Newark Urban Enterprise Zone

Program Overview

The Urban Enterprise Zone Program (UEZ) was enacted by the New Jersey State Legislature in 1983 to revitalize the State’s most distressed urban communities through the creation of private sector jobs and public and private investment in targeted areas within these communities.

The Urban Enterprise Zone is an area designated by the State UEZ Authority. The establishment of these zones helps provide incentives for businesses to come to these communities and occupy existing facilities or build new.

Few programs have proven more enduring and successful. Since 1984, it has been a hallmark for urban revitalization and a cornerstone for economic growth and development. Due to its success, the number of Urban Enterprise Zones has expanded from an original 10 in 1984 to the 30 zones in 35 municipalities today. Moreover, the program has helped create 65,070 full-time and 5,000 part-time jobs within the zones. This represents a total private investment estimated at $13.8 billion by these businesses.

The Newark Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) was first designated in 1984. Since then The Newark UEZ has been working to revitalize the city through business retention and expansion programs financed by the New Jersey Zone Assistance Fund. The UEZ program concentrates on creating new full-time jobs, especially for economically disadvantaged citizens who are unemployed, on public assistance or residents of distressed urban cities. UEZ Businesses can receive low interest business loans as well as other state and city tax incentives. Revenue generated from the reduced NJ Sales Tax offered by certified retailers in the UEZ is targeted for economic development projects including infrastructure, public safety, business attraction, expansion or retention.

Our mission of creating jobs, bringing new business prosperity, and raising the quality of life in our community has been quite successful. To date, more than 2000 businesses have been registered in the Urban Enterprise Zone program, creating thousands of jobs, investing billions of dollars in their businesses and taking advantage of UEZ Benefits.

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