FAQ

Greater Trenton facilitates the development and revitalization of downtown Trenton by serving as an expert resource to businesses, developers, and community partners. This mission encompasses a wide range of objectives aimed at stimulating economic development within downtown Trenton. These include coordinating development projects, offering comprehensive support to developers and investors, engaging with potential stakeholders for residential, commercial, and retail development, and promoting existing initiatives to foster a strategic economic growth plan. Importantly, our funding is entirely private, with no governmental financial support involved.

Greater Trenton’s strategic goals include facilitating the development and revitalization of downtown Trenton by 1) catalyzing key projects and initiatives, 2) Championing Trenton’s economic development narrative, 3) Cultivating strategic partnerships and community engagement, and 4) Building on Greater Trenton’s strengths to attract investment and development.

Greater Trenton is a dedicated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in the fall of 2015 and launched in July of 2016, focusing on the economic revitalization of Trenton, New Jersey, through private funding and collaborative partnerships.

Greater Trenton is a privately-funded 501(c)3 charitable non-profit that relies on contributions and collaborative efforts to drive economic revitalization in New Jersey’s capital. The vast majority of our recurring, annual operating support is funded by our Board of Directors supplemented by the proceeds of our annual Caren Franzini Capital City Award Celebration event held in December of each year.

The Caren Franzini Capital City Award Celebration is our annual event held in December of each year which pays tribute to the legacy of Caren Franzini, former CEO and co-founder of Greater Trenton.  Each year, the event presents the Capital City Award to an individual(s) or organization that has had a sustained and positive impact on Trenton, its residents and/or our organization. A list of past honorees is found here https://www.greatertrenton.org/past-caren-franzini-capital-city-award-honorees. The celebration also honors an individual or business with the Greater Trenton Business Impact Award to a worthy Trenton-based organization.

While Greater Trenton is not structured to offer direct financial incentives to businesses, the organization partners with various organizations to benefit the business community and to incentivize investors and developers interested in coming to the city. For example, Greater Trenton played a significant role in advocating for enhancements to New Jersey’s Economic Recovery Act, aiming to make Trenton a more attractive destination for development and investment. Also, our prior Businesses Helping Businesses (BHB) initiative, designed to support the economic vitality of Trenton by providing financial assistance to local businesses in response to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, supplemented the City of Trenton’s existing Emergency Small Business Loan program to maintain jobs, businesses, and the overall vibrancy of the city. This public-private partnership pooled private funds from businesses across the region to help minimize community stress, reduce social inequity, preserve businesses and jobs, and create economic vibrancy.

Greater Trenton is committed to creating equitable opportunities in Trenton by facilitating job pathways, affordable housing, and job creation. Our key initiatives include partnerships to advance career opportunities, TrentonDaily online publication to advance Trenton’s positive narrative, advocacy for enhanced economic recovery measures, partnering to create opportunities for small businesses, and efforts to increase affordable housing. These initiatives are designed to bring investment to Trenton, thereby creating jobs and improving the city’s economic landscape.

Greater Trenton has played a pivotal role in enhancing Trenton’s economic landscape through various initiatives. These include advocating for state funding for urban renovation projects, assisting in the relocation of businesses to Trenton, and influencing significant revisions to the Economic Recovery Act to favor Trenton’s development. Our efforts are aimed at making Trenton a more attractive place for investment, thereby fostering job creation and economic growth.

The NRRP program is an $11.5M forgivable loan program that was conceived to address the significant number of vacant, dilapidated and abandoned residential structures that have caused blight and severely impact the quality of life in neighborhoods throughout the city.  As the sole housing sponsor approved by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (“HMFA”) to be the conduit for the monies to be distributed to the City, Greater Trenton receives no fees or any portions of the money whatsoever, but acts only as a passthrough agency once funds are received from NJHMFA The Statute for HMFA does not allow funds to be given directly to a municipality. Therefore, the City of Trenton cannot borrow the Revitalization Funds from or facilitate the process directly with HMFA. As a result, the City was required to designate a Housing Sponsor within the meaning of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency Law of 1983, as amended, N.J.S.A. 55:14K-1, et seq. to act as the City’s agent for the NRRP program. Greater Trenton was selected and approved by both the City and HMFA to serve in this capacity.

