Official Site of The State of New Jersey

THE DOG DAYS ARRIVE: NOW COMES THE REAL WORK

On Sunday, New York-New Jersey Stadium hosted the World Cup Final, capping the biggest month on New Jersey soil in a generation. It followed weeks of Independence Day celebrations across every corner of the state, and eight World Cup matches at the Meadowlands that brought fans from around the world through our downtowns, transit hubs, restaurants, and hotels. New Jersey stepped onto the global stage and delivered.

Now com the dog days. Late July through mid-August is traditionally the slowest stretch for many Main Streets: temperatures peak, families migrate to the shore, kids are between camps, and the buzz from the marquee events start to fade. The districts that plan for this stretch are now the ones that can turn a summer surge into lasting momentum. 

FEATURED GRANT AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

• NJEDA Historic Property Reinvestment Program: Applications Now Open

NJEDA is now accepting applications for its Historic Property Reinvestment Program (HPRP), a tax credit program that leverages the federal historic tax credit to support rehabilitation of identified historic properties. Awards are made in the order in which completed applications are received, so earlier is better.

Award levels: Most eligible projects can receive tax credits worth up to 50 percent of eligible costs, with a maximum project cap of $8 million for qualified properties. For districts anchored by underused historic buildings, HPRP is one of the more meaningful tools available to close a gap and get a project moving. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NJEDA’s Historic Preservation team early at HistoricTaxCredit@njeda.gov to discuss project eligibility before starting the application.

• NJTPA Federal Grant Programs: A Transportation Funding Hub

For municipalities and districts weighing an infrastructure project, NJTPA’s Federal Grant Programs page is a useful bookmark. The regularly updated hub tracks federal transportation funding tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, including TOD Pilots as the Bridge Investment Program, the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, CRISI, Safe Streets and Roads for All, and more. The page also explains how NJTPA can support North Jersey applicants with letters of support, regional data, and coordination. All practical help that can strengthen a competitive application.

• Register Now: 2026 Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development

Registration is open for the 2026 Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development, taking place September 29–30, 2026, at the Waterfront Conference Center at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City. This year marks the conference’s 30th anniversary, and it will feature keynote remarks from Governor Mikie Sherrill. The event is co-hosted by the Department of Community Affairs, the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the Economic Development Authority, and the Redevelopment Authority, which means the full lineup of state economic development and housing partners will be under one roof for two days of workshops, panels, and networking. 

• New TOD RFPs: State-Owned Sites in Bayonne and Linden

Last week, Governor Sherrill announced the release of two Requests for Proposals seeking development partners to build new transit-oriented housing on state-owned land. Both sites sit directly adjacent to active rail stations and offer real opportunities to strengthen the walkable, mixed-use environment around New Jersey’s transit hubs.

• Bayonne (NJ TRANSIT): A 4.3-acre parcel adjacent to the 34th Street Station on the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, currently used for surface parking. NJ TRANSIT is hosting a site visit on July 21 at 10:00 a.m. Notices of Intent are due August 18 at 4:00 p.m. ET; proposals are due September 23 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
• Linden (NJEDA): A commuter parking lot at 101 West Elizabeth Avenue, adjacent to the NJ TRANSIT Linden station on the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast lines, sitting between two active mixed-use developments. The NJEDA Request for Qualifications and Proposals (RFQP) seeks proposals that include transit-oriented housing, resident and commuter parking, energy-efficient design, and pedestrian connectivity. 

If your district is near either station, or if you know developers active in these markets, this is worth sharing directly. Well-designed TOD in these locations will shape the surrounding commercial corridors for a generation.

