Invest in our Neighborhoods

The Norwescap 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 North-West New Jersey, focusing on 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 to enhance quality of live in the Phillipsburg community. We are now expanding our work to include Sussex Borough as well.

The Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program (NRTC), through New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, is now open for investment! This state program offers a powerful opportunity for businesses to reduce NJ tax liabilities on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while investing in projects that enrich and enhance our local communities. Any business with $25,000 or more in state tax liabilities can participate! Norwescap has NRTC projects for investment in Phillipsburg and in Sussex Borough – click the thumbnails below to learn more, and visit DCA’s NRTC website to fill out the application today! Contact our CEO Mark Valli at vallim@norwescap.org or (908) 454-7000 x1111 with any questions.

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. In 2023, we expanded our work to Sussex Borough, supporting community and local business improvements, affordable housing, and programs at Norwescap’s Sussex Borough Community & Cultural Center.

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.

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

Norwescap has been serving the Phillipsburg community since 1965, investing millions of dollars in community and economic development projects.

Property Restoration

Norwescap invests in properties throughout Phillipsburg to help those in need in our community, including: 

• 566 South Main Street – Norwescap purchased and renovated a building that was vacant for over 10 years and sold it below market value to a qualifying low-income single mother of four. 
• 770 South Main Street – Norwescap partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Warren County to build a single-family home for a family on the Habitat waiting list. 
• 371 South Main Street – Norwescap has purchased this landmark building with plans to renovate it and host a hybrid restaurant and food incubator model as well as provide small business support, financial empowerment, and community development programming. 

Community Events

Norwescap invests in a variety of community activities and events aimed at building strong community engagement and helping to support local businesses. This includes the unique “Pork Roll Palooza,” bringing over 5,000 people to Phillipsburg’s South Main Street annually. 

Small Business Grants 

Norwescap provides small business grants to help improve storefronts and other aspects of local business operations. In recent years, we have provided over $500,000 in direct grants to local businesses negatively impacted by the COVID pandemic.  

Downpayment Assistance

To help drive homeownership for low- to moderate-income families, Norwescap provides downpayment assistance to qualifying applicants. 

Planning for the Future

Norwescap has applied for over $900,000 in NRTC program funds from investors in Phillipsburg. This funding will help us achieve several goals, including: 

• Create a Food Business Incubator – Norwescap will begin renovations of 371 South Main Street to serve as the home of a restaurant and food business incubator, as well as host financial empowerment programming, small business support, and our community development team.
• Build New Soccer and Ball Fields – Norwescap is partnering with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, McWane Ductile, the Town of Phillipsburg, and several other local businesses and donors to install state-of-the-art multi-use fields at Walters Park in the heart of Phillipsburg. 
• Develop 140 Sitgreaves Street – Norwescap will build an owner-occupied two-family home on a vacant parcel.   
• Promote Community Investments – Norwescap will continue its investments in small business improvement grants and downpayment assistance, as well as local community events like “Pork Roll Palooza.” 

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. 

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.

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 Community and Cultural 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. See the full list of resources available at the SBCCC.

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 Centerfor 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.