Is New Jersey a Good Place to Do Business?

With New Jersey’s impressive economy—boasting the eighth largest in the nation with a whopping $671.4 billion GDP—you’re poised to take advantage of a state that’s pulsing with potential for doing business. Rich with opportunities to acquire successful existing businesses, the state’s flourishing professional and financial services sectors highlight it as a premier hub for new ventures.

Understanding the business law in New Jersey is integral as you explore the possibilities of doing business in NJ, with personalized support available through agencies like Choose New Jersey. Setting your sights here means accessing a wealth of resources and economic incentives, ensuring a pro-business climate that could be the turning point for your professional aspirations.

Pro-Business Climate and Resources

When considering doing business in New Jersey, you’ll find a supportive pro-business climate bolstered by a suite of resources tailored to foster growth and success. The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) stands out with its comprehensive benefits package, designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses:

• Health Solutions and HR Support: Tailored programs to maintain a healthy workforce and navigate human resources challenges.
• Financial Services: From payroll savings to retirement plans, ensuring your financial operations are streamlined and cost-effective.
• Member Discounts and Business Referral Programs: Opportunities to reduce costs and connect with a network of professionals.

The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) provides a wide array of services, including:

1.   Business Support: Customized assistance for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large corporations.

2.   Export Assistance: Guidance and resources for businesses looking to expand their reach internationally.

3.   Cannabis Training Academy: A specialized program offering resources and support for businesses in the emerging cannabis industry.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) plays a pivotal role in economic expansion, offering:

• Business Development and Workforce Development: Initiatives to cultivate a skilled workforce and promote business growth.
• Certifications: Including Small Business Enterprise and Minority-Owned Enterprise, to support diversity and inclusivity in the business community.

Under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has seen remarkable economic strides, with a focus on nurturing new industries like adult-use cannabis and offshore wind production. This progress is evident in the significant contributions of the film industry, which has injected over $650 million into the state’s economy and created approximately 8,500 jobs. The strategic location and skilled workforce of New Jersey present invaluable assets to any business, making it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and established businesses alike, especially those considering acquiring successful existing businesses.

Key Advantages of Doing Business in New Jersey

When you’re considering doing business in New Jersey, you’re looking at a state ripe with advantages that cater to a diverse array of industries. Here are some of the key benefits that make doing business in NJ particularly appealing:

• Strategic Location: Nestled in the heart of the Northeast corridor, New Jersey offers unparalleled access to some of the largest markets in the United States, including New York City and Philadelphia. This strategic position is ideal for businesses that require quick and efficient distribution channels.
• Urban Enterprise Zone Program: For businesses situated in designated Urban Enterprise Zones, New Jersey provides enticing financial benefits such as reduced sales tax rates and the ability to make tax-free purchases on capital equipment, facility expansions, and upgrades, fostering an environment conducive to growth and expansion.
• Economic Incentives and Financing: New Jersey’s business incentives are robust, featuring programs like the Premier Lender Program which offers low-cost financing to startups, and the GSGZ BLI that supports businesses in specific growth zones with lease payment reimbursements.
• Educated Workforce: The state’s proximity to prestigious universities and colleges translates into a highly educated workforce, providing your business with a pool of skilled employees.
• Diverse Economy: With a thriving economy led by sectors such as manufacturing, distribution, and a dominant service sector, New Jersey is also the leading chemical-producing state, boasting over 15,000 factories. The state’s larger space, better transportation, and competitive tax rates have been successful in attracting a wide range of industries.
• Support Services: Organizations like Choose New Jersey are dedicated to assisting businesses with relocation, expansion, and making the right economic development connections.
• Agriculture: Despite being densely populated, farming remains a vital part of the state’s economy. With farmland covering about a sixth of New Jersey’s land area, the state enjoys some of the highest farm income per acre in the nation.

Furthermore, New Jersey presents numerous opportunities for acquiring existing successful businesses, allowing new owners to hit the ground running with established operations and customer bases. The state’s climate, characterized by seasonally well-distributed precipitation, supports a variety of business operations year-round. With these advantages, it’s clear that doing business in New Jersey offers a fertile ground for entrepreneurs and established enterprises to thrive.

Success Stories: Thriving Businesses in New Jersey

New Jersey’s landscape of successful businesses is a testament to its fertile environment for growth and innovation. If you’re considering doing business in NJ, you’ll be joining a prestigious list of companies that have flourished in this state:

1.   Securitas USA: As a global leader in security services, Securitas USA’s significant presence in New Jersey contributes to the state’s reputation as a secure and stable business environment. With a workforce of over 355,000 people, the company exemplifies the scale of opportunity available here.

2.   Cognizant: Headquartered in Teaneck, Cognizant’s growth mirrors New Jersey’s strength in the IT sector. This powerhouse employs over 296,500 individuals, illustrating the state’s capacity to support large-scale business operations.

3.   Panasonic Corporation of North America: Calling Newark its home, Panasonic showcases New Jersey’s appeal to tech giants and contributes to the state’s innovative landscape with its workforce of over 244,000 employees.

4.   Wipro USA: With its headquarters in East Brunswick, Wipro USA’s presence underscores the state’s global connectivity and its ability to accommodate major players in the information technology industry, employing over 220,000 people.

5.   Unilever: From Englewood Cliffs, Unilever directs a vast array of consumer goods across the globe, with a workforce of over 149,000, reinforcing New Jersey’s status as a hub for multinational corporations.

6.   Johnson and Johnson: This New Brunswick-based global healthcare leader, with over 130,000 employees, reflects the state’s strong life sciences sector.

7.   Novartis US: With its headquarters in East Hanover, Novartis US adds to the pharmaceutical prowess of New Jersey, employing over 125,000 people.

8.   BMW US: The automotive giant’s subsidiary in Woodcliff Lake, with over 120,726 employees, drives home New Jersey’s appeal to international businesses.

9.   Hoffmann-La Roche: The healthcare company’s substantial base in Nutley, with a workforce of over 101,500, signifies the state’s support for the healthcare industry.

10.  Conduent: This Florham Park-headquartered business process services company, with over 63,000 employees, showcases the state’s capacity for supporting service-oriented enterprises.

In addition to these giants, New Jersey is home to other notable companies like Johnson & Johnson, Prudential Financial, Bed Bath & Beyond, PSEG, and Quest Diagnostics, further demonstrating the state’s diverse economic landscape.

The success of these companies, alongside the myriad of opportunities to purchase existing successful businesses, positions New Jersey as a prime location for your business ambitions. Whether you’re starting fresh or seeking to acquire and grow an established entity, the business law in New Jersey and the support services available make it a compelling choice for entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners alike.

Business Climate and Economic Incentives

When you’re doing business in New Jersey, you’re tapping into a state that’s rich with economic incentives designed to stimulate growth and innovation. Here’s how the Garden State supports your business endeavors:

• Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) Program Benefits:
  • Benefit from a reduced sales tax rate, currently at 3.3125%, on certain purchases, which can significantly lower your operating costs.
  • Enjoy tax exemptions on purchases related to capital equipment or investments in facility expansions and upgrades, enabling you to reinvest savings back into your business.
• Incentives for Employee Reassignment:
  • Assembly Bill 4694 introduces a tax credit of $2,000 for resident individuals permanently reassigned to a New Jersey location, making it more advantageous for companies to establish their workforce within the state.
  • A pilot program offering grants to businesses that relocate New Jersey resident employees from out-of-state workplaces, with a fund of $35 million per year, highlights the state’s commitment to bolstering local employment.
• NJEDA’s Economic Development Tools:
  • The NJEDA provides a comprehensive array of support, from tax credits and real estate development incentives to community development programs and low-interest business financing, all aimed at fostering a vibrant business ecosystem.
• New Jersey Economic Recovery Act (ERA):
  • This act offers an array of programs including tax credits to incentivize job creation, capital investment, and tools to support New Jersey’s innovation economy, demonstrating the state’s proactive approach to building a resilient and inclusive economic future.

In addition to these incentives, New Jersey presents ample opportunities to purchase existing successful businesses, allowing you to leverage established operations and customer bases for immediate impact. With these advantages, doing business in NJ positions you for success in a state committed to economic progress.

Throughout this article, we have examined the abundant advantages and supportive business environment that New Jersey offers. With its strategic location, diverse economy, and a wealth of resources aimed at nurturing growth, the state stands as an ideal place for both budding entrepreneurs and established enterprises. The successes of major companies and the continuous pro-business initiatives under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership further affirm New Jersey’s position as a fertile ground for commercial endeavors.

Moreover, the state not only excels in providing a conducive atmosphere for starting new ventures but also offers numerous opportunities to purchase existing, successful businesses. This unique aspect of New Jersey’s business landscape presents a valuable path for those looking to invest in tried-and-true operations with established customer bases. For those looking to make their mark or expand their footprint in the business world, New Jersey’s doors are open wide, inviting a future of innovation, growth, and prosperity.

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