Murphy team approves $11.4M in tax breaks for urban redevelopment program

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The Murphy administration approved $11.4 million of corporate tax breaks for some of the state’s largest companies, in return for financing nonprofits in some of New Jersey’s poorest cities.

Formally known as the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit, the state program provides tax cuts to businesses for any dollars they provide to nonprofits. The $11.4 million was provided to companies who helped finance 18 nonprofits in 11 cities, which include Atlantic City, Camden, Newark, Paterson and Trenton.

Those nonprofits must in turn use at least 60% of the funds for housing and economic development, and the remaining funds toward “supportive services and other activities that promote neighborhood revitalization,” according to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which oversees the program.

Eligible projects include construction and rehabilitation of housing stock, employment training, social services, recreation, small business assistance, and community outreach activities.

One of the largest corporate donors was Horizon Blue Cross of New Jersey, which contributed to eight nonprofits in six cities.

Other companies include NJM Insurance, which provided assistance to four nonprofits in three cities, PSEG which contributed to five nonprofits in five separate cities, Valley National Bank which contributed to seven nonprofits in six separate cities, Investors Bank which contributed to seven nonprofits in six separate cities, M&T Bank which contributed to five nonprofits in five separate cities, Provident Bank which contributed to five nonprofits in five separate cities, and TD Bank which contributed to four separate nonprofits in four separate cities.

Several large-scale Camden companies, such as New Jersey American Water and Campbell Soup Co., also contributed to local area nonprofits in return for tax incentives under the program.

“The Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program is one of the best public-private partnerships in the state because everyone wins. Corporations that participate get a tax credit and contribute to neighborhood redevelopment programs of their choosing; nonprofit groups with a proven track record of helping their communities get much needed dollars; and residents get a better neighborhood,” Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who doubles as the DCA commissioner, said in an April 8 statement.

Here’s the full rundown of the nonprofits, the cities they’re serving and how much they’re getting:

• Atlantic City Development Corp., Atlantic City: $681,250
• Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, Camden: $543,750
• Saint Joseph’s Carpenter Society, Camden: $646,667
• Camden Lutheran Housing, Camden: $850,000
• Parkside Business & Community in Partnership, Camden: $985,000
• Elizabeth Development Company of New Jersey, Elizabeth: $426,250
• Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corp., Jersey City: $821,666
• Urban League of Essex County, Newark: $391,250
• Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, Newark: $607,917
• New Brunswick Tomorrow, New Brunswick: $750,000
• Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, New Brunswick: $291,250
• New Jersey Community Development Corp., Paterson: $985,000
• Paterson Habitat for Humanity, Paterson: $887,715
• Jewish Renaissance Foundation, Perth Amboy: $261,035
• NORWESCAP, Philipsburg: $190,000
• Stand Up For Salem, Salem: $315,000
• Community Loan Fund of New Jersey, Trenton: $985,000
• Isles Inc., Trenton: $781,250