By Choose New Jersey
Whether it’s hosting the world’s most-watched sporting event, filming the world’s most popular films and television shows, or developing lifesaving medicines for some of the most-deadly diseases, strategic decision-makers know that New Jersey offers the ideal combination of assets to help their enterprises succeed.
When FIFA was deciding where to host the 2026 World Cup Final, they found that New Jersey’s prime location and transportation infrastructure were essential for the largest sporting event in the world. When Netflix was searching for a location to build one of the largest fully integrated production facilities in the world, they discovered New Jersey is home to top-notch crews and talent, with proximity to major metropolitan areas as well as beaches, farmland, and scenic backdrops. And when Gilead Sciences sought a space to facilitate its mission to produce transformative medicines while prioritizing a responsible growth agenda, they chose New Jersey, where policies support sustainability and diversity, and the biopharma ecosystem offers access to a highly educated talent pool.
New Jersey’s investments in key industries continue to attract businesses that prioritize the critical components of expansion: skilled workforce, access to consumers, and effective State support and incentives. From the world’s largest companies to family-owned shops across hundreds of Main Streets, businesses are invited to tap into the wealth of resources that make New Jersey the best place to live, work, and play.
Highly Trained & Ready to Work
Home to one of the most highly skilled and educated workforces in the United States, New Jersey has a robust pipeline of talent. The #2 ranked public school system in the nation prepares the next generation for success at world-class in-state universities and colleges, including the country’s #1 university, Princeton University, and the #2 public university, New Jersey Institute of Technology. Our talent pipeline is also strengthened by our world-class community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. Many of New Jersey’s higher education institutions focus on strengthening connections to middle-skilled opportunities. Through its Workforce Development Institute, Rowan College at Burlington County works with leading employers to help fill the demand for skilled workers who completed industry-based training in fields such as advanced manufacturing, transportation, logistics and distribution, and healthcare. New Jersey also boasts the #1 concentration of scientists and engineers per square mile in the United States. From life sciences and technology to clean energy and film, major companies benefit from our world-class talent.
Infrastructure & Connectivity
An epicenter of global connectivity, New Jersey is situated in the heart of the Northeast Corridor. Newark and New York airports make up the #1 busiest airport system in the United States, and with Philadelphia International Airport nearby, there are hundreds of daily nonstop international and domestic flights. Add in a robust public transit network — including NJ Transit, PATH, and Amtrak — a dense network of highways and railways, and the busiest port on the East Coast, the Port of New York and New Jersey, people and products can move quickly and easily. Our State’s advanced transportation network ensures goods are delivered quickly and efficiently across the region and beyond, often providing same-day delivery. We also have unmatched access to one of the most affluent and densely populated areas in the country.
New Jersey is committed to continuously improving and strengthening its infrastructure to support economic growth and increase community connectivity. Enhancing New Jersey’s infrastructure in the historic Gateway Program will create an unprecedented pathway of connectivity by creating two new tunnels under the Hudson River to New York City. The $16 billion project, the largest infrastructure project in U.S. history, will open opportunities to reach millions of consumers and move people and products faster and more frequently than ever before.
Industry Strengths & Support
Economic investment extends to New Jersey’s key industries. New Jersey has historically had world-renowned innovation ecosystems for life sciences, technology, and clean energy, and those strengths continue today. The State is also establishing itself as an East Coast leader in artificial intelligence. New Jersey is creating innovation hubs that bring together industry and universities. Choose New Jersey’s recently established New Jersey West Coast Center in the San Francisco Bay area taps into this emerging technology’s full potential and helps AI and tech companies expand and establish themselves in New Jersey.
To support growth in key industries, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) offers dozens of financing and incentive programs. In an effort to bolster New Jersey’s film industry, NJEDA offers some of the best incentives in the country for film, TV, and digital media companies and production studios. NJEDA recently approved a potential $400 million tax credit for 1888 Studios in Bayonne, a 55-acre studio complex with on-site production services, set to open in 2026.
New Jersey is also a national leader in clean energy, with ambitious goals for a greener future. NJEDA green infrastructure tax credits include substantial incentives for capital investment in offshore wind and energy-efficient facilities. Qualified businesses can receive up to 100% in tax credits on qualified projects in return for helping New Jersey meet its goal to be powered by 100% clean energy by 2035. The State is also home to the New Jersey Wind Port, the nation’s first purpose-built offshore wind port that provides a location for essential staging, assembly, and manufacturing activities related to offshore wind projects on the East Coast.
Love Where You Live & Work
When businesses move to New Jersey, they are looking for safe, vibrant communities for their employees to call home. Ranked the #1 state to raise a child and a top state to live in, New Jersey is the perfect place for families. Our geographic diversity means settling down in a dream home is possible at the beach or up in the mountains; out on a farm or in the heart of a city. Wherever home is, a new and exciting adventure is a short ride away, with so much to do and see.
There is no shortage of entertainment in New Jersey with world-class venues like the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark or Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. The State’s sports stadiums are home to five major league sports teams — the New Jersey Devils; New York Giants and New York Jets; and the New York Red Bulls and NJ/NY Gotham FC. FIFA also chose MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford to host the 2026 FIFA World CupTM finals and seven other games.
Values & Diversity
More than anything, New Jersey takes pride in its people. The fourth most diverse state with the second largest population of foreign-born U.S. residents, New Jersey is a melting pot of cultures from every corner of the world. In fact, one-third of all New Jersey business owners are foreign-born. The State celebrates neighborhoods like Little India in Edison and Palisades Park, which has the highest density of Korean-Americans of any municipality in the United States. And, with a history of upholding fundamental values like women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and paid family leave, New Jersey ensures everyone feels safe and at home.
The future is bright in New Jersey! There is no better time to join your industry-leading peers by capitalizing on all New Jersey has to offer businesses and families.
About Choose New Jersey
Choose New Jersey is the State’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization. We harness the collective power of New Jersey’s business, government, labor, and academic sectors to expand New Jersey’s economy. We work globally, using our marketing expertise, concierge business development services, deep knowledge of the State, and convening power, in collaboration with State government, to empower businesses, entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators to make New Jersey their home.
Need labor data or information on State incentives? Want to collaborate with higher education institutions or connect with service providers? Looking for a property that meets your requirements? We can assist with it all. Visit choosenj.com to learn more.
