The New Jersey Economic Development Authority began accepting applications for the competitive grant, which will provide $2 million to a for-profit or nonprofit entity to support the organization and execution of an arts and innovation festival in 2022.

The $1 increase is in line with a law Gov. Phil Murphy signed in 2019 that will eventually see many state workers reach $15 by 2024.

Less than 24 hours after it landed on his desk, Gov. Phil Murphy approved legislation to reduce payments in lieu of taxes that the state's nine gambling halls make to Atlantic City, the local school district and the county.

Assembly Bill 521 would allow employers to immediately deduct up to $150,000 from their taxes for the costs of complying with pandemic rules in 2020 and 2021, including those aimed at reducing capacity, improving ventilation, installing barriers, adding outdoor equipment and enforcing social distancing.

“We are still in the midst of a pandemic and need to take whatever steps are necessary to safeguard and best ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our residents,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.

The program recognizes SBA-assisted small businesses for the contributions they have made to their communities and the economy.

The state has logged more than 6,000 daily cases for the past two consecutive days, the highest number since January

The state has recouped 76% of the jobs - or 548,500 positions - lost during the pandemic recession, the New Jersey Department of Labor announced on Dec. 16.

By midday on Dec. 15, nearly 500 individuals and entities had established accounts on the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission's application platform.

New Jersey is one of two states that will take part in a federal pilot program to upgrade its infrastructure and experience.

“Let’s not forget that on Election Day, there was a strong message given to everybody that affordability was a big issue for New Jersey,” Tom Bracken, who heads the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, said during a press conference hosted by his organization, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and the New Jersey chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses on Dec. 14.

Despite the state's recent good fortune with its public worker fund, Garden State Initiative found in a recent dispatch that the system is still vastly underfunded and cannot hope to dig itself out of its current financial circumstances without steep cuts to future benefits and adjustments to its investments and contributions.