BEST PRACTICES CORNER

The Permit Playbook: Your Guide to Jersey City Permits

Hudson County Economic Development Corporation (HCEDC) and Jersey City are hosting a workshop on Tuesday, July 21 on how to navigate the City’s business permitting process. This is a great idea worth borrowing for your district or municipality. Bring all departments together to explain the process and make things as smooth and streamlined as possible. For more information visit: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hudsoncountyeconomicdevelopmentcorporation_hudsoncounty-jcedc-jerseycity-activity-7483887460599586817-O0eA?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAP7GtMB3iylV7gvrOTo6JjNS8LtLgQcJmU

Beat the Heat: Programming for the Whole Family (Including the Four-Legged Ones)

The dog days work against most downtowns by default: it is too hot for casual strolling, school-year routines are off, and shore migration pulls families out of town on weekends. The districts that break the pattern do it by giving people a specific reason to come out, usually one that gets kids or pets excited, because parents and owners follow. A few ideas worth borrowing this August:

For families and kids:

• Passport or scavenger-hunt programs: Print a simple passport with 10 to 15 participating businesses; kids collect a stamp or sticker at each stop and turn it in for a small prize. Low cost, high engagement, and it drives measurable visits to businesses that opt in.
• Sidewalk chalk or window-painting days: Give kids a designated block, some chalk or washable paint, and a theme (America250, the World Cup, favorite storybook). Businesses get free public art; families get a photo op and a reason to come back.
• Family movie or concert nights: Even one recurring evening a week can anchor foot traffic. Coordinate with restaurants on kid-friendly menus and grab-and-go options.
• Story time or craft workshops in-store: Partner participating businesses with the local library or a community group. A 30-minute morning session pulls parents into stores they might not otherwise enter.

For pets and their people:

• “Yappy hours” or dog-friendly patio nights: Coordinate with restaurants with outdoor seating for a weekly dog-welcome evening. Add a shared water station and a treat sponsor and you have a repeatable event.
• Water bowl network: Provide participating storefronts with matching bowls or a window decal identifying them as pet-friendly. It is low-cost and communicates a district-wide value.
• Adoption pop-ups: Partner with a local shelter or rescue for a Saturday event. Foot traffic, feel-good story, and coverage in local media.
• “Take Your Dog Downtown” day: One dedicated day with photo stations, a costume or trick contest, and participating businesses offering dog-related perks or samples.

Two cross-cutting tips: promote in advance through the channels parents and pet owners actually use (parenting Facebook groups, local dog park bulletin boards, camp newsletters), and track something; passport turn-ins, foot counts, social tags, etc. Even simple numbers help you make the case for programming budget next year. NJBAC is glad to help you think through what might fit your district; reach out anytime.

RECOMMENDED READING

RevolutionNJ:  The State’s Hub for the 250th

The energy from July 4 does not need to end with the fireworks. RevolutionNJ, coordinated by the New Jersey Historical Commission (a sister division within the Department of State) in partnership with the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution, is the state’s central hub for programming tied to America’s 250th anniversary and its work extends well beyond a single date. New Jersey saw more Revolutionary War battles and skirmishes than any other state, and communities across all 21 counties are building out programming that reaches into 2027 and beyond.

There are two easy entry points for your district. Municipalities can pass a short resolution to become a RevolutionNJ Community, which puts your local events on a statewide promotional network. Businesses, non-profits, counties, and other organizations can apply to become RevolutionNJ Proud Partners, which is free and unlocks the same statewide reach. Both are practical ways to keep visitor interest and local pride running through the rest of the anniversary calendar. Learn more or apply at revnj.org or reach the RevolutionNJ team directly at info@revnj.org.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

New Jersey put on a summer few will forget. The next few weeks are about turning attention into staying power. It’s about sustaining foot traffic through the hottest stretch, moving projects forward with the funding tools available, and setting the fall calendar ready for what’s to come. NJBAC’s Office of Business Enhancement is here to help your district and its businesses do exactly that. As always, please share this newsletter with colleagues and partners who would find it useful.

Wishing you a strong finish to the summer,

Ryan
Manager, Office of Business Enhancement
NJ Business Action Center 
Ryan.Gleason@sos.nj.gov 
609.633.6942