Month: June 2018

On Monday, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee unanimously voted to advance legislation (S-1701) that would add additional requirements for the approval of PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreements between municipalities and developers.

Among other things, the bill would require developers seeking a PILOT to include a cost-benefit analysis as part of their application. In addition, municipal officials would be required to submit an independent analysis of the proposed redevelopment project, including the impact on local revenue collections, the local school district and county government.

The New Jersey League of Municipalities opposes the bill, and argues that it will increase costs and limit local decision-making authority.

NAIOP New Jersey issued a statement highlighting its concern with an amendment to the bill that would require the annual service charge to be distributed in proportion to the amount of revenue received by the county, municipality, and school district from the property tax. The organization argues that the amendment will greatly limit the usefulness of PILOT agreements.

While an identical bill has been introduced in the Assembly and referred to the State and Local Government Committee, it has yet to receive a vote.

If interested in learning more about state and local development incentives, please do not hesitate to contact Murphy Partners LLP at (973) 877-6984 or info@murphyllp.com.

On Tuesday, June 12, 2018, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will hold its monthly board meeting. Among the actions to be taken, the Board will consider two applications under the Grow New Jersey Assistance Program (Grow NJ). If approved, the two applicants could receive over $60,000,000 in tax credits (over 10 years).

Created under the Economic Opportunity Act of 2013, the Grow New Jersey Assistance Program (Grow NJ) is the State’s main job creation and retention incentive program. Under the Grow NJ program, businesses creating or retaining jobs in the State may be eligible for tax credits ranging from $500 to $5,000 per job, per year; with bonus credits ranging from $250 to $3,000 per job, per year (awards vary based on applicable criteria).

The Grow NJ program has been wildly popular and incredibly successful. Since its implementation, 252 projects have received awards, totaling over $4.7 billion in tax credits. Approved applicants generally have three years to certify, or complete, a project. A project is deemed complete when the applicant has hired or retained the number of employees listed in its application, and satisfied the program’s capital investment requirements. Once certified, the 252 projects will drive over $4.5 billion in private capital investment, create over 30,000 new jobs, and retain over 36,000 jobs at risk of leaving the State.

If interested in learning more about Grow NJ or other economic development incentive programs, please do not hesitate to contact Murphy Partners LLP at (973) 877-6984 or info@murphyllp.com.