Enhanced SmartStart Buildings Incentives
Incentive rates are doubled for equipment installed in existing buildings that meet at least one of the eligibility criteria listed below. Please refer to individual application forms for complete information.
All projects are subject to an incentive cap equal to the applicant’s cost for the project (material and labor). Enhanced incentives are not applicable to new construction projects or custom applications. To qualify for this enhanced incentive, documentation as listed in the table below must be provided with the application package demonstrating that the entity or building location meets at least one of the eligibility categories listed below.
| Eligibility Basis | Criteria |
| Located in an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) | The building where equipment is or will be installed must be located within the bounds of an Urban Enterprise Zone. Please follow the steps below to confirm your facility is within the qualifying zone.
The building location must be checked against the NJ Community Asset Map. For the avoidance of doubt, companies do not need to become a Certified UEZ Business to be eligible for enhanced incentives from NJCEP. |
| Located in an Opportunity Zone (OZ) | The building where equipment is or will be installed must be located within the bounds of an Opportunity Zone. Please follow the steps below to confirm your facility is within the qualifying zone.
The building location must be checked against the NJ Community Asset Map. |
| Affordable Housing | Any multifamily housing that an official document identifies as participating in a federal, state, or local affordable housing program. This includes, by way of example only, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs listing of Affordable Housing available here as well as official documents showing identification by the documents regarding New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, United States Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD). |
| Owned or Operated by a Municipal Entity | The building must be owned or operated by a Municipal Entity as evidenced by the name listed on the utility bill(s) for the building. If the name as shown on the utility bill(s) does not clearly delineate a Municipal Entity, other documentation may be accepted to demonstrate ownership on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Program Manager for specific guidance.
The Municipal Entity name must be recognized on the New Jersey Municipalities Search tool available at: https://www.nj.gov/nj/gov/direct/municipality.html. |
| Owned or Operated by a County Entity | The building must be owned or operated by a County Entity as evidenced by the name listed on the utility bill(s) for the building. If the name as shown on the utility bill(s) does not clearly delineate a County Entity, other documentation may be accepted to demonstrate ownership on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Program Manager for specific guidance.
Enhanced incentives for Counties apply to: |
| Owned or Operated by a K-12 Public School | The building must be owned or operated by a K-12 Public School as evidenced by the name listed on the utility bill(s) for the building. If the name as shown on the utility bill(s) do not clearly delineate a K-12 Public School, other documentation may be accepted to demonstrate ownership on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Program Manager for specific guidance.
The K-12 Public School name must be recognized on the New Jersey School Directory available at: https://homeroom5.doe.state.nj.us/directory/pub.php. |