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♪ >> THIS IS NJ BUSINESS BEAT WITH RAVEN SANTANA.

>> I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

THANKS FOR JOINING ME ON NJ BUSINESS BEAT.

NEW JERSEY HAS WORKED TO IMPROVE ITS REPUTATION AS A FILM READY STATE.

AND THE MOMENTUM IS NOT STOPPING IN 2024.

JUST THIS WEEK, THE NJ DEA APPROVED $10 MILLION TO SUPPORT STUDIO DEVELOPMENT IN FIVE COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING A 280,000 SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY IN JERSEY CITY.

LAST YEAR, NEW JERSEY SAW $700 MILLION IN MOVIE AND TV PRODUCTION SPENDING.

THAT IS UP FROM $67 MILLION IN 2018.

THE MONEY CAME FROM MORE THAN 50 FILM PROJECTS AND MORE THAN 60 TV SERIES PRODUCTIONS.

THE FILM INDUSTRY SUPPORTS 8500 JOBS.

MORE JOBS AND REVENUE ARE ON THE WAY AS NETFLIX AND LIONS GATE OPEN AND EXPAND THEIR STUDIO SPACE IN NEW JERSEY.

THE NETFLIX STUDIO ALONE WILL SUPPORT 3500 CONSTRUCTION JOBS.

ONCE IT IS OPEN, IT WILL CREATE 1500 PERMANENT JOBS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.

AS NEW JERSEY TAKES CENTER STAGE, MANY COMMUNITIES ARE MAKING THEMSELVES FILM READY.

KNOWING THROUGH A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND MARKETING PROGRAM TO APPEAL TO MAJOR STUDIOS.

WITH BERGEN COUNTY EXECUTIVE, JIM TO DISCO, WHOSE COUNTY JUST BECAME FILM READY WITHIN THE LAST MONTH.

BERGEN COUNTY IS CERTIFIED FILM READY BY THE STATE'S MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION COMMISSION.

EXPLAIN WHAT THAT MEANS AND WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTY TO BECOME FILM READY CERTIFIED.

>> WE ACTUALLY HAD AN OFFICE OF FILM AND TELEVISION ESTABLISHED IN 2019.

WE ARE AHEAD OF THE CURVE.

WHAT WE WANTED TO DO IS GIVE THE MUNICIPALITIES AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.

SO WE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE CERTIFIED AND WE COULD HELP THE MUNICIPALITY.

SO WE BECAME CERTIFIED IN A NUMBER OF OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.

WE HAD A LONG HISTORY WITH THE ORIGIN OF FILM IN BERGEN COUNTY.

IT IS JUST LOGICAL FOR US TO CONTINUE THAT WHERE BEING THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY IN BERGEN COUNTY, A LOT OF THE FILMS THAT WERE FILMED YEARS AGO ENDED WITH PEOPLE HANGING FROM THE CLIFFS.

THAT IS WHY YOU HEARD THE WORD CLIFFHANGER.

QUITE LITERALLY BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE HANGING OFF OF CLIFFS.

IN THE SILENT PICTURE AGE AND RINGS LIKE THAT, THAT IS HOW PEOPLE ENDED THEIR MOVIES.

WE FELT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO LEAD THE WAY, AND WE ARE REALLY PROUD WE GOT THE CERTIFICATION, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE NEW JERSEY FILM AND TELEVISION COMMISSION IN ORDER TO EXPAND IT AND HELP THE PEOPLE IN BERGEN COUNTY BECOME PART OF THE FILM PRODUCTION INDUSTRY.

>> I REALLY APPRECIATED THAT HISTORY LESSON ABOUT BERGEN COUNTY.

DOES EACH COUNTY HAVE TO UNDERGO ITS OWN CERTIFICATION PROCESS, OR DOES THE CERTIFICATION COVER THE ENTIRE COUNTY?

>> EACH COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO GET CERTIFIED ALONG WITH THE MUNICIPALITY.

THE FILMING HAPPENS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OR THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE OUR COURT PLANNED, AND OUR COURTHOUSE.

THERE HAS BEEN A NUMBER OF FILMING'S IN THOSE PLACES.

IN THE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, THEY HAVE THEIR OWN ORDINANCES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN HELP THEM.

WE HAVE A DATABASE WE CAN HELP THEM WITH.

WE KNOW THE LOCATIONS.

