New Jersey Zoning Watch

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“EDA”) have commenced a $250,000 advertising campaign to heighten awareness of the Portsfield Initiative.  The Portsfield Initiative is a partnership between the EDA and Port Authority that aims to create a support network for Port Elizabeth and Port Newark.  The volume of goods handled by the ports is expected to double within 10 years.  In order to handle rising cargo demands, the Portfield Initiative has identified 17 brownfields sites within 25 miles of the ports.  The brownfield sites are located in Hudson, Union, Middlesex and Essex counties and could each occupy approximately 350,000 square feet of warehouse or distribution space. 

The Portsfield Initiative intends to promote brownfield development by providing financial support as well as  administrative assistance with government bureaucracy and environmental regulations.  The campaign is targeting approximately  3,500 businesses that may be interested in developing the sites through a mix of advertisements, direct mail, a video and trade-show appearances.  The advertising campaign is being funded and operated by a public-private partnership that includes EDA, Public Service Electric and Gas Co., six private developers and the New Jersey Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission.