A coalition of leading New Jersey business organizations, including the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), has submitted formal recommendations to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) regarding the new Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program.
The program, which was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy earlier in August, will use $500 million from existing Aspire and Emerge credits to support manufacturing initiatives and job creation within the state. The goal is to encourage more manufacturing activity and employment opportunities in New Jersey.
In their joint letter, NJBIA, the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey, and the Healthcare Institute of New Jersey called on NJEDA to ensure that rules for administering the program are designed to promote participation.
“The draft rules should be written with the clear intent of helping applicants succeed/finding ways to get to ‘yes,’ instead of looking for reasons to reject them/finding ways to say ‘no,’” according to the letter sent by these groups.
They emphasized that manufacturers face intense competition and require reliable support from state incentives. “Manufacturers operate in a highly competitive environment; so state incentives must project predictability and support. This means flexible interpretations where possible under statute, consistent guidance, and program administration that is focused on getting to ‘yes.’”
Additional recommendations included marketing support for the program, simplifying application procedures, streamlining interagency approvals, collaborating on workforce development efforts, and ensuring that any fees associated with participation are comparable with those in other states.
“The new Manufacturing Program presents an important opportunity to strengthen New Jersey’s industrial base,” stated the letter. “By implementing rules that are flexible, fair, and business-friendly — while ensuring accountability — NJEDA can maximize the program’s success and make New Jersey more competitive for manufacturing investment.”
A full copy of their recommendations is available online.
