The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has expanded eligibility for the NJ Cool Program, which provides grants to building owners and tenants undertaking retrofit construction projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings.
The NJEDA has expanded eligibility to include projects in all designated Overburdened Communities (OBC) and formally designated Adjacent Community census blocks per the State’s Environmental Justice Law. Eligibility for the original pilot program only included projects in Atlantic City, Edison, and Newark.
Under the NJ Cool program, the NJEDA will provide grants of up to $1 million to applicants for 50% of eligible project construction costs for emissions-reducing retrofit projects. Projects are required to update the building’s heating or cooling system and can also include other energy efficiency measures or adding renewable energy systems, such as solar panels. The program also will accelerate the adoption of more environmentally friendly building systems, technologies, and construction practices within New Jersey.
The geography expansion will allow commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings in designated Overburdened Community (OBC) and formally designated Adjacent census block groups to qualify for NJ Cool. The original eligible municipalities of Atlantic City, Newark, and Edison are still eligible. A full list of designated Overburdened Communities can be found here.
Applications are open on a rolling basis.
