Governor Murphy and Princeton University Announce Plans to Establish Artificial Intelligence Hub
Governor Phil Murphy and Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber announced plans to establish a hub for artificial intelligence (AI) activity in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). Leveraging state funding and private sector partnerships, the initiative will advance New Jersey’s leadership in AI and catalyze innovation in AI technologies, drive job growth and economic development across the region, promote rapid and responsible development of the field, and guide governments and public entities on AI implementation. The establishment of this new initiative underscores the Murphy Administration’s commitment to supporting innovation and the technologies of the future in tandem with New Jersey’s world-renowned higher education institutions.
“Once again, New Jersey is pioneering cutting-edge technologies in lockstep with one of the world’s most prestigious universities,” said Governor Murphy. “Indeed, there’s no better place in the nation to build a nexus for AI development than in the heart of New Jersey at Princeton University, which attracts the companies of the future with its robust innovation ecosystem and unparalleled combination of location and talent. As these industry leaders seek the next big breakthrough in AI technologies from their labs in Central Jersey, they will help generate economic activity and good-paying jobs in communities across our state.”
“Princeton’s strategic framework recognizes the promise and societal implications of artificial intelligence – as well as the University’s ‘unique capacity’ to meet these challenges,” said President Eisgruber. “Working to establish this hub for AI will further our efforts in this important area, while strengthening the regional ecosystem of innovation and advancing Princeton’s teaching and research mission.”
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Murphy Administration Announces Tools to Protect New Jerseyans From Increasing Flood Risks Brought by Climate Change
To address New Jersey’s increasing flood risks under climate change, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, Department of Community Affairs Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez, and Division of Consumer Affairs Acting Director Cari Fais unveiled new and enhanced tools and technologies designed to provide prospective homebuyers and renters with critical information needed to make better informed decision on where they choose to live and how best to protect their property from flood damage.
The measures, which include the publication of new and enhanced property disclosure forms notifying prospective buyers and tenants of a property’s known flood history and potential flood risks, as well as the launch of a user-friendly internet look-up tool searchable by mailing address that identifies properties in flood hazard areas, implement provisions of flood risk disclosure legislation signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in June 2023. Pursuant to the law, sellers and landlords will be required to use the new forms, which are now available on the Division of Consumer Affairs and Department of Community Affairs websites, beginning on March 20, 2024.
This landmark law makes New Jersey one of seven states in the country to receive an “A” grade on the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Flood Risk Disclosure Law Scorecard and was passed in response to the growing flood risks New Jersey is seeing as a result of climate change. The need for flood risk disclosure in New Jersey was expressly stated in the 2020 Climate Change Resilience Strategy (Action 1.3.3).
“As we continue to live with the impacts of climate change in our communities, it’s essential that we inform prospective homebuyers and renters of the risks in areas where they are looking to settle down,” said Governor Murphy. “These new protections will enable prospective home buyers and renters to stay a step ahead when it comes to finding the safest residence possible for themselves and their families.”
“Today we’re moving forward with groundbreaking protections for New Jersey homebuyers and renters,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The flood disclosure requirements we’re implementing under the new law are some of the strongest in the nation and will help New Jerseyans protect themselves, their families, and their property from the consequences of hidden flood risks.”
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New Jersey Department of Health Urges NJ Residents to Discard Recalled Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches, Stay Vigilant for Signs & Symptoms of Lead Exposure Following Consumption
Amid an ongoing national recall of cinnamon applesauce fruit pouches that have been found to contain elevated levels of lead, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) urges residents, especially parents and caregivers, to take necessary precautions to protect against the dangers of lead exposure and poisoning, especially to the health of children.
Individuals, parents, and caregivers are advised to discard recalled pouches immediately and consult a health care provider if they suspect lead exposure or if they or a child are experiencing symptoms of lead toxicity after eating recalled fruit pouches.
“Lead is toxic and can affect people of any age or health status, and it’s especially unsafe for younger children. There is no safe level of lead for children,” said Acting Commissioner of Health Dr. Kaitlan Baston. “Throughout this ongoing national investigation into the source of lead in the recalled products, we urge our residents – and especially parents, guardians, and caregivers – to be extra vigilant to stay safe and keep their children protected from the harmful effects of lead.”
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Murphy Administration Drives Toward Zero Transportation Emissions Future With Nearly $13 Million Investment
Leveraging proceeds from New Jersey’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), Governor Murphy has announced a nearly $13 million investment to further protect residents, the environment and the economy from the worsening impacts of climate change. The latest round of auction proceeds will be used to increase the number of electric trucks and buses that traverse communities overburdened by air pollution, Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette said.
The investment will use RGGI quarterly auction proceeds to fund 45 electric garbage trucks, dump trucks, shuttle buses and charging stations owned by 22 overburdened municipalities throughout the state. Since 2019, New Jersey has awarded over $360 million for a variety of transportation decarbonization projects in overburdened communities, including 458 electric trucks and cargo vans, 201 electric school buses, 242 electric buses and shuttle buses, and 179 electric airport and port vehicles and equipment. RGGI proceeds have also funded nine electric ridesharing projects, which increase clean mobility options for urban residents.
“This funding supports our vehicle electrification and climate mitigation goals and is part of a holistic approach that the Murphy Administration is taking to combat global warming and protect our residents,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “We will continue to look for opportunities to develop and fund these types of projects to ensure that all residents benefit from our electrification investments.”
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NJEDA Awards First Grant Under Innovative New Program to Strengthen Food Security in Newark
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) awarded its first approval under the Food Retail Innovation in Delivery Grant (FRIDG) program which will help expand access to fresh groceries in Newark’s South Ward. The FRIDG Program, which launched earlier this year, allows food retailers to purchase and install temperature-controlled lockers to expand food delivery options for Food Desert Community (FDC) residents.
Brookdale ShopRite Inc, a family-owned business with ShopRite stores in Newark’s Central Ward and in Bloomfield, is the first food retailer to receive a grant under the FRIDG Program. They will use the $250,000 grant to purchase a temperature-controlled locker and install it at the Shani Baraka Women’s Resource Center in the South Ward. The “Newark South” FDC, one of 50 in the state, has a population of nearly 43,000, and is the third most acute food desert in the state.
Once the locker is installed, residents will be able to place online grocery orders from the Brookdale ShopRite, including orders eligible for purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Brookdale ShopRite has also committed to waiving all delivery fees for groceries delivered to the locker.
“The FRIDG Program is another component of Governor Phil Murphy’s mission to support those living in New Jersey’s food desert communities by expanding access to fresh and affordable groceries,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Residents across Newark’s South Ward will now have more options for grocery delivery, reducing structural and logistical barriers that exist for many hardworking families. As we continue to combat food insecurity through creative and innovative initiatives, New Jersey remains a leader in the national fight against hunger.”
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