ASPIRE PROGRAM

Open in new Tab ASPIRE PROGRAM In an effort to balance fiscal responsibility and the Sherrill administration’s focus on affordability, the Authority is temporarily pausing the acceptance of new Aspire Program applications, effective 5:00 EDT, on Thursday, July 23rd, 2026. Additionally, demand for the Aspire Program far exceeds available resources. During the pause, the NJEDA will conduct a review of the program and no new applications will be accepted. The Authority expects to reopen applications this fall with revised criteria. CEO Explanatory Note to Stakeholders APPLY HERE Aspire is a gap financing tool to support commercial, mixed use, and residential real estate development projects that replaces the Economic Redevelopment and Growth Grant (ERG). ELIGIBILITY AWARD CAPS FISCAL AND RESIDENT PROTECTIONS APPLICATION FEES ELIGIBILITY To be eligible for Aspire support, a project must: Demonstrate through NJEDA analysis that without the incentive award, the redevelopment project is not economically feasible. Demonstrate that a project financing gap exists and/or the redevelopment project will generate a below market rate of return. Be located in a designated “Incentive Area.” Include developer who has an equity participation of at least 20 percent of the total cost. Result in a net positive benefit to the State. Meet specific cost thresholds (for residential projects), depending on where the project is located. Please be advised: New Jersey State law prohibits most cannabis license and certification holders from receiving or continuing to receive an economic incentive from the NJEDA. If the applicant, or any person who controls the applicant or owns or controls more than one percent of the stock of the applicant, has applied for or received a license or a certification from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC), the applicant is ineligible for this program and should not proceed with an application. If an application is received from an applicant that meets this criteria, the application will be declined and the application fee will not be refunded. Eligible Incentive Locations The NJEDA has provided this mapping tool to assist potential applicants to determine if projects may be eligible to participate in the Aspire Program, or related “Transformative Projects.” A project location within an incentive area does not guarantee eligibility for participation in the Program. CLICK HERE FOR THE MAPPING TOOL PROJECT CAPS 85% of eligible costs up to $120 Million for projects located in Atlantic Paterson 80% of eligible costs up to $120 Million for projects located in Camden, East Orange, and New Brunswick 60% of eligible costs up to $90 Million for LIHTC projects or projects located in a qualified incentive tract or enhanced area municipality with a MRI Distress Score of at least 50 Enhanced areas include: Jersey 50% of eligible costs up to $60 million for all other eligible projects Transformative caps are the same percentages noted above but up to $400 Million Tax Credits are disbursed over a ten-year period. Certain projects in GRMs are disbursed either in five- or ten-year period FISCAL AND RESIDENT PROTECTIONS To demonstrate local support for the project, the developer must have a letter of support for project from the chief executive of the municipality and must enter into a Community Benefits Agreement and also a Redevelopment Agreement with the project’s municipal governing body. APPLICATION NJEDA is currently accepting applications for the Aspire program. Consultation with Aspire program staff prior to beginning work on an application is advised because completing the application will require focused time and attention on the applicant’s part; because Aspire program eligibility rules are nuanced; and because application fees are non-refundable.