December 2, 2021

JBOC Action To Move Funds on Wind Power, Dredging, Port Improvements and Higher Education Funding

The Joint Budget Oversight Commission has moved nearly $700 M in capital improvement projects forward, from funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the New Jersey Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund.

Monies from the ARPA will go toward development of an additional Level 1 Trauma Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, and 12 other projects.

Monies from the latter will go to projects such as acceleration of wind energy development (along with port improvements and dredging that will need to accompany that) and two Rowan University projects.

Details Soon Emerging On Biden Infrastructure Bill

Details are emerging on the new federal infrastructure bill.

At a minimum, $12.3 B is coming to New Jersey, led by $6.9B for highways, $4.2B for transit and $1.1B for bridges.

A 2022 priority of the Alliance is to work with the Governor, every state agency, our congressional delegation and our own members to ensure that projects can move to “shovels in the ground” as quickly as possible. 

Ground Broken for New Innovation Hub

Preliminary construction will soon begin on the New Jersey Innovation and Technology Hub, a 550,000 sq.ft. development that will house international research and medical education projects in downtown New Brunswick. Major construction should proceed during 2023. Already underway in New Brunswick is the Jack and Sheryl Morris Cancer Center building.

Fort Monmouth Selling Off 289 Acres



The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority is now selling off 289 acres of the former military tract. New building opportunities may soon emerge from the sale, which has already drawn notable bidders who are expected to soon be drawing up plans. 

NJBPU To Continue Grid Modernization Hearings

The Board of Public Utilities has begun a series of stakeholder hearings on modernization of current utility grid infrastructure. The next in the series will be held Jan. 14, March 1 and May 5. The last meeting will invite public comments on the BPU’s final report on grid modernization.

Upcoming Events

12/8/21 - Princeton University Environmental Studies + School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Virtual Event. Click here to register.

12/14/21 - Upcoming Construction at the Port Authority with Chairman Kevin O'Toole. Click here to register.

Thank You For Supporting The 2021 Transportation Industry Food Drive

DOT Local Municipal Aid Grants To Produce Opportunities

Previously announced Transportation Trust Fund Local Transportation Aid Grants are soon expected to present new construction opportunities. The largest grants in this $161M allocation were $2.9M for Newark, $1.76M for Jersey City and $1M for Camden.

NJ Windport Leases Draw Bids

NJEDA has received bids from six potential tenants and they are all global renewable energy leaders. The 200-acre port is being built in Lower Alloways Creek to foster the State’s offshore wind industry and is the first such facility on the East Coast.

NJIT Innovation Fund Kicks Off

The New Jersey Institute of Technology has introduced the NJIT Venture Fund. The Fund is coming out of the school’s endowment and will make up to $75,000 investments in early-stage startups. 

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

-Jennifer Velez, former NJ Human Services Commissioner, will become General Counsel of Horizon Blue Cross & Blue Shield January 3, 2022. Joining her on Horizon’s senior leadership team will be Ulysses “Uli” Diaz. Diaz is being promoted to senior vice president of government affairs.

-Patricia Costello has been named the new managing member of the newly re-branded CSG Law Firm (formerly Chiesa, Shahinian and Giantomasi in West Orange. She will become the first female head of the firm, originally established in 1972.

-Diane Konopka has been promoted to President of Stokes Creative Group. Diane is a 32-year veteran of the firm.