Liberty Science Center in Jersey City was the recipient of a $1 million donation from the ADP Foundation toward its unique innovation campus being developed. Dubbed SciTech Scity, the innovation campus will foster the creation and growth of new companies that use science and technology to make the world a better place. SciTech Scity aims to be an internationally recognized community where businesses test — and visitors and residents experience — new science-based products and services before they come to market.
“A firm believer in doing well by doing good, ADP recognizes its responsibility to give back to and generate a lasting, positive impact upon the communities in which we work and live,” Bob Lockett, chief diversity and talent officer of Roseland-based payroll and human resources firm ADP, said. “These communities are being challenged in new ways as the world continues to evolve, demanding innovative solutions for navigating forward. The ADP Foundation is proud to support Liberty Science Center’s SciTech Scity in our continued commitment to positively impacting the world through innovation.”
“We are grateful to the ADP Foundation for its support of our vision,” LSC CEO and President Paul Hoffman stated. “Just as ADP is utilizing technological advancements to reshape the world of work, we know science and technology are also the keys to the economic, social and intellectual future of our country. We need STEM-related talent to compete globally and we need STEM innovation to cement our position as a global leader. SciTech Scity will help to drive New Jersey’s innovation economy and help put Jersey City and the state on the leading edge of applied science worldwide.”
The components of SciTech Scity
It’s easy — and impressive — to list the parts of SciTech Scity (see full story here):
- Edge Works: An eight-story, 100,000-square-foot business incubation hub that includes a conference center and research & development space for both startups and well-established companies;
- Liberty Science Center High School: It aims to be the best STEM high school in the country;
- Scholars Village: Residential housing for innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs, STEM graduate students and anyone who wants to be a part of the SciTech Scity community;
- Public Commons: 4 acres of outdoor activations that encourage exploration, creativity, collaboration and innovation.
The ADP Foundation’s support is just the latest commitment made by the company. Lockett joined LSC’s board of trustees in January, supporting the center’s efforts to create SciTech Scity. Additionally, Josh Weston — who served as CEO of ADP for 15 years until his retirement and is now chairman emeritus — is a trustee of both SciTech Scity and LSC, where he is also chairman emeritus.
SciTech Scity is a public-private partnership. The city of Jersey City gifted land worth $18 million, and Liberty Science Center has lined up approximately $400 million of the $440-million construction budget. Extensive site work is currently ongoing with construction expected to start early in the summer of 2023 once the final $40 million is in place.
SciTech Scity is scheduled to open in 2025.
Donors include Frank J. Guarini, David Barry, the Overdeck Family Foundation, the Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation, Joe and Millie Williams and Josh and Judy Weston. Major corporate partners include EY, Verizon, Bank of America, the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and now ADP.
Subsequent phases of SciTech Scity may include expanded incubation spaces, wet labs, additional schools, a satellite campus of a major university or other facilities to drive STEM innovation and job creation.
