Choose New Jersey – the primary nonprofit marketing arm for the state – said it managed to lure 32 companies to New Jersey, or entice them to expand their operations here, last year.

All told, the 32 companies translated to 7,629 new or retained jobs in 2021, on top of $1.6 billion in capital investment toward local businesses, according to Choose NJ‘s report for last year, released on Feb. 24.

“Not only did the team have a record year for job creation, but we were also able to raise the State’s presence internationally,” reads a Thursday prepared statement from Choose NJ Board Chair and PSEG Chief Operating Officer Ralph LaRossa. “Choose New Jersey facilitated several high-profile global business attraction projects demonstrating the advantages of New Jersey.”

The Murphy administration has tried to lure industries to New Jersey ranging from clean energy and fintech to film, television and digital media productions; advanced manufacturing and logistics; and pharmaceuticals and life sciences. And at the end of his first term Gov. Phil Murphy indeed notched several wins in 2021, such as his approval of a $14.5 billion economic incentive program last January.

Offshore wind is showing promise to make New Jersey a national leader in the industry. Meanwhile, Netflix is eyeing the old Fort Monmouth army base for several studios, while other major film productions and film studios have already set up shop here. Fintech giant Fiserv said it would move several thousand jobs to Berkeley Heights in exchange for a $109 million state subsidy under the newly launched NJ Emerge program, and the HAX tech accelerator in Newark – announced in October – has the potential for an added 2,500 jobs in the years to come. WebMD also said it was moving up to 700 jobs into a 100,000-square-foot office in downtown Newark.

According to the Choose NJ report, most of the 32 businesses span the tech and life sciences sectors.

“New Jersey is a major global contender for companies to expand and grow their business,” added Wesley Matthews, the new Choose NJ president and CEO and a former diplomat.

The nonprofit has some heavy financial backers and supporters: some of New Jersey’s largest employers. Its board includes members from PSEG, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, PNC Bank, Hackensack Meridian Health, United Airlines, Prudential Financial and RWJ Barnabas Health.