NJEDA Participating in 4 Coalitions Applying to Build Back Better Regional Challenge

On Sep 17, 2021

Gov. Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced the NJEDA’s participation in four regional coalitions preparing applications for the U.S. Economic Development Authority’s (U.S. EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC). The Challenge is a federal grant program to help communities adopt and implement transformational, industry-based economic development strategies that strengthen economic diversity and resiliency in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The four coalitions that NJEDA has joined focus on regional industry clusters that are part of Governor Murphy’s Stronger and Fairer Economic Plan, including biomanufacturing, clean energy, aviation, and smart ports.

The NJEDA will host a public information and idea gathering session on the Build Back Better Regional Challenge at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. Representatives of for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities are all encouraged to attend to learn more about the challenge. In addition, the NJEDA will be seeking input on potential priority projects that could be included in the four coalition applications.

Join the information session here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_84JFnsqSTBGV_hGP4-qPuA.

“As we build toward a stronger, fairer recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we keep our eyes to the future and identify industry-based strategies that will drive long-term, equitable growth,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is a fantastic opportunity to engage New Jersey’s innovative thinkers and industry leaders to craft projects that will not only help us bounce back from the impacts of COVID-19, but also lay the foundation for long-term success.”

According to NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan, “Aviation innovation, biomanufacturing, clean energy, and smart ports are all sectors that Governor Murphy has identified as priorities because of their potential to drive transformative economic growth and job creation. The NJEDA is proud to partner with thought leaders and industry innovators throughout New Jersey to support high-impact applications in these sectors.”

The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is a federal program that will fund projects that create high-quality jobs, increase wages, and revitalize communities in places that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications must be centered around developing or growing a regional industry cluster, with a long-term transformational vision and a plan for execution. More information about the Challenge is available at https://eda.gov/arpa/build-back-better/.

Applicants for the Challenge act as a regional coalition with one lead entity per application. Eligible coalition members include government entities, nonprofits, and higher education institutions. For-profit entities cannot be a primary coalition applicant, but can participate as “coalition partners” offering industry expertise, commit to investment or job creation related to the industry cluster, and formally express support for the coalition’s application.

The application process for the Build Back Better Regional Challenge takes place in two phases. Applications for Phase 1 are due October 19, 2021. During this phase the U.S. EDA will select 50 to 60 winners to receive planning grants of up to $500,000. Winners will use these planning grants to support the preparation of the coalition’s Phase 2 application, which is due March 15, 2022. During Phase 2, the U.S. EDA will choose 20 to 30 winners to receive implementation grants of $25 to $100 million.

The four applicant coalitions the NJEDA is supporting include:

The aviation innovation coalition is focused on smart aviation and aerospace in South Jersey, including Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Advanced Air Cargo, and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). The coalition is considering infrastructure construction projects, including a vertiport and droneport; airspace planning; workforce training programs; microgrants for underrepresented youth to develop aviation innovations and businesses; and curricula for regional high schools and colleges focused on UAS and AAM. This coalition is led by Atlantic County and the Atlantic County Economic Alliance (ACEA). Individuals and organizations interested in sharing project ideas or joining the aviation innovation coalition should reach out to [email protected] by noon on Sept. 28.

The biomanufacturing coalition is focused on advanced manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and developing new, more efficient ways to produce medicines to reduce reliance on foreign drug manufacturing and shorten supply chains to help patients. The coalition is also working on training an expanded workforce on new and unique manufacturing processes, enabling digital design of products and processes, accelerating pharmaceutical product and manufacturing process development, and developing real time quality assurance processes.

This coalition is led by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and will leverage existing physical, educational, and talent assets in the Northeast corridor, including the NJ BioScience Center, the New Brunswick Innovation HUB, BioCentriq at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), major research institutions, community colleges, and major biopharma companies with headquarters in New Jersey. Individuals and organizations interested in sharing project ideas or joining the biomanufacturing coalition should reach out to [email protected] by noon on Sept. 28.

The clean energy coalition is building on the Murphy Administration’s historic investments in decarbonizing New Jersey’s economy by expanding New Jersey’s clean energy sector – specifically offshore wind, clean transport, energy storage, and smart grid technologies. The coalition is considering infrastructure projects, workforce training, and business acceleration efforts to support the manufacturing supply chain for clean energy.

The coalition is led by Rowan University and includes multiple other higher education partners and thought leaders in the clean energy space. Individuals and organizations interested in sharing project ideas or joining the clean energy coalition should reach out to [email protected] by noon on Sept. 28.

The smart ports regional coalition is focused on optimizing ports in the greater Newark area to expand regional economic impact and spur large-scale job creation. The coalition will focus on innovative transportation systems, including industry projects of advanced technologies for freight movement, clean energy, data analytics and secured IT systems, supply chain improvements, workforce development, facility design, and an on-line property marketplace for off-port related businesses. These projects will be guided by principles of equity and social and environmental justice.

This coalition is led by the City of Newark in partnership with New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Additional coalition partners include Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT), Invest Newark, and North Jersey Transportation Authority. Individuals and organizations interested in sharing project ideas or joining the smart ports coalition should reach out to [email protected] by noon on Sept. 28.

The NJEDA is hosting a public information session about the Build Back Better Regional Challenge program and the four applicant coalitions the NJEDA is supporting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21. The program will include an overview of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge program and presentations from each of the coalitions about their vision and the types of projects they are considering. Representatives of for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities are all encouraged to attend to learn more and provide input.

In addition to attending the information session, the NJEDA is also encouraging individuals, organizations, and businesses to submit one-page project idea summaries to the relevant applicant coalition by noon on September 28. Ideas for aviation innovation projects should be sent to [email protected]; ideas for biomanufacturing projects should be sent to [email protected]; ideas for clean energy projects should be sent to [email protected]; and ideas for smart ports projects should be sent to [email protected].

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