SENATE ECONOMIC GROWTH, AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1771

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 23, 1997

      The Senate Economic Growth, Agriculture and Tourism Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1771.

      This bill appropriates $15,000,000 from the $20,000,000 allocation of bonds authorized for the "1996 Economic Development Site Fund" under the "Port of New Jersey Revitalization, Dredging, Environmental Cleanup, Lake Restoration, and Delaware Bay Area Economic Development Bond Act of 1996," (P.L.1996, c.70). This sum would be provided to the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders, or any other governmental entity designated by that body, to acquire up to 660 acres of real property or interests therein upon which the proposed New Jersey Food Distribution Center would be built. The proposed site for this facility is located in Florence and Burlington townships, Burlington County, between the line formed by the Delaware River on the west, the New Jersey Turnpike on the north, U.S. Highway Route 130 on the east and southeast, and Dulty's Lane on the south.

            To be eligible to receive monies from the "1996 Economic Development Site Fund," established pursuant to section 20 of P.L.1996, c.70, an economic development site project must meet at least two of the following criteria:

      (1) The project will support or enhance the existing economic base of the region in which it is located, which may include, but need not be limited to, the agricultural, tourism and commercial sectors, or improvements to the region's infrastructure;

      (2) The project will result in the rehabilitation or expansion of existing facilities in the region in which it is located;

      (3) The project will result in the creation or retention of jobs in the region in which it is located; and

      (4) The project will foster the development of business or commercial ventures which will promote long-term economic growth in the region in which it is located.