The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking information and ideas as it considers establishing a pilot program to attract clean energy manufacturers to New Jersey. The program would help New Jersey capitalize on the manufacturing resurgence taking place nationwide. The RFI can be found at https://www.njeda.com/bidding/#rfi. Responses are due by November 22, 2022.
RFI responses would help to shape the development of a proposed NJEDA grant or forgivable loan program that would offset the costs for New Jersey companies or institutions that procure clean energy technologies from clean energy manufacturers looking to expand or establish a presence in the Garden State. The goal of this program is to build a pipeline of projects for clean energy manufacturers that are competitive for New Jersey customers, while helping early adopters minimize the costs of implementing clean technologies. The program would also aim to create high-quality manufacturing jobs in New Jersey, make the state a hub for clean energy manufacturing and innovation, and build a diverse workforce in the clean energy sector. It would also help meet the state’s climate and clean energy targets laid out in New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan (EMP). The EMP offers a strategic vision for the production, distribution, consumption, and conservation of energy in the State of New Jersey.
“There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the clean energy transformation, particularly when it comes to manufacturing innovative technologies needed to create a green economy,” said Jane Cohen, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy. “New Jersey continues to find new and creative ways to support businesses in this vital sector and the feedback we receive from this RFI will help us continue to attract new manufacturers while supporting those already established within the state.”
New Jersey’s manufacturing output grew at a 5.8 percent annualized pace between the fourth quarter of 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2021, which is more than double the national growth rate of 2.6 percent during that period. This program would be one of several in the manufacturing portfolio supported by more than $35 million in New Jersey’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget designed to spur capital investment, increase the adoption of new technology, attract new suppliers to the state, and expand workforce development opportunities.
“This pilot program would benefit entities that sit at the intersection of clean energy and manufacturing, two vital sectors as we work to achieve Governor Phil Murphy’s goal of establishing New Jersey as a leader in innovation,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Direct input from stakeholders with perspectives on manufacturing innovative clean energy technologies will enable us to continue make strategic investments to address their needs and positions them well for the future.”
The RFI seeks information from individuals and/or entities with perspectives on manufacturing clean energy technologies (supply) and/or accelerating their adoption (demand). Interested stakeholders in clean energy technologies, clean technology manufacturing, and/or businesses interested in, or that might benefit from, the adoption of new clean energy technologies that may still have a higher market cost are encouraged to respond.
Sullivan noted that issuance of the RFI comes just days after Governor Murphy announced the NJEDA’s plans to create a $20 million New Jersey Manufacturing Voucher Program (NJMVP) to bolster New Jersey’s manufacturing sector. That program will focus on New Jersey manufacturers within targeted industries that will purchase equipment to integrate advanced or innovative technologies, processes, and materials to improve the manufacturing of their products. The NJMVP will offer grants valued at 30 to 50 percent of the cost of eligible equipment, including installation, up to a maximum award amount of $250,000.
All RFI responses must be submitted in writing no later than 1:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, via email to earlyadopters@njeda.com. The subject line of the email should state “RFI Response-2022-RFI-OET-152 – Clean Energy Manufacturing in New Jersey – Early Adopters Pilot.”
All questions concerning the RFI announced today must be submitted in writing no later than 1:00 p.m. EDT, on Thursday, November 3, 2022, via e-mail to: earlyadopters@njeda.com. The subject line of the e-mail should state: “Questions-2022-RFI-OET-152.” Answers to questions submitted will be publicly posted on the Authority’s website on or about Thursday, November 10, 2022, at http://www.njeda.com/Bidding-Opportunities-General/Economic-Transformation-RFIs as Addendum. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to check this website regularly for updates.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.
