Sussex Borough

Norwescap has been serving communities and transforming lives in Sussex County since 1965, fostering safe, healthy, prosperous neighborhoods – places where people can not only succeed, but also give back by advocating, volunteering, and leading within their community. 

Our Community Development Efforts 

Sussex Seniors 

Our Sussex Seniors program offers 11 units of affordable housing for seniors 62 and older. This program came to be in the early 1990s after purchasing a vacant property on the town’s Main Street, with the help of funding through the NJ DCA, to provide needed affordable housing for local seniors. Learn more about Sussex Seniors.  

Sussex Dialogues  

In 2021, Norwescap approached town officials to discuss the potential usage of commercial space at the Sussex Seniors building. Rather than simply finding a renter, Norwescap began engaging the community in conversation about what was needed within the town. Norwescap hosted this series of community conversations to empower marginalized and low-income people to help find solutions to community challenges that have contributed to the socioeconomic decline of their community. 

Sussex Borough Cultural and Community Center (SBCCC) 

As a result of the Sussex Dialogues, Norwescap launched the SBCCC in the spring of 2022 to improve the community and build more opportunities for its members. 

Programs and Services – The SBCCC offers a wide array of programming and services, including: 

• A computer lab  
• A flexible space for community events and celebrations 
• Bi-weekly “One Norwescap” days where community members can meet with Norwescap representatives to apply for or learn about: 
  • Childcare 
  • Employment coaching 
  • Starting a home daycare 
  • WIC (The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) 
  • Heating & electrical assistance 
  • Senior programming 
  • Financial programs 
  • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps  
  • Workshops on topics such as “Finding Your Source of Happiness” and “Basics of a Savings & Spending Plan” 
  • And much more 

Food and Health – The SBCCC hosts regularly scheduled pop-up markets offering fresh food and produce at no cost for all who come, supported through Local Share, Sparta Community Food Pantry, and The Sussex County Hunger Coalition. Harvest House, a local food pantry and soup kitchen is in the bottom floor of the SBCCC, providing fresh meals and free groceries to neighbors suffering from food insecurity. Norwescap also partners with Zufall Center to provide health services, vaccine access, and nutrition and healthy cooking classes to our community.   

Small Business Support – The SBCCC also supports local businesses to help revitalize the local economy. Through collaboration with Sussex Borough leadership and members of the community, we host exhibits of local artists and other cultural events, town forums, activities that engage youth and seniors together, and showcases for local entrepreneurs. 

Planning for the Future 

Norwescap has applied for over $500,000 in NRTC program funds from investors in Sussex Borough. This funding will help us achieve several goals, including:  

• Create a Center for Entrepreneurship – Utilizing a currently vacant space at the SBCCC, our Center for Entrepreneurship will provide work and meeting space for small businesses and local entrepreneurs, including a commercial kitchen, 3D printer, smart board, and free access to licensed software products. 
• Develop a Small Business Institute – With partners such as Lakeland Bank, UCEDC, the Small Business Association, the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, volunteer attorneys, and local small business leaders, we will help to ensure that local businesses have the training and technical assistance they need to be successful through offerings such as: 
  • Workshops 
  • Banking services 
  • Entrepreneurial training 
  • Funding pathways 
  • Mentoring 
  • Technical support 
  • Development support 
  • Marketing assistance 

• Improve Solar Power Use & Handicap Access – Norwescap will invest in the SBCCC to generate solar power, LED lighting, and other energy-efficient system improvements as well as increase handicap accessibility to services at SBCCC. 
• Provide Small Business Grants – Norwescap will continue to support local businesses with grants to neighborhood storefronts. 
• Create Affordable Housing – Norwescap will invest in the development of 2 affordable housing units to provide much-needed shelter and stability for low-income individuals and families. 
• Support Community Events – Norwescap will provide support for events and projects that foster community participation and enhance the overall quality of life in Sussex. 

As we continue our NRTC-supported work over the next 10 years and beyond, we will be able to facilitate additional financial investments that support housing, economic growth, and community engagement, turning around decades of neglect and disinvestment. 

Support Your Community

Norwescap relies heavily on support from the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program (NRTC), through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJ DCA) to do its critical work. This program provides businesses an opportunity to direct their state tax dollars to projects that enrich and enhance our local communities. 

Corporations that purchase tax credits can reduce their state corporate tax liability by a dollar for every dollar they spend on NRTC tax credits. The corporation can then choose which of the State-approved projects to invest their tax credits in. The process is simple:  

1. Select an investment amount between $25,000 to $1,000,000. 

2. Fill out a simple two-page application. 

3. Select the project/s that the company wishes to invest in. 

Would you like to know how your business can help Norwescap empower individuals and families to move away from the crisis of poverty, and towards a future where they can thrive? Click here to learn more about the NRTC and access the application.