Southern New Jersey Development Council

06/11/2026

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has issued a Request for Information seeking input on opportunities to expand solar energy generation and energy storage capacity across New Jersey.

The RFI seeks feedback from developers, property owners, utilities, financial institutions, manufacturers, policy organizations, and other stakeholders on barriers, financing needs, project sites, and investment mechanisms.

For South Jersey, this is an important opportunity to support energy affordability, grid reliability, redevelopment, workforce growth, and regional competitiveness.

RFI responses are due to NJEDA by July 8, 2026.

Read the full RFI here:https://www.njeda.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-RFI-289-Solar-and-Storage.pdf

06/10/2026

New Jersey lawmakers are considering new transparency requirements for data centers as concerns grow around their impact on water use, electricity demand, infrastructure, and local communities.

The proposal would require data center owners and operators to regularly report water and energy usage to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, giving policymakers, utilities, and the public more information as these facilities continue to expand.

As data centers play a growing role in supporting cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure, the discussion highlights the need to balance economic development and technology investment with energy reliability, resource planning, and community impacts.

Read more:

Assembly panel releases bill to compel twice-yearly reporting as Sierra Club says such information is scarce

06/08/2026

06/04/2026

There's still time to register for our 30th Annual Construction Forecast!

Thank you to our lanyard sponsor PCH Technologies for your ongoing support of the event.

Join us tomorrow at Stockton University to hear from industry leaders, elected officials, and regional stakeholders about the major projects and opportunities shaping South Jersey’s construction landscape!

Register here:
https://snjdc.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/2JFl3RaF3CNCz

06/03/2026

Join industry leaders, elected officials, and regional stakeholders this Friday, June 5th at Stockton University for a timely discussion on emerging trends, major projects, and upcoming opportunities shaping South Jersey’s construction and economic development landscape!

SNJDC is proud to recognize our Presenting Sponsors for their generous support of this year’s program and our organization.

Register here:
https://snjdc.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/2JFl3RaF3CNCz

06/02/2026

Our 30th Annual Construction Forecast is this Friday!

SNJDC is pleased to recognize TD as the Title Sponsor of this year’s Construction Forecast.

Thank you to TD Bank for your continued support of SNJDC's efforts to bring together regional leaders, industry professionals, and public-sector partners for important conversations about South Jersey’s growth and development!

Join us on Friday, June 5th at Stockton University as we highlight key trends, major projects, and upcoming opportunities shaping the region’s construction landscape. We look forward to hearing from TD's Rob Curley, Mid-Atlantic Regional President, who will provide an Economic Update on South Jersey's Market!

Register here: https://snjdc.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/2JFl3RaF3CNCz

05/29/2026

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced it will propose a rule extending the legacy period for the recently adopted PACT/REAL Land Use rules for another year.

The extension is intended to provide additional time for stakeholder engagement as the state continues to evaluate flood protection standards, coastal resilience planning, affordability concerns, development impacts, and the long-term implementation of climate-related land use policies.

These rules have significant implications for municipalities, businesses, developers, and residents across Southern New Jersey, particularly in areas facing increased flood risk and coastal resiliency challenges.

Read the full article here:
https://binje.com/energy/dep-to-extend-legacy-period-around-real-rules-for-another-year/

New N.J. DEP rule proposes to extend legacy period in PACT/REAL Land Use rules for another year amidst major disputes.

05/27/2026

This morning, NJ Governor Mikie Sherrill announced a comprehensive statewide plan to address the growing impact of data centers on energy demand, resource use, and local communities.

The plan is intended to establish guardrails for data center development while supporting New Jersey’s continued role in AI innovation and investment.

The four key components include:

- Establishing rules to ensure data centers bring new clean energy online and contribute to the grid infrastructure needed to support their growth.
- Improve transparency by requiring reporting on energy and water usage.
- Developing strong statewide standards for Community Benefits Agreements.
- Require prevailing wage or union labor for construction.

As data center demand continues to grow, these policies may play an important role in shaping how future projects are planned, evaluated, and integrated into communities across the region.

Read the full release below:

https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/2026/approved/20260527a.shtml

TRENTON – Governor Sherrill today announced a comprehensive statewide plan to address the growing impact of data centers on energy demand, resource use, and local communities. These measures will help hold data centers accountable, while positioning New Jersey to lead in AI innovation.

05/26/2026

Last week, the SNJDC was proud to attend two outstanding partner organization events focused on South Jersey’s economic future.

The Greater Atlantic City Chamber hosted New Jersey Economic Development Authority Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mary K. E. Maples, Esq., who highlighted the Authority’s continued investment and impact across Atlantic City, Atlantic County, and the broader South Jersey region.

The event also featured an important discussion on development opportunities and challenges in Atlantic City, moderated by Cooper Levenson Attorneys at Law’s Ken Calemmo. The discussion underscored both the momentum taking place in Atlantic City and the continued work needed to advance meaningful private investment and redevelopment.

On Friday, the SNJDC joined the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce for a timely conversation with New Jersey Lt. Governor Dale G. Caldwell, MBA, Ed.D. and Chief Operating Officer Kellie Doucette on key priorities affecting businesses, communities, and regional growth.

We'd like to thank Danielle Norcross and Kristi Howell for convening these important discussions and for their continued partnership. Events like these strengthen collaboration across South Jersey and help ensure our region’s needs, opportunities, and economic priorities remain front and center.

05/21/2026

New Jersey is taking an important step toward modernizing and streamlining the permitting process, but the deadline to participate is tonight!

The State of New Jersey is currently accepting applications for the pilot phase of the new permitting dashboard, a centralized platform designed to help developers, businesses, and nonprofits track permit applications in one place. The pilot will initially focus on housing, energy, and commercial real estate projects, with plans to expand into additional sectors over time.

Selected participants will help shape how the platform evolves and improves, with the goal of making permitting more transparent, efficient, and user-friendly across the state. Up to 10 projects will be selected for the pilot.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM tonight, May 21, 2026.

Learn more and apply here: https://permits.nj.gov/

The New Jersey Permitting Dashboard helps developers, businesses, and nonprofits track permits across State agencies. Apply for the 2026 pilot by May 21.