The Urban Enterprise Zone Authority (UEZA), affiliated with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, has highlighted positive developments in Vineland through grants awarded by the UEZA. Over the past year, approximately $5.5 million in Zone Assistance Fund grants have been allocated to support initiatives aimed at strengthening small businesses within Vineland's Urban Enterprise Zone.
UEZ officials in Vineland have invested these grant funds into innovative projects, including the "Project Beautify" Exterior Improvement Program and activities that support public safety, beautification of public spaces, and efforts to attract new businesses. These efforts have led to the development of a microbrewery and a state-of-the-art film and digital media studio.
"The approach to innovative business development initiatives in Vineland, along with funds from the Urban Enterprise Zone Authority, is an excellent example of how public-private partnerships can drive both economic growth and community revitalization," said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. "These grants allow for job creation, energy improvement, quality of life enhancement in Vineland neighborhoods, and make the city more attractive for future investments and opportunities."
"Vineland has been at the forefront with new project ideas for UEZs over recent years," stated UEZA Deputy Director Joseph Fusco. "The microbrewery, supported by a $2 million UEZA grant, will be a significant attraction for the region. The Vineland UEZ also received $900,000 for the media studio project in December 2023; this initiative is anticipated not only as a fantastic means of job creation but also as a boon for local businesses that will cater to production teams in town."
Vineland's "Project Beautify" program focuses on improving facades, awnings, lighting, signage areas gardens parking lots trash enclosures security cameras backed by a $1.5 million grant from the Zone Assistance Fund offers forgivable loans up to $50 000 five-year term requiring property owners match 10%.
"This program is part of our overall strategy to attract customers and new businesses to Vineland while supporting our existing businesses," said Mayor Anthony Fanucci. "Improving business exteriors along commercial corridors could increase local foot traffic promote our shopping districts as destinations attracting visitors."
"The program has been well-received," said Sandy Forosisky Director Economic Development Vineland adding since accepting applications late 2023 more than forty requests completed underway or bidding achieved improvements exceeding $550 000."Investing community infrastructure variety essential ensuring economic development lasting equitable throughout city."
Recently Vineland UEZ received additional assistance grants totaling $305 000 focused commercial corridor improvements maintain cleanliness area another $550 000 police foot patrol service zone area.
"There are currently five hundred twenty-six registered businesses within zone working hard spread benefits offered Program number grows so too capacity help create jobs improve community many ways added Forosisky"
For more information about Vineland's UEZ Program contact Sandy Forosisky at (856)794-4100.
Established originally nineteen eighty-three August two thousand twenty-one Acting Governor Sheila Y Oliver signed legislation allocating forty-two point five million dollars allowing expansion services designated zones offering tax incentives primarily revitalize urban communities drive growth encourage business expansion create private sector employment opportunities through combined public-private investment.
One main benefits revitalized Funds provide flexible revenue communities economic development nearly three years since relaunch twenty-one granted over sixty-two million municipal projects participating receive reduced sales tax rate currently three point three one two five percent access capital equipment purchases facility expansions similar investments presently six thousand participating statewide.
For more information about UEZA visit https://www.nj.gov/dca/uez/.
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