The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) board approved $350,000 in tax credits under the Brownfields Redevelopment Incentive (BRI) Program. The award will support the cleanup of a long-dormant manufacturing site in Elmwood Park.

The initiative supports remediation costs, incentivizing developers to cleanup brownfield sites across the state. BRI aims to transform these contaminated properties into community assets. Under the program, a onetime award of up to 60% of remediation costs is available for eligible sites. The maximum award value is $8 million.

The tax credits awarded May 15 went to Ninety Nine Main Avenue Redevelopment to remediate 99 Main Ave. in Elmwood Park. Previously, the site supported manufacturing from 1955-1989. A tank containing cleaning products leaked at the property, causing soil and groundwater contamination.

Last year, the developer entered into an agreement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to remediate the site. It plans to use the property for a construction business once remediation is complete.

‘Something useful’

What’s old is new:

Completed in 2023, a former paper mill in Holland is now home to a 17-megawatt solar project. Click here to read more.

“After decades of pollution and contamination at this site in Elmwood Park, the BRI Program will support the property’s remediation, which will allow for a new business to open on the site, creating new jobs and increased spending in the area,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “As this program continues to support additional projects across the state, it will help rejuvenate communities and unlock untapped economic potential.”

“This tax credit awarded to the 99 Main Avenue site in Elmwood Park eliminates long-standing environmental hazards and will revitalize the property, ultimately spurring further job creation here in Bergen County,” said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.

Elmwood Park Mayor Robert Colletti described the announcement as great news for the borough and its residents.

“We are thankful that the site will be turned into something useful and that will hopefully add jobs to our community,” said Colletti. “The residents and other businesses on that street deserve to have a new, updated, aesthetically pleasing property at that location that will help to enhance property values and improve the morale in the neighborhood.”

“The DEP is eager to work with all parties to facilitate the cleanup of the legacy contamination at this site in Elmwood Park so that it can be redeveloped to better serve the needs of the community,” said NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette.