Gloucester City - New Jersey

Gloucester City's Urban Enterprise Zone

The path to economic success in Gloucester City starts here, with the Gloucester City Urban Enterprise Zone (GCUEZ) program. The UEZ program was developed by the State of New Jersey to help promote redevelopment in its urban centers. The goal of the UEZ is to promote sustainable growth by helping businesses succeed in city neighborhoods. The GCUEZ offers participating businesses an advantage by providing incentives that encourage growth while stimulating the local economy. Build your business with the help of the GCUEZ program:

UEZ Program Benefits

Click Here to see a video about the GCUEZ

The Business must be located with in the Gloucester City UEZ Zone.

Click here to see if your business is within the Gloucester City Urban Enterprise Zone Map

The program is free. All a business needs to do is contact the Gloucester City UEZ office for the forms at 512 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030, or call 856-456-6075 or email uez@cityofgloucester.org. We will get you the forms for enrollment.

Retail businesses that apply can charge 3.5% sales tax.

Retail and service businesses can purchase most office supplies, office furnishings and equipment sales tax exempt.

Any building or renovations to the business are tax exempt.

One-time corporation tax credit of $1,500 for each new, full-time permanent employee who is a resident of Gloucester City and has been unemployed for at least 90 days or dependent upon public assistance.

Click here to find out more about NJ Sales Tax Guide

Click here to find out more about UEZ Tax Questions & Answers

Click here to find out more about Sales Tax Benefits for the GCUEZ

Local City Benefits

Local Economic Development Loan funds at 3.5% for 5 years for real estate acquisitions, building renovations, machinery, and equipment. Click here for a Economic Development Loan

Facade Improvement Loan program where businesses can borrow $5,000 for their facade improvement at a fixed rate of 1% payable over a 60 month/5 year period. Click here for a Facade Improvement Loan Application

Local Program Projects

There are several new projects running this year. For more information and to learn about them please call us at 856-456-6075.

To date the GCUEZ has generated approximately $1.8 million in sales tax revenues with only 60 UEZ certified businesses signed up. Below is a synopsis of your UEZ dollars at work...

Promotions and Advertising Campaign for UEZ businesses - $97,000.00 for marketing, advertisements, billboards of local UEZ businesses and events.

Broadway Streetscape Lighting Project - $350,000 to provided lighting, benches, brick work and trash cans for streetscape enhancement for pedestrian and commercial use. From the NJDOT and GCUEZ.

Design Guidelines - $40,000 – to hire a consultant to create façade, signage, and streetscaping design guidelines to assist with the rehabilitation of the commercial and historic districts. - Completed 2008 - see below to view the document

Matching Façade Grant - $100,000 – a pilot program offering $10,000 in matching façade grants Gloucester City UEZ businesses - on going

Signage Grant - $30,000 – to provide up to $1,000 in sign grants to 30 UEZ businesses for the repair or replacement of their business sign. - on going

Promotions & Advertising Campaign - $54,000 – for advertisements and events to promote Gloucester City as a great place to live, work, and shop. - Completed 2008

Marketing Campaign - $10,000 – to create and distribute promotional mailers (postcards and kits) to prospective business owners and developers - Completed 2007

Community Cleanup Campaign - $2,500 – to hire a consultant on how to enhance Gloucester City’s image - Completed 2007

Entryway Enhancement – $2,345 - to erect a welcoming entryway with signage and landscaping along the Rte. 42 ramp onto Market Street. - Completed 2007

Crime Prevention Patrols - $24,800 – to pay overtime costs to utilize police foot patrols, bicycle patrols, plain clothes officers in unmarked units, and the K-9 unit to patrol and maintain visability in the business districts. - Completed 2007

Design Guidelines for Historic Properties and Properties located within the UEZ Zones

Gloucester City Historic Area Map - Click Here

Historic Properties - section 1 - Click Here
Maintenance - section 2 - Click Here
Roofing - section 3 - Click Here
Exterior Woodwork - section 4 - Click Here
Masonry & Stucco - section 5 - Click Here
Windows & Doors - section 6 - Click Here
Additions New Construction - section 7 - Click Here
Landscape Elements - section 8 - Click Here
Storefronts - section 9 - Click Here
Signs & Awnings - section 10 - Click Here
UEZ Guidelines - section 11 - Click Here