The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) and its publication, New Jersey Business Magazine, have honored 10 development projects with the 2025 New Good Neighbor Awards. The 65th annual awards celebrate projects that have made a significant contribution to New Jersey’s economy and their local communities.
According to NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka, the projects represent a combined $400 million in capital improvements, creating over 1,500 construction jobs and nearly 800 permanent positions.
“These winning projects improve our quality of life, revitalize neighborhoods, provide valuable services and resources and bring communities together,” Siekerka said.
Here is a brief overview of the 10 winning projects:
Commercial & community revitalization
- Phelps Construction Group’s New HQ (Denville): A former eyesore was transformed into a modern, 10,000-square-foot headquarters for Phelps Construction Group. The $3.4 million project created 317 construction jobs and added 28 full-time positions.
- Crow Holdings at Carteret (Carteret): A long-dormant brownfield site was remediated and converted into a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse distribution property. The $300 million project created 500 construction jobs and is expected to provide 350 full-time jobs upon full occupancy.
- The Nell (Dunellen): This $54 million mixed-use redevelopment project revitalized a former industrial site in downtown Dunellen. The project includes a 252-apartment multifamily component and 130 townhouses, creating 250 construction jobs and two dozen permanent positions.
- CenterPoint at Linden (Linden): A struggling former retail site was redeveloped into a 321,765-square-foot industrial facility. The project integrated sustainability features like a future solar array and EV charging infrastructure, pre-leased to CODA Logistics and Distribution, creating 120 construction jobs.
- Bleakley Financial Group (Parsippany): A new 26,000-square-foot U.S. headquarters was developed for the financial planning firm. The $1.8 million project created a modern office space that fosters collaboration and innovation while also adding 165 permanent jobs.
Public & nonprofit ppgrades
- NJ Hall of Fame Entertainment & Learning Center (East Rutherford): Located at American Dream, this 10,000-square-foot center features state-of-the-art exhibits celebrating New Jersey’s legends. The $20 million project created 23 construction jobs and 25 full-time positions.
- Veterans Park (Monroe Township): This project involved a $1 million upgrade to Veterans Park, adding a new restroom and storage facility. The enhancements, funded in part by a grant from Middlesex County, created 25 construction jobs and three permanent positions.
- The Stable at Lord Stirling Park (Somerset County): An outdated dairy barn was replaced with a new $2.5 million, 6,300-square-foot stable that now hosts equine services and horse boarding, creating 30 construction jobs and relocating six full-time stable workers.
- Saint Peter’s Family Health Center (New Brunswick): A $12 million upgrade doubled the number of clinical exam rooms at the health center and added a new on-site laboratory. The project created 91 construction jobs and 118 full-time positions, and it includes a new marketplace providing free food and goods to patients.
- Black Swallowtail Studios (Eatontown): This media production facility invested $150,000 to add a second state-of-the-art control room, doubling its operational capacity. The project, which was self-designed and financed, created eight construction jobs and two full-time positions.
