Have A Need? NJBAC Can Help.

The NJBAC is offering no-cost technical assistance, training, and problem-solving – we are here to support all of your Business Enhancement needs. Whether you have a one-off resource question, are looking for a strategic assessment of a district, or could use some quick visualized tactical inspiration to foster visible and tangible change, NJBAC can help. Contact NJBAC Assistant Director Jef Buehler to start the conversation and move towards action.

Today’s email has information on assistance we can provide, as well as about technical and financial resources that may be a fit for your community or district.

Best Practices

The Private Inspection Option Is Now Live:  As of April 1, 2024 law allows developers to hire supplemental on-site private inspection agencies to perform property inspections if the local construction officials are unable to complete an inspection within three business days of the requested date, provided the property owner or developer provides a minimum of 24 hours written notice to the municipality requesting the inspection. The Uniform Construction Code (UCC) Subchapter 4 defines the parameters of private inspection agencies - they must be “certified” (paying fees, meeting defined criteria) with the DCA in order to take over for governmental staff in terms of doing project inspections under this law.  The details of the law are online here.

Parking Fees – Use Them for Good & Help Stakeholders See Their Value:  Experiencing blowback from new (or old!) parking meters and payment systems in your district? Looking for meaningful ways to leverage parking fee revenue to address stakeholder needs? Consider setting up (formally or informally) a Parking Benefits District.  Here’s a free how-to guide with examples, as well as the online version.  Interested, and want to make it happen locally? Let us know!

Featured Grants & Support

T-Mobile Hometown Grants Now Available: These grants for communities of 50,000 people or less are part of a $25 million, five-year initiative to support the people and organizations who help small towns across America thrive and grow. Hometown Grants are given every quarter to up to 25 small towns. Apply for funding to support a community project of your choice, like revitalizing or repurposing a historic structure, creating a downtown asset or destination, or improving a space where friends and neighbors gather. Projects that add to a sense of place or could lead to further investment are of particular interest; grants can go up to $50,000 and the application is due June 30, 2024.

Brownfield Development Area Application Deadline Extended:  Prospective developers of Brownfield sites should know that NJDEP's deadline for Brownfield Development Area (BDA) applications is now extended to July 31, 2024. This gives more time to plan the remediation and redevelopment of multiple contaminated sites. Need help? View the January training at NJDEP BDA Training and attend the April 10, 2024 Brownfield Quarterly Roundtable Meeting. Questions? Email bdaapp@dep.nj.gov or call 609-984-1790.

Job Opportunities

Economic Development Director – Highland Park Borough:  Highland Park is looking for an Economic Development Director. Information to apply can be found at this link.

Executive Director – Perth Amboy Business Improvement District: The recently-expanded Perth Amboy BID is seeking a new Executive Director. Here is the job description and application information.

NJBAC Can Work With All the Businesses in Your Community

We are here for your communities’ and districts’ businesses. NJBAC offers free online chat and telephone (800-537-7397) assistance in English and Spanish to any business in NJ – any size, any location, and any type. Our team can advocate for businesses, concierge them to funding and technical solutions, help them find locations for growth or developing export markets, guide them to navigating the commercial cannabis sector, and much more. Want to set something up online or on-site for your businesses? Reach out to NJBAC Assistant Director Jef Buehler to get plugged in to all of our business success services.