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A 5916

Establishes the "one city act"

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Bores and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes an EDA grant program to reimburse small NJ retail businesses in highway construction zones for increased expenses during the relief period, funded with $1M.

REFERRED TO CITIES
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Bill Summary · A 5916

Summary of Bill A 5916 — "One City Act"

Status: Referred to Cities (Assembly)
Introduced: July 24, 2025
Sponsor: Primary Alex Bores; Co-sponsored by Maritza Davila
Related: Companion S 4673; A 9642 (prior session)

Purpose and intent

A 5916 would require the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to establish and administer a grant program to reimburse retail businesses for increased expenses incurred as a direct result of public highway projects. The goal is to offset revenue losses and higher operating costs suffered by affected small, locally-based retail establishments located within the area where highway construction impedes traffic or access.

Key provisions

  • Grant program and administration

    • The EDA must create and run a grant program to reimburse increased business expenses during a “relief period” for retail businesses in an “impacted construction zone” caused by a public highway project.
    • The program is designed to reimburse increases in business expenses incurred during the relief period, beyond the regular expenses documented prior to the relief period.

  • Definitions (selected)

    • Applicant: a retail business establishment seeking a grant.
    • Authority: New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA).
    • Retail business establishment: a small business with a fixed location offering goods or services.
    • Small business: ≤50 full-time employees, independently owned and operated, NJ-based, not delinquent on state taxes.
    • Public highway project: any State, county, or municipal highway project, including repairs or reconstructions after disaster or external failure.
    • Impacted construction zone: area surrounding the project where traffic flow or business access is impeded.
    • Relief period: from project start to project conclusion.

  • Application requirements

    • Evidence of qualification as a retail establishment.
    • Documentation of regular pre-relief business expenses (for a comparable number of business days before the relief period).
    • Documentation of increased expenses during the relief period attributable to the highway project (including dates and number of business days).

  • Grant calculation and timing

    • Grants are awarded on a rolling basis, subject to available funds.
    • Amount equals the difference between increased expenses during the relief period and pre-relief expenses, calculated on an equal number of business days before and during the relief period.

  • Administrative notices and data sharing

    • The New Jersey Commissioner of Transportation must notify the EDA at project commencement and completion; within 30 days after the bill’s effective date, the Commissioner must report ongoing highway projects to the EDA.

  • Rules and regulations

    • The EDA may adopt emergency regulations immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) for up to 180 days; thereafter, regulations must follow the Administrative Procedure Act.

  • Funding

    • A $1,000,000 General Fund appropriation to the EDA to administer the grant program.

  • Effective date

    • This act would take effect immediately.

Potential impact

  • Who is affected: Small, retail businesses operating within the impacted construction zones of public highway projects in New Jersey; the EDA and the Department of Transportation (DOT) would coordinate administration and project notifications.
  • Financial impact: A one-time $1 million appropriation supports program administration; grants depend on eligible applications and available funds.
  • Operational impact: Businesses would need to document pre-relief expenses and increased expenses during the relief period to receive reimbursements. EDA would process grants on a rolling basis, enabling timely support for affected businesses.
  • Policy alignment: Aims to reduce the adverse economic impact of public infrastructure projects on small retail establishments within construction zones.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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