Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee Statement to Assembly, No. 5377 (May 5, 2021)

Summary

An Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee statement to Assembly, No. 5377, State of New Jersey, dated May 5, 2021, reporting the bill favorably with committee amendments. The bill would establish the "Food Innovation District Program" in the Division of Marketing and Development in the Department of Agriculture to encourage geographic concentrations of food-oriented businesses, services and community activities. Criteria for designation include access to mass transportation, zoning permitting mixed-use development, and a cluster of interconnected food businesses. Municipalities, alone or jointly, could apply, and the division would approve, conditionally approve or deny a complete application within 60 calendar days.

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ASSEMBLY COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY,
No. 5377

with
committee amendments

STATE
OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 5,
2021

The Assembly Commerce and Economic Development
Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No.
5377.

This
bill, as amended, would establish the “Food Innovation District Program” within
the Division of Marketing and Development in the Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the program is to encourage the development
of food innovation districts within New Jersey. A food innovation district is
a geographic concentration of food-oriented businesses, services, and community
activities that are supported through planning and economic development
initiatives in order to promote a positive business environment, spur regional
food system development, and increase access to local food.

The division, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Workforce
Development, the Department of Community Affairs, and the New Jersey Economic
Development Authority, would identify criteria for the designation of food
innovation districts. The bill specifies the criteria for a food innovation
district designation to include, but not be limited to:

· accessibility
to mass transportation facilities and services;

· zoning
or a redevelopment plan that permits mixed-use development; and

· a
cluster of interconnected food businesses, suppliers, and associated
institutions.

The bill directs the division to establish an application
form and procedure for municipalities to apply for designation of an area as a
food innovation district. The bill would require an application to include,
but would not be limited to:

(1) the boundaries of the proposed food innovation district;

(2) an inventory of existing and proposed food-oriented
businesses; regional food hubs; community kitchens; farmers markets;
warehousing, processing, distribution, and related facilities; and other food
system infrastructure; and

(3) a plan for the development or redevelopment of the proposed
food innovation district.

The
bill directs the division to publicize the Food
Innovation District Program, and provide links to the application form and
procedure on its Internet website.

Under the bill, a municipality may apply to the division for designation of all or part of
the municipality as a food innovation district. Two or more municipalities may
jointly apply for designation of an area as a food innovation district. Within
60 calendar days of its receipt of a complete application for designation of an
area as a food innovation district, the bill directs the division to approve,
conditionally approve, or deny the application.

The
bill directs the division, in consultation with the Department of Community
Affairs and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, to adopt guidance
and standards for municipalities to promote food innovation districts as places
for businesses to locate. A municipality may advertise or otherwise use the
food innovation district designation in accordance with the adopted guidance or
standards.

COMMITTEE
AMENDMENTS:

The
committee amendments would provide for the establishment of the “Food
Innovation District Program” to be within the Division of Marketing and
Development in the Department of Agriculture rather than the Division of Food
and Nutrition.

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