Weiss Tapped to Lead NJ Economic Development Authority

Jennifer Weiss, a longtime board director at the New Jersey Community Capital, has been selected as the new chief executive officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, positioning her at the helm of one of the state’s most influential economic engines.

The appointment comes at a critical time for New Jersey’s economic landscape, as the state continues to navigate post-pandemic recovery while addressing ongoing challenges in housing affordability, business retention, and infrastructure development. The EDA serves as the state’s primary vehicle for economic growth initiatives, managing billions in funding and incentive programs that directly impact communities from the Highlands to Cape May.

Weiss brings extensive experience in community development and financial management to the role. Her tenure at New Jersey Community Capital, a nonprofit community development financial institution, has involved overseeing investments in affordable housing, healthcare facilities, and community development projects throughout the state. The organization has been particularly active in urban areas and underserved communities, often working on projects that complement the EDA’s broader economic development goals.

“Jennifer’s track record in community-focused economic development makes her an ideal choice to lead the EDA during this pivotal period,” a spokesperson for the governor’s office said. “Her understanding of how economic development impacts real communities will be invaluable as we work to create opportunities for all New Jerseyans.”

The EDA has been instrumental in numerous high-profile Real Estate & Development projects across Central Jersey and the Shore region in recent years. From waterfront redevelopment initiatives in cities like Asbury Park and New Brunswick to manufacturing facility expansions in Monmouth and Ocean counties, the authority’s fingerprints can be found on many of the region’s most significant economic development stories.

Weiss’s appointment signals a potential shift toward more community-oriented development strategies. Her background at NJCC has emphasized projects that balance economic growth with community needs, particularly in areas of affordable housing and healthcare access. This approach could influence how the EDA evaluates and structures future incentive packages and development partnerships.

The timing of her appointment coincides with several major development discussions affecting the Jersey Shore and Central Jersey regions. Ongoing debates over offshore wind energy development, coastal resilience projects, and transit-oriented development around NJ Transit stations all fall within the EDA’s purview. Additionally, the authority continues to play a central role in efforts to attract businesses relocating from New York City to New Jersey, a trend that has significantly impacted real estate markets and local economies throughout the region.

During her time at NJCC, Weiss has overseen financing for projects totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. The organization has been particularly active in mixed-use developments that combine affordable housing with commercial spaces, healthcare facilities that serve underinsured populations, and educational facilities in urban areas. This experience could prove valuable as the EDA increasingly focuses on projects that deliver both economic returns and community benefits.

The EDA’s role extends beyond traditional business incentives to include management of the state’s various tax credit programs, brownfield remediation initiatives, and partnerships with local redevelopment authorities. In Monmouth and Ocean counties alone, EDA-supported projects have included everything from biotechnology facilities to tourism infrastructure improvements.

Weiss will inherit an agency that has undergone significant scrutiny and reform in recent years. Previous administrations faced criticism over the transparency and effectiveness of certain incentive programs, leading to enhanced oversight mechanisms and reporting requirements. Her community development background may help rebuild trust in the agency’s mission while maintaining its effectiveness as an economic development tool.

The appointment also comes as New Jersey faces increased competition from neighboring states for business relocations and expansions. Pennsylvania, Delaware, and even more distant states have ramped up their own incentive offerings, making the EDA’s strategic direction increasingly important for maintaining New Jersey’s competitive position.

Local economic development professionals have generally welcomed the appointment. Weiss’s reputation in the community development sector and her understanding of both public and private financing mechanisms are seen as assets in navigating complex development deals that often involve multiple funding sources and stakeholder groups.

Her leadership will be tested immediately by several pressing issues, including the ongoing need for workforce housing near major employment centers, the challenge of redeveloping former industrial sites, and the imperative to create economic opportunities in communities that have been historically underserved by development activity.

The EDA typically works closely with local planning boards, mayors, and county economic development agencies throughout Central Jersey and the Shore. These partnerships have been crucial to the success of larger development initiatives, particularly those requiring coordination across multiple municipalities or involving complex regulatory approvals.

Weiss’s appointment represents continuity in the state’s commitment to economic development while potentially bringing a fresh perspective to how development projects are evaluated and structured. Her emphasis on community impact during her NJCC tenure suggests the EDA may place increased weight on projects that demonstrate clear benefits to local residents and existing businesses.

As she assumes leadership of the EDA, Weiss will oversee an agency that touches virtually every significant economic development initiative in the state, from small-business loan programs to major corporate relocations worth hundreds of millions in investment.