As seen on PolitickerNJ

The members of the Smart Growth Economic Development Coalition would like to correct the misconceptions surrounding Assembly Bill No. 4335/ Senate Bill No. 3156, the Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) legislation. Despite what critics contend, this legislation is not a threat to the environment. Rather, the bill leaves environmental protections in…

“We can’t have bureaucrats using junk science armed
with a Sharpie marker and aerial maps playing God,” Zangari said.
“When you don’t have predictability and certainty
and transparency, that is a recipe for absolute paralysis.”
– Ted Zangari

SOURCE: “N.J. clean water rules in jeopardy
as environmentalists and developers battle over
lame-duck bill,” Star-Ledger, Sunday,

…

Legislation further extending relief to development projects delayed by the ongoing economic downturn was approved by the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee by a 6-0 vote on December 8, 2011. With a bipartisan group of over two dozen sponsors, A-4422 not only further extends the life of permits and approvals but also clarifies that the relief is available to projects in some areas of the State where coverage under the Permit Extension Act is uncertain.
Continue Reading Breaking News: Extension of Permit Extension Act Moves Towards Adoption

Trenton, NJ – Acting on a commitment to grow New Jersey’s economy, create Jersey Jobs and organize government to meet the state’s long term economic development goals in a common sense and sustainable manner, Governor Christie today announced the State Strategic Job Growth Plan as an ambitious, flexible guide to New Jersey’s economic development future.
Continue Reading Governor Chris Christie Strengthens Efforts to Create Jersey Jobs with Announcement of State Strategic Job Growth Plan

“We know New Jersey has a lot of empty office space. We were thinking about building a new building, but is this really responsible? No, I think it’s a much better way to renovate and rejuvenate the old building in such nice surroundings.” — Novo Nordisk U.S. President Jerzy Gruhn at the groundbreaking ceremony for…

Legislation creating the proposed “Grow New Jersey” business incentive program unanimously passed the Senate Economic Growth Committee (with amendments) on Monday and the Senate Budget Committee (with amendments) earlier today.  A copy of the bill, as amended, is now available online at: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/S3500/3033_R1.HTM

Here is a summary of the proposed program:

* The “business facility” can be located anywhere in Planning Areas 1 and 2, areas of the Meadowlands, Highlands and Pinelands that are “targeted for development,” closed military bases, and vacant commercial buildings over 400,000sf located anywhere in the State.

* Dollar Value of Grow NJ Incentive Program: Up to $50,000 per new or retained full-time job, with a possible bonus award of up to $30,000 per job, for a total stipend of up to $80,000 per job.

Details: The financial incentive, in the form of a transferrable tax credit, is $5,000 per full-time employee (new or existing) per year for up to 10 years; the business must commit to keeping that number of jobs in NJ for a period equal to 1.5 times the number of years it elects to receive the stipend. In other words, a business may obtain a maximum pay-out of $50,000 per employee by committing to maintain those job levels in NJ for at least 15 years (10×1.5). The stipend can be boosted to $8,000 per full-time employee (new or existing) per year for up to 10 years if the EDA grants a “bonus award.” A bonus award will be given to the business if the business is in an industry identified by the EDA as “desirable” for the State to maintain, or if the business is relocating to a location adjacent to or within walking distance of or shuttle service to a public transit facility, or if the business creates jobs whose salaries are greater than the “average full-time salary” in NJ.Continue Reading Breaking News: Details of Proposed “Grow NJ” Business Incentive Take Shape

State Sens. Raymond Lesniak (D) and Joseph Kyrillos (R) have introduced legislation that will create a brand new incentive to both retain and attract jobs in smart growth areas of New Jersey. The incentive will be known as the “Grow New Jersey Assistance Program.” The bill, S-3033, will be considered by the Senate Economic Growth…

(With Lt. Gov. Guadagno at today's bill signing ceremony are, from left, Ted Zangari, Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.; Bob Lieb, Mountain Development; George Sowa, Brandywine Realty Trust and 2011 NAIOP NJ President; and Anthony Pizzutillo, Smith Pizzutillo LLC)

Acting Governor Kim Guadagno earlier today signed into law a bill that revives and extends…