HELIX in New Brunswick approved as first project to be built under new tax incentive program

On Thursday, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) recognized New Brunswick's upcoming New Jersey Health + Life Sciences Exchange (HELIX) as the first project to be built under the new Aspire tax credit program for commercial, residential and mixed-use properties, according to a press release.

The HELIX will be a 12-story building in downtown New Brunswick and will serve as a hub for the city connecting the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS), Hackensack Meridian Health and various health centers across Middlesex County.

This project, formed under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020, is designed to help disadvantaged communities and create subsidies for companies within the hub.

The building will also have public space joining the Rutgers campus with the train station, the Government and Arts District and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital District, according to the release.

Tim Sullivan, the NJEDA's Chief Executive Officer, said the HELIX is a significant part of Gov. Phil Murphy’s (D-N.J.) economic strategy for transforming the state’s revitalization.

"The Aspire Program was specifically created to support projects that revitalize our downtowns into premier destinations, enabling communities to better serve residents and help attract successful companies and top-notch talent," Sullivan said in the release.