The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has announced an expansion of the NJ Cool Program's eligibility criteria. The program, which provides grants to building owners and tenants for retrofit construction projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, will now include all designated Overburdened Communities (OBC) and formally designated Adjacent Community census blocks as per the State’s Environmental Justice Law.
Previously, eligibility was limited to projects in Atlantic City, Edison, and Newark. Now, the expanded criteria allow commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings in these newly included areas to qualify for the program. The original pilot municipalities remain eligible.
Under the NJ Cool Program, grants of up to $1 million are available to cover 50 percent of eligible project construction costs for emissions-reducing retrofits. Projects must involve updates to a building’s heating or cooling system and may also include other energy efficiency measures or on-site renewable energy systems like solar panels. The initiative aims not only to reduce emissions but also to promote environmentally friendly building systems and practices across New Jersey.
Applications for the program are open on a rolling basis. Interested parties can find more information about application requirements and eligible projects by visiting the NJEDA website or contacting them via email at njcool@njeda.gov.
