The Murphy administration announced Wednesday the hiring of Josh Berliner as executive director of the New Jersey-Israel Commission. Berliner Berliner succeeds Andrew Gross, who left the commission last year for a role at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). He brings extensive experience, including a 12-year tenure at the Government of Israel Economic Mission to North America. Most recently, he served as director of business development, playing a critical role in connecting Israeli health innovation and biotech startups with the local and regional ecosystem. In a press rel ..read more

The Department of Justice announced April 12 four new national partners for its Procurement Collusion Strike Force, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey led by U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger. Established in 2019, the PCSF combats antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes impacting government procurement, grant and program funding. That work transcends all levels of government – local, state and federal. The other new national partners announced April 12 are: The District of Alaska, led by S. Lane Tucker Eastern District of Louisiana, led by Duane Evans Th ..read more

During a busy board meeting this week, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) approved $9.5 million in funding to support five projects as part of its pilot Film and Digital Media Infrastructure Program. The initiative provides grant funding to municipalities, counties and state entities for infrastructure improvements and site work to support film or digital media studio production facility development. The NJEDA says that the program supports economic development in the state’s burgeoning film and digital media sector — leading to the creation of new studios. In turn, that wi ..read more

U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Philip Sellinger announced Wednesday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reached a settlement agreement with a Somerset-based pharmaceutical manufacturer. The agreement resolves allegations Novel Laboratories violated the Controlled Substances Act. Novel agreed to pay $2.25 million under the memorandum of agreement, which is in effect for the next three years. There was no determination of liability. “From Jan. 1, 2019, to Aug. 31, 2021, Novel committed CSA violations involving its failure to account f ..read more

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority board approved two key items April 10 pertaining to the Murphy administration’s green energy goals. First, the board took up the New Jersey Green Bank, which will make investments in the clean energy sector and help advance the state’s efforts to facility an equitable energy transition. NJEDA officials said the Green Bank, a component of the 2019 Energy Master Plan, will be dedicated to investing in projects, technologies and companies that align with the state’s climate goals, including in areas such as zero-emissions transportation, building dec ..read more

State officials are inviting employers to participate in the long-anticipated RetireReady NJ – the first publicly administered savings program in New Jersey – with a pilot launch slated for this spring. In 2019, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation – the New Jersey Secure Choice Savings Program Act – to facilitate the establishment of the program, which is designed to reach workers who do not have access to a private retirement plan. The pandemic pushed back the implementation of the program. However, during his budget address earlier this year, Murphy announced that the launch was coming this ..read more

The dust is still settling after last month’s New Jersey Chamber of Commerce ReNew Jersey Business Summit and Expo, with the impact and reaction reverberating across the state. The event brought together business and government leaders and other notable stakeholders with a robust set of panel discussions, an exhibitor hall and networking for more than 900 attendees and 100 exhibitors, along with some 50 speakers. “We are here today to celebrate doing business in the State of New Jersey,” said New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Bracken as he kicked off the event. “There are m ..read more

Morristown-based thinktank Garden State Initiative announced Thursday the elevation of longtime President Regina Egea to chairman of the board of directors. Current Policy Director Audrey Lane was named her successor, effective immediately. A former chief of staff for Gov. Chris Christie and longtime AT&T executive, Egea was a driving force behind GSI’s 2017 launch. The organization says it strengthens the Garden State by providing an alternative voice and common-sense policy solutions that promote new investment, job growth, innovation and economic opportunities. The organization “envisi ..read more

Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch toured state officials and other stakeholders through the Brainy Borough’s shuttered Forum Theater April 2. The trip, which included Gov. Phil Murphy, marked recent funding for a long-anticipated project to revitalize the historic venue. “Today we’re proud to announce our vision for the Forum Theater is closer to reality,” said Busch in a social media post following the event. In 2019, Metuchen received a $3.5 million grant from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund to facilitate the purchase of the Forum Theater. The venue first opened in 1928 ..read more

According to the ESOP Association, there are 133 employee stock ownership plans in New Jersey. That’s a figure the state is seeking to boost. To that end, the New Jersey Economic Authority is now gathering information from businesses and individuals across the state. The NJEDA issued a Request for Information April 1 that seeks insights for “proven best practices, potential challenges and appropriate considerations” to help the agency get to work on an initiative to broaden employee ownership in New Jersey. Gov. Phil Murphy announced the concept as part of his Fiscal Year 2025 spending plan ..read more