Bill to Establish Loan Program for NJ Wineries Signed by Governor

TRENTON – Legislation aiming to help New Jersey’s winery industry create jobs and economic development received final legislative approval was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy Feb. 7.  
According to a release, the law (A-1046) – sponsored by Assembly Democrats, Eric Houghtaling, Vince Mazzeo, and Adam Taliaferro – directs the Economic Development Authority (EDA), in consultation with Department of Agriculture, to establish a loan program for certain vineyard and winery capital expenses.
“New Jersey boasts many wonderful wineries that contribute to the economy, and help promote the state’s agricultural industry,” stated Houghtaling (D-Monmouth). “Ensuring their success benefits the state and our agricultural communities.”
The law directs the EDA to establish, in consultation with the state Department of Agriculture (NJDA), a loan program and application process for the purpose of providing loans to eligible vineyards or wineries to pay for qualified capital expenses.
The term “qualified capital expenses” is defined in the law to mean expenditures made by an eligible vineyard or winery to improve or purchase land, and to acquire or modernize infrastructure, machinery, and equipment.
“I am proud to be a sponsor of this measure, which I think will be tremendous for our state’s economy,” stated Mazzeo (D-Atlantic). “There is so much potential for New Jersey to become the premier winemaking state in the country, and this law will help us accomplish this goal.”
“This commons sense measure is about wineries and vineyards and helping them stay competitive in a tough industry, but they’re about more than just those benefits,” stated Taliaferro (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “This is also about creating jobs and economic development in the agricultural industry and all the businesses that rely on agriculture for success.”
The law also requires the loans provided under this program are to:
* Be no less than $10,000 and no greater than $100,000, for each eligible vineyard or winery.
* Bear an interest rate between 3 and 5 percent.
* Be repayable over a term of up to 10 years, as determined by the EDA and NJDA.
However, a vineyard or winery that plans to use funds from the loan to acquire more real property in order to expand its business is eligible for higher loan amounts with lower interest rates, as determined by the EDA and NJDA.
The law was approved 75-2-0 by the Assembly Jan. 31 and 40-0 by the Senate on Oct. 29.