The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) has released its 2025 Blueprint for a Competitive New Jersey. This 28-page policy document aims to guide elected officials and candidates on fostering innovation and prosperity within the state. NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka presented copies of the Blueprint to Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill at the “Meet the Gubernatorial Candidates” event in Somerset, attended by nearly 400 people.
“The goal of this Blueprint is to ensure New Jersey’s next governor, and all elected officials, understand the value job creators bring to critical policy discussions and the economic return on investment that support for the business community provides,” Siekerka stated. She emphasized that placing businesses at the center would create a competitive environment beneficial for entrepreneurs, leading to job creation and increased household income.
The Blueprint addresses various challenges in New Jersey through solutions across several policy areas: budget reforms, consumer affairs, education, labor issues, energy policies, environmental standards, healthcare innovations, manufacturing incentives, taxation strategies, and infrastructure improvements. Among its key recommendations is establishing a Department of Commerce & Innovation to coordinate business strategies.
“This should include the creation of a state master economic plan,” states the Blueprint. It also suggests regulatory reforms to reduce burdensome regulations that increase business costs. Siekerka noted that while some regulations are necessary for safety and fairness, excessive mandates hinder productivity and growth.
Taxation is another focus area with recommendations such as phasing down New Jersey’s Corporation Business Tax rate and allowing tax deductions for charitable giving. The document also highlights outlier labor mandates that disadvantage local job creators compared to federal standards.
On education and workforce development, it calls for partnerships that provide skills employers need. The Blueprint suggests budget transparency improvements to align spending with state goals better. In consumer affairs and legal issues, it urges strategic investments to regain confidence among businesses.
For energy policy, it advocates reliability over strict green mandates. Environmental recommendations include simplifying processes while maintaining standards. In healthcare and life sciences sectors, suggestions aim at supporting research innovation.
Manufacturing incentives proposed include developing tax benefits for companies in this sector. For transportation infrastructure, ensuring revenues from fees are used appropriately is highlighted.
Authored by NJBIA’s Government Affairs team led by Siekerka and edited by Communications Manager Joanne Degnan with design contributions from Mike Sanchez of New Jersey Business Magazine Creative Director Mike Sanchez; this comprehensive document offers more than 65 solutions aimed at making New Jersey competitive again.
