a. It is of significant economic importance to the State of New Jersey and its residents that the State supports the future development, expansion, and continued success of New Jersey’s burgeoning craft alcohol beverage industry in a myriad of ways, including direct financial support for industry-related research, development, and promotion activities positively impacting the operation and growth of New Jersey’s limited brewery, restricted brewery, cidery, meadery, and craft distillery industries.

b. According to recent national industry statistics, New Jersey’s craft beer industry is composed of hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses impacting the employment and livelihoods of over 8,000 individuals and their families statewide, equating to an over $1.35 billion annual economic impact in the State. New Jersey’s growing craft beer industry of production breweries and brewpubs has become a tourist draw for both in-State and out-of-State visitors, positively impacting State revenue and the economic vitality of host communities and other local business in proximity to many New Jersey craft breweries.

c. The State’s distilled spirits industry, which supports almost 56,000 jobs and generates nearly $4.7 billion in annual State economic activity, including to New Jersey’s local communities and the State in taxes, has experienced noteworthy growth and increased financial investment in the State’s local craft distillery sector in recent years, which has positively impacted the local communities where these businesses are situated and the State’s tourism and hospitality industry as whole.

d. Small producers of New Jersey-produced hard cider and mead, which are contributing greater amounts of financial investment and tax revenue to the State and their local communities in recent years, are growing in consumer popularity nationwide, which entail supports the State’s agricultural community and vendors through the purchase of New Jersey-sourced products such as apples, other produce, and local honey.

e. Travel and tourism is one of the largest employment sectors and highest revenue-generating industries in the State of New Jersey, a vibrant travel and tourism industry is vital to the overall economic well-being of New Jersey’s citizens, and a robust craft alcohol beverage industry is crucial to promoting travel and tourism in this State.

f. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there exists a heightened sense of fear and hesitancy in people to travel and experience tourism destinations, which has caused tremendous disruption throughout the State’s travel and tourism industry, including travel and tourism to the State’s craft alcohol beverage industries.

g. According to the 2021 report released by the Division of Travel and Tourism, the “Economic Impact of Tourism in New Jersey 2020,” the number of people visiting the State dropped by 27 percent in 2020, from 116.2 million visitors in 2019 to 84.6 million visitors in 2020. Visitor spending also decreased sharply by 37 percent in 2020, from $46.4 billion in 2019 to $29.4 billion in 2020.

h. The success of the State’s craft alcoholic beverage industry, in an international, ultra-competitive marketplace, necessitates dependable and consistent financial resources so that these industries may be collectively supported and promoted on both a domestic and global basis, and to help address evolving industry priorities related to technology innovations, economic and supply chain challenges, food and beverage science research, workforce training and availability issues, and destination marketing trends.

L.2021, c.438, s.1.