Kearny Point, the $1 billion redevelopment of the former WWI and WWII ship-making facilities in Hudson County, announced a partnership with Northeast Clean Energy Council’s Cleantech Open Northeast to provide six cleantech startups with free office space at its state-of-the-art campus.
The partnership with the world’s oldest and largest cleantech accelerator represents an expansion of Kearny Point’s efforts to support cleantech and environmental innovation in the state.
Since the launch of the redevelopment efforts at the site, Kearny Point has distinguished itself as a hub for innovative small businesses, including those that are working to solve some of the most pressing environmental challenges.
“By building alliances with those committed to investing in a better, more equitable and sustainable world for future generations, this partnership with NECEC and Cleantech Open brings us a significant step closer to realizing our ultimate goal of addressing the myriad challenges facing our planet,” said Hugo Neu CEO Wendy Neu.
“NECEC, Cleantech Open and Kearny Point all see eye-to-eye on the importance of identifying and supporting the crucial efforts of these emerging companies here in New Jersey — and Kearny Point is the perfect place to make it happen.”
Kearny Point will provide four months of shared office space and access to business development programs, along with high-speed internet access, free parking, concierge service and use of other on-site amenities.
Startups may also be eligible for additional support through the NJ Ignite program administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).
By supporting environmental innovation through investments in startup success and infrastructure, Kearny Point is in sync with significant changes underway at the state level—affirming that old models of economic development, by themselves, are no longer sufficient to bolster growth throughout New Jersey.
As detailed in Governor Phil Murphy’s Energy Master Plan, the state’s future as a cleantech leader will create thousands of jobs in the state’s energy, building and transportation sectors, ultimately positioning New Jersey in the vanguard of America’s green economy.
“New Jersey has long been home to some of the most impactful innovations that fuel our world today,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan.
“Innovation addresses complex challenges and drives sustainable economic growth. We believe that participants in this program will go on to achieve great things with the support they receive from our state, Cleantech Open Northeast and Kearny Point.”
Kearny Point is anchored by Building 78, a 160,000 s/f adaptive reuse of a four-story warehouse building. The building, which features loft-style “flex” office spaces, co-working and makerspace, is nearly fully leased to more than 200 businesses.
In the coming months, Kearny Point will introduce the Building 78 Annex, which will add an additional 90,000 square feet of space for creative office users.
In total, Kearny Point will reactivate approximately four million square feet of flex office and industrial space, making it one of the largest and most economically significant redevelopments in the region.
Among the many conscious companies currently housed at Kearny Point are Bowery Farming, a seed-to-store local farmer that uses zero pesticides and 95 percent less water than conventional farms; Ciel Power, the 2019 National Home Performance Energy Star Contractor of the Year; Oishii Farms, an indoor vertical farming tech company and; Babo International Trade, a distributor of sustainable, bamboo consumer paper products from China.