No, Greater Trenton has not received any financial compensation, interest, or reimbursement from the State, County, or City for its efforts. . In fact, the organization has absorbed significant costs to support the NRRP and other various efforts emphasizing its commitment to Trenton’s revitalization without direct financial benefit.

Throughout the year, Greater Trenton has actively participated in various initiatives to foster growth and development within the city. The following summary, though not all-inclusive, highlights the range of activities undertaken:

In partnership with Princeton University and local educational organizations, launched a STEM Career Pathways initiative for Trenton’s youth, offering high school students exposure to careers in architecture, drone technology, and other high-demand technical fields.

Provided funding for training for Trenton Central High School students to earn a Black Seal Steam Boiler Operator’s license and a valued trade upon graduation from high school.

Authored an innovative proposal for Amazon’s HQ2, advocating for its location in Trenton and representing the interests of the City of Trenton, Mercer County and the State of New Jersey.

Established TrentonDaily, a platform committed to broadcasting the positive aspects of Trenton, including its people, architecture, initiatives, historical milestones, and events.

Initiated the Businesses Helping Businesses (BHB) program in response to the economic challenges posed by COVID-19, providing essential financial aid to maintain Trenton businesses and preserve jobs through grants and zero/low-interest rate loans.

Created a Summer Internship & Scholarship Program under TrentonDaily, offering paid internships to Trenton high school students for writing uplifting city stories, coupled with scholarships to ease their college transition.

Conducted comprehensive studies on Trenton’s residential market to advocate for affordable and market-rate housing and proposed incentives to encourage state employees to live downtown.

Cemented a critical partnership with the City, County, and five leading educational institutions, securing a $100,000 NJEDA planning grant with the goal of establishing an innovation center in Trenton.

Carried out the 2018 Residential Market Study to understand the dynamics of downtown Trenton’s housing market.

Launched the Annual Caren Franzini Capital City Award Celebration and the Capital City Economic Outlook event to promote community engagement and collaboration.

Led over 150 Economic Development Tours to attract new businesses and investments to Trenton.

Expanded Trenton’s Opportunity Zones to include areas near the mass transit center, aiming to enhance the city’s appeal for development.

Procured and renovated 124 West State Street, establishing it as Greater Trenton’s headquarters and symbolizing a strong commitment to the city’s revitalization.

Facilitated the relocation of Princeton Hydro and Taft Communications to Roebling Block III, and supported Kean University’s Center for Urban Policy Research at 10 West Lafayette Street, collectively bringing jobs and educational resources to Trenton.

Successfully advocated for a $1.5 million state allocation for the demolition of the Front Street Garage and a $5 million state fund for the renovation of the Taxation Building, furthering the city’s redevelopment efforts.

Commissioned a 2023 Residential Study, identifying a demand for up to 1,270 new residential units in downtown Trenton over five years.

Conceived the Trenton Restore Loan to Own Program to address Trenton’s chronically low rate of homeownership throughout the city.  

Launched the Minority Small Business Initiative with the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (“AACCNJ”) to enhance the economic success of minority-owned businesses in the region.

Expanded the Greater Trenton Paid Summer Internship and Scholarship Program, leveraging TrentonDaily’s success.

Acted as a key consultant for a private firm considering relocating its headquarters to downtown Trenton, a move that promised up to 500 new jobs for the city.

Played a significant role in advocating for enhancements to New Jersey’s Economic Recovery Act, aiming to make Trenton a more attractive destination for development and investment.

Partnered with the City/County/State to host multiple events and information sessions to address topics of interest including Urban Enterprise Zones; Economic Recovery Act; and Developer Days.