Invest in our Neighborhoods

Invest in our Neighborhoods

Norwescap’s Community Development team works to build vibrant communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Based on the Community Development Corporation (CDC) model, we focus on revitalizing neighborhoods in Norwescap’s service area with an emphasis on low-income, underserved neighborhoods that have experienced significant disinvestment. 

Through initiatives including the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program (NRTC) and the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP), Norwescap has leveraged over $2 million to date in funding in the Phillipsburg community. We are now expanding our work to include Sussex Borough as well.

To learn more about Norwescap’s Community Development work, contact:

Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) Program

The Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program (NRTC), through New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, provides businesses an opportunity to direct their state tax dollars to projects that enrich and enhance our local communities. Since 2009, Norwescap has leveraged NRTC funding directed by our corporate partners to rehabilitate and repair neighborhood homes; promote homeownership; grow local businesses; and make quality-of-life improvements in downtown Phillipsburg; our work will expand to Sussex Borough in 2023. 

Does your business pay taxes in New Jersey? This program provides a terrific opportunity for corporations and businesses to support projects that enrich and enhance our local communities AND offset their state tax liabilities through the purchase of tax credits. Through the NRTC program, companies (including LLC’s, S-Corps, and Partnerships) that have a tax liability in New Jersey of $25,000 or more can purchase dollar-for-dollar tax credits up to $1,000,000, and direct those credits to invest in State-approved community development projects led by Norwescap and other NJ nonprofits.

The investment cycle generally takes place in mid- to late November. Visit the NJ DCA’s website, or contact our CEO Mark Valli at vallim@norwescap.org or (908) 454-7000 x1111 to learn more!

Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP)

In December 2019, Norwescap entered into a Shared Services Agreement with the Town of Phillipsburg to administer the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) funded through New Jersey Department of Community Affairs NJ DCA Neighborhood Preservation Program. Phillipsburg is the acting fiscal agent and final decision maker of the NPP plan while Norwescap provides the services to implement the NPP strategic plan. 

The NPP directly serves neighborhoods that are beginning to decline but can be rehabilitated and restored by cultivating existing social, economic, financial, and technical resources toward the development and implementation of planned activities that sustain neighborhood vitality.  An NPP plan was developed using an overall comprehensive cooperative approach that includes all sectors of the community to encourage and promote the social and economic strengthening and development of neighborhoods. This is achieved through the cooperative, concentrated efforts of residents, local lending institutions, businesses, municipal governments and the State of New Jersey. The NPP takes a comprehensive approach to neighborhood development, which affords municipalities flexible and creative options.  The South Main St. Phillipsburg NPP plan written for Phillipsburg has been recognized by the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) as the model NPP plan to be used as a best practice for other municipalities. Strategies focus on leveraging and developing assets to drive activity, improving the look, feel and function of public spaces and to foster a vibrant business district.  Four teams, Business Development, Promotions, Design and Event Support implement the NPP Plan.

For more information on the NPP Plan: NJ’s Neighborhood Preservation Program website

Other Programs that can provide assistance