On Thursday, February 16, the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey’s (CCSNJ) Manager of Government Affairs, Hilary Chebra testified before the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on a package of bills aimed at growing the innovation economy in New Jersey.

The bill package includes the following measures:

• A-5158 (Tully/Murphy/Freiman) - Establishes an advertisement grant program for New Jersey emerging businesses in science and technology with fewer than 225 employees.
• A-5159 (Tully/Freiman/Carter) - Establishes the Office of Financial Assistance in Economic Development Authority to help businesses and non-profit organizations access opportunities for public financial assistance; requires the office to develop common application platform.
• A-5160 (Tully/Murphy/Freiman) - Requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to create needs-matching website for entities engaged in innovation.
• A-5161 (Tully/Park/Moen) - Requires the Director of Division of Housing and Community Resources in the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, to establish a grant program encouraging local governments to promote New Jersey as an innovation hub in certain fields.

In her testimony, Ms. Chebra stated it is often difficult for small businesses with limited resources to understand and navigate the available programs New Jersey offers. She went on to explain that this bill package will remove barriers for businesses, help increase access to vital state resources and create new programs to aid businesses in the innovation space.

To read the CCSNJ testimony on the bill package, click here.