Funding

• Entities who are developing new, or building upon existing Registered Apprenticeship programs
• Any employer, trade associations, labor organization, or others with programs supporting the industries in which they work

• Companies that meet the program minimums for new job creation or retained jobs
• Must be located in an eligible incentive location
• Can demonstrate the award of tax credits is a “material factor” in their decision to locate in New Jersey versus an out-of-state alternative location
• Create at least 35 new, full-time jobs (requirement may be lower if business is primarily engaged in a targeted industry or meets the definition of a ""small business"")

• Businesses must own less than 10 petroleum underground storage tanks in New Jersey
• For an interest-free loan: Businesses must have a net worth of less than $2M and demonstrate they're unable to obtain a commercial loan for all or part of the eligible costs
• For a grant: Businesses must have taxable income not exceeding $250,000 and a net worth not exceeding $500,000, excluding their primary residence and pension
• Eligibility for independent institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, volunteer fire, ambulance, first aid, emergency or rescue company or squad, is defined in the UST Finance Act

Businesses and nonprofits must commit to create or retain 1 new full-time job for every $65,000. There is an application fee of $1,000.

• Building owners or tenants can apply. The building must already exist and be used as a commercial, industrial, or institutional building
• Tenants must have owner approval and a valid lease for one year after the end of the construction project
• If applying to retrofit an institutional building, it must serve a non-profit or public purpose, like a library, hospital, or school
• Must be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDLWD) and NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
• Must provide a current tax clearance certificate

• Have 100 or fewer employees
• Be registered with the State of NJ
• Plan to provide substantive on-the-job training at your location or use approved virtual training that results in skill badges or industry-recognized credentials

Both Direct and Bridge Funding grants have the following requirements:

• May not be a nonprofit business
• Applicants must be in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor (DOL) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
• Provide a current New Jersey Tax Clearance Certificate listing the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT)
• Have a minimum of one full-time employee (working a minimum of 35 hours per week)
• 50% or more of the cumulative hours worked by all employees, founders, and contractors must be conducted in New Jersey
• The primary place of performance on the Federal SBIR/STTR grant or contract award must be a New Jersey address
• Be a recipient of a Federal SBIR/STTR Phase I, Fast Track, or Direct to Phase II grant or contract award within the last two years prior to the issuance of this Notice of Funding Availability
• The applicant cannot have been awarded more than five Federal SBIR/STTR grants or contracts (Phase I, Fast-track, Direct to Phase II combined) throughout the lifetime of the company

Any small New Jersey business with the following can apply:

• 100 or fewer employees
• A gross revenue below $12M
• A Minority or Women-owned Business Enterprise Certification

• Small businesses must be in operation for at least 1 full year and nonprofits in operation for at least 3 full years
• The business or nonprofit must not have more than $3M in total revenue

• Small businesses and nonprofits in the process of making improvements to their business with a minimum expense of $5,000
• Rent or own and operate from a facility
• Meet SBA definition of a small business