WE KNOW WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.

WE CAN HELP THE MUNICIPALITIES WITH GETTING ALL OF THAT INFORMATION AND WORKING WITH A FILM PRODUCTION CREWS ON WHAT TOWNS HAVE WHAT OPPORTUNITIES.

THEY MAY CALL US AND SAY WE ARE LOOKING FOR THIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF BUILDING, OR WE WANT THIS TYPE OF LAND.

AND WE CAN HELP THEM WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOLKS AND FILM AND TELEVISION FOLKS TO POINT THEM TO THE RIGHT MUNICIPALITIES.

SO THE MUNICIPALITY, IF THEY ARE CERTIFIED, THEY WOULD HAVE ALL OF THE NECESSARY PERMITS.

THEY WOULD HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE THE PRODUCTION COMPANY TO COME INTO THEIR COMMUNITY.

ALONG WITH THAT COME THE BENEFITS.

THEY WILL USE THE LOCAL DELICATESSEN.

THE DRY CLEANERS.

THEY WILL LOOK AT NEEDING TRANSPORTATION.

AND MANY OTHER AMENITIES THAT GO ALONG WITH THE PRODUCTION TAKING PLACE IN THAT LOCAL COMMUNITY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ALL BENEFIT.

IF THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS, THE COUNTY BENEFITS.

AND THEN THE STATE BENEFITS.

THAT IS WHY IT IS ALL A BIG PARTNERSHIP.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FILM CERTIFICATION WILL MEAN FOR THE COUNTY ECONOMY?

YOU TOUCHED ON IT, BUT DO PEOPLE REALIZE HOW BIG THIS IS?

>> IN NEW JERSEY, IT WAS JUST OVER $650 MILLION IN SPENDING IN 2022.

WE SEE THAT CONTINUING TO GROW.

WHEN THE PRODUCTION COMPANY COMES INTO THE COMMUNITY, IT SPENDS DOLLARS IN THAT COMMUNITY.

WHICH THAT COMMUNITY WOULD NEVER HAVE SEEN THEM BEFORE.

SO THERE IS AN INHERENT BENEFIT TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY, AN INHERENT BENEFIT TO NEW JERSEY BECAUSE NOW WE ARE GETTING REVENUE FROM THE PERMITS AND TAX DOLLARS.

AND THE ECONOMY ITSELF IS GROWING.

SO THERE IS A POSITIVE FOR ALL OF THE ASPECTS OF THIS FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY UP TO THE STATE LEVEL.

AND NOT TO MENTION THE STAR ATTRACTION POWER FROM THE ACTUAL ACTORS AND ACTRESSES HERE.

>> WHAT MAKES BERGEN COUNTY TOWNS A PERFECT SETTING FOR MOVIE AND TELEVISION PROJECTS?

YOU ALLUDED TO IT WITH THE CLIFFHANGER COMMENT.

BUT WHAT MAKES IT SO IDEAL?

>> BESIDES BEING THE BEST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY -- WE OFFER A LOT.

WE ARE THE MOST POPULOUS COUNTY IN THE STATE.

AND WE HAVE A LOT OF DIVERSITY THROUGHOUT -- NOT ONLY TO MAKE UP OUR ETHNICITY, BUT OUR BUILDINGS, WE HAVE A LOT OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS THAT GO BACK TO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, WE HAVE THE 1800 BUILDINGS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF HOUSING THAT HAVE PORCHES, WE HAVE A LOT OF OPEN SPACE WHERE THEY CAN FILM IN OPEN SPACE.

WE HAVE EQUESTRIAN CENTERS.

THERE IS A MYRIAD OF OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN BERGEN COUNTY THAT YOU CAN FIND IN OTHER COUNTIES, BUT YOU CANNOT FIND AT ALL, THAT IS WHAT MAKES BERGEN COUNTY SO UNIQUE AND ATTRACTIVE TO FILMMAKERS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR TO FIND OTHER PARTS OF THE PRODUCTION YOU WANT TO FIND HERE THAT YOU CAN FIND IN BERGEN COUNTY THAT YOU CANNOT FIND IN OTHER PLACES THAT YOU HAVE TO PACK UP AND COST A LOT OF MONEY TO MOVE ALL OF THIS.

>> ARE THERE ANY PROJECTS YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT I CAN TELL YOU THE ONES WE HAVE.

BUT SOME OF THE ONES WE HAVE OUR DEVILS ADVOCATE, THE SOPRANOS, WU TANG, THE WALKING DEAD, JOHN WICK, MEAN GIRLS, IN PRACTICAL JOKERS, THE EQUALIZER.

SOME MARTIN SCORSESE COMMERCIALS , THE MANNING BROTHERS.

WE'VE HAD MUSIC, HIP HOP -- A LARGE VARIETY OF ENTERTAINMENT AND PRODUCTION HAPPENING IN BERGEN COUNTY.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THAT.

>> BERGEN COUNTY IS GIVING L.A. A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY?

>> WE ARE, WE ARE THE EAST COAST FILM INDUSTRY.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I LOOK FORWARD TO A PRODUCTION BOOM HERE.

>> AND IF YOU NEEDED ANY EVIDENCE THAT NEW JERSEY CAN SUPPORT BOX OFFICE HITS AND AWARD-WINNING ENTERTAINMENT, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THIS YEAR'S OSCARS.

OPPENHEIMER, A CHRISTOPHER NOLAN WILL BE PARTIALLY FILMED IN NEW JERSEY WAS NOMINATED FOR 13 AWARDS AND TOOK HOME SEVEN, INCLUDING BEST PICTURE.

OPPENHEIMER FILMED AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY AND THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY WHICH IS ALSO IN PRINCETON.

IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF NEW JERSEY'S RESURGENCE IN THE FILM AND TV INDUSTRY, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE.

DUNE STAR IS CELEBRATING IN NEW JERSEY.

AND LOOKING TO CAST NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS.

THE MOVIE IS CALLED A COMPLETE UNKNOWN AND STARS HIM AS BOB DYLAN ON THE 1965 PERFORMANCE AT THE NEW YORK FESTIVAL.

IF YOU WANT TO BE CAST IN THE FILM, YOU MUST BE 18 OR OLDER AND BE AVAILABLE MAY 12 THROUGH THE 16TH.

IF INTERESTED, EMAILED ADDRESS AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.

ONE OF THE FIRST COMMUNITIES TO BECOME FILM READY IN NEW JERSEY WAS FAIR LAWN.

THE CITY ALREADY HAD EXPERIENCE HOSTING HOLLYWOOD FOR DECADES THROUGH FILMS LIKE RANSOM AND TV SHOWS LIKE THE SOPRANOS.

BUT NOW THE MAIN GROUP HAS WORKED WITH THE STATE TO BECOME CERTIFIED.

AND IT IS LOOKING TO BUILD ON PAST EXPERIENCE AND BECOME A PREMIER LOCATION FOR FILMING.

I SAT DOWN WITH WINE GRASS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FAIR LAWN MAINSTREET TO DISCUSS WHAT SETS IT APART FROM OTHER FILMING SITES IN OUR STATE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.

FAIR LAWN IS NOW A FILM READY COMMUNITY.

TELL US WHY YOU DECIDED TO CERTIFY?

>> SURE.

IT IS HOME TO ABOUT 3500 RESIDENTS.

WITH THAT COMES A WIDE RANGE OF AMENITIES.

ONE OF THE FIRST PLANNED COMMUNITIES HERE AT FAIR LAWN, MULTIPLE DIVERSE BUSINESS DISTRICTS.

WE HAVE PARKS, MEMORIAL POOL.

WE REALLY HAVE EVERYTHING A FILM PRODUCTION STUDIO NEEDS TO SHOOT A GREAT FILM HERE.

>> NOW THAT YOU ARE FILM READY AND YOUR COMMUNITY IS READY, HOW DOES THIS ALL WORK?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING?

>> THE TELEVISION COMMISSION ANNOUNCED THE CREATION OF THIS NEW PROGRAM FOR UNITS OR POLITIES TO BECOME A FILM READY COMMUNITY.

FIRST WE HAD TO ATTEND A WORKSHOP, WE HAD TO DESIGNATE A FILM LIAISON, OUR MANAGER'S OFFICE, WE HAD TO ADOPT A FILM ORDINANCE AND FILMING PROCESS IN TOWN.

WE HAD ONE IN FAIR LAWN WORKING WITH THE COMMISSION.

WE MADE AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE.

WE LOWERED ANY FEES ASSOCIATED WITH FILMING IN TOWN.

WE ALSO HAD ACCESS TO A NEW SOFTWARