47. a. An anchor institution and, if applicable, each partner anchor institution shall be eligible to receive a tax credit under the program only if the anchor institution and, if applicable, each partner anchor institution submits a program application to the authority that results in completion of a community-anchored project through a capital investment in a New Jersey State opportunity zone or, if the community-anchored project is primarily designed to result in the economic expansion of a targeted industry in this State, in an area of the State designated pursuant to the “State Planning Act,” P.L.1985, c.398 (C. 52:18A-196 et seq.), as Planning Area 1 (Metropolitan) or in a municipality with a Municipal Revitalization Index distress score of at least 50.

b. At the time of application, an anchor institution and, if applicable, each partner anchor institution seeking tax credits pursuant to the program shall demonstrate to the authority:

(1) that the proposed community-anchored project will result in a capital investment in a New Jersey State opportunity zone or, if the project is primarily designed to result in the economic expansion of a targeted industry in this State, in an area of the State designated pursuant to the “State Planning Act,” P.L.1985, c.398 (C. 52:18A-196 et seq.), as Planning Area 1 (Metropolitan) or in a municipality with a Municipal Revitalization Index distress score of at least 50;

(2) the structure and terms of the financial, corporate, and real estate instruments to be utilized to successfully complete and then operate the community-anchored project, including, but not limited to, the proposed economic and business relationship between the anchor institution and, if applicable, each partner anchor institution and any partner business;

(3) that the anchor institution and, if applicable, each partner anchor institution, along with any partner business and each partner institution participating in a community-anchored project, has not commenced any construction at the site of the community-anchored project prior to submitting an application, unless the authority determines that the community-anchored project would not be completed otherwise or, in the event the community-anchored project is to be undertaken in phases, the requested tax credit covers only phases for which construction has not yet commenced;

(4) the value of the tax credit that is necessary in each year of the eligibility period, in order for the anchor institution and, if applicable, each partner anchor institution to finance the establishment of the community-anchored project;

(5) the total aggregate value of the tax credit for the entire eligibility period that is necessary in order for the anchor institution and, if applicable, each partner anchor institution to finance the establishment of the community-anchored project;

(6) that the award of tax credits under the program will be converted into an investment by the authority into the community-anchored project, and demonstrate to the authority the anticipated current and deferred returns, as applicable, on that investment;

(7) that the community-anchored project shall comply with the standards established by the authority through regulation based on the green building manual prepared by the Commissioner of Community Affairs pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2007, c.132 (C. 52:27D-130.6), regarding the use of renewable energy, energy-efficient technology, and non-renewable resources in order to reduce environmental degradation and encourage long-term cost reduction;

(8) that the community-anchored project shall comply with the authority’s affirmative action requirements, adopted pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1979, c.303 (C. 34:1B-5.4);

(9) a description of the significant economic, social, planning, employment, environmental, fiscal, and other benefits that would accrue to the State, county, or municipality from the community-anchored project;

(10) that during the eligibility period, each worker employed to perform construction work and building services work at the community-anchored project shall be paid not less than the prevailing wage rate for the worker’s craft or trade, as determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development pursuant to P.L.1963, c.150 (C. 34:11-56.25 et seq.) and P.L.2005, c.379 (C. 34:11-56.58 et seq.). In the event the community-anchored project constitutes a lease of more than 55 percent of a single facility, these requirements shall apply to construction work and building services work at the entire facility. In the event the community-anchored project constitutes a lease of more than 35 percent of a single facility, these requirements shall apply to construction work at the entire facility;

(11) that during the eligibility period, the anchor institution and, if applicable, each partner anchor institution shall partner with one or more local community organizations that provide support and services to Work First New Jersey program recipients, in order to provide work activity opportunities and other appropriate services to Work First New Jersey program recipients, which activities and services may include, but shall not be limited to: work-study programs, internships, sector-based contextualized literacy training, skills-based training in growth industries in the State, and job retention and advancement services;

(12) the extent to which the community-anchored development will result in the expansion of a targeted industry in this State;

(13) that the timing of the award and investment of tax credits under the program shall allow for the successful completion and operation of the community-anchored project; and

(14) that the community-anchored project is viable and that the anchor institution and, if applicable, each partner anchor institution is a credible partner for completing the community-anchored project and providing the agreed-upon potential returns to the authority, as detailed in the tax credit agreement entered into pursuant to section 50 of P.L.2020, c.156 (C. 34:1B-318).

c. Prior to the board considering an application submitted by an anchor institution and, if applicable, each partner anchor institution, the authority shall confirm with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of the Treasury whether the anchor institution and, if applicable, each partner anchor institution and any partner business is in substantial good standing with the respective department, or has entered into an agreement with the respective department that includes a practical corrective action plan. The anchor institution shall certify that any contractors or subcontractors that will perform work at the community-anchored project: (1) are registered as required by “The Public Works Contractor Registration Act,” P.L.1999, c.238 (C. 34:11-56.48 et seq.); (2) have not been debarred by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development from engaging in or bidding on Public Works Contracts in the State; and (3) possess a tax clearance certificate issued by the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury. The authority may also contract with an independent third party to perform a background check on an anchor institution and, if applicable, each partner anchor institution and any partner business.

d. In order to facilitate the creation of new partnerships with anchor institutions and, if applicable, partner anchor institutions, the authority shall publish on the authority’s website a list of names and contact information for each anchor institution that has submitted an application pursuant to this section.

L.2020, c.156, s.47; amended 2021, c.160, s.19.