for Community Economic development and Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer Program. 

The bottom line is that as Mayors it is important that you become a partner with the businesses that you want to attract. Make them aware of the myriad of programs that they may be eligible. It may make the difference for them deciding to locate in your community.