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The Murphy administration announced the designation of 13 Brownfield Development Areas (BDAs) in 10 Garden State communities.

The approvals mark the first 13 BDAs added to the program since 2009. New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette re-launched the initiative in 2023. To date, the program has transformed more than 1,000 acres of brownfields

“This next step in the relaunching of the BDA program reinforces DEP’s commitment to the redevelopment of brownfield sites that place tremendous economic, environmental, and public health burdens on municipalities,” said LaTourette. “The Murphy administration looks forward to working with all of our community and redevelopment partners to restore these new Brownfield Development Areas to their full and productive use.”

Key details of the program and selection process include:

• BDA designation qualifies local municipalities and redevelopment authorities to receive up to $5 million annually in state Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF) grants. That includes remedial action matching grants providing up to 75% for remedial action costs for any site reuses within the BDA
• NJDEP provides a single point of contact in the Office of Brownfield and Community Revitalization  to coordinate investigation, remediation and redevelopment plans
• The NJDEP Office of Brownfield and Community Revitalization scored applications for
  • • Completeness;
    • Description of local redevelopment plans;
    • Support for redevelopment plans;
    • Level of community involvement; and
    • Anticipated benefits to the community, public health and the environment
• Approved applications include two or more brownfield sites in a contiguous area

Next, the designees will sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the NJDEP, each municipality and BDA Steering Committee.

Mayor Lisa Jiampetti described the announcement as a pivotal moment for Egg Harbor City.

“With this new BDA Designation, essential tools, and funding, we can address long-neglected contaminated sites,” said Jiampetti. “By collaborating with NJDEP, redevelopers, and other stakeholders, we will turn these areas into vibrant spaces that energize our community and create lasting opportunities for future generations.”

“This commitment to Brownfield remediation is critical toward the continued efforts to ensure N.J. residents are provided with a healthy environment,” said Burlington City Mayor Barry Conaway.

‘Remediating brownfields just makes sense’

Speaking on behalf of his more than 800 members, NAIOP New Jersey Executive Director Dan Kennedy said the organization commends NJDEP for its commitment to the BDA program.

“The newly designated BDAs and those already designated represent a huge opportunity to clean up sites and get them back to productive uses including but not limited to critically needed housing, logistics assets including warehouses, and community facilities like trails and parks,” said Kennedy.

Last month, NJBIZ reported on bipartisan legislation introduced on the federal level by U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-NJ 11th District – as well as a 2025 gubernatorial candidate. That measure would provide tax incentives for the cleanup and repurposing of brownfield sites for commercial use and economic development.

“Remediating brownfields just makes sense: we can clean up toxic chemicals and waste from our groundwater, help mitigate flooding, and transform these currently unused spaces into economic opportunities for businesses to invest in our communities,” said Sherrill. “That’s why I am reintroducing this bipartisan legislation to bring our hard-earned federal dollars back to New Jersey to help remediate and build on New Jersey’s brownfields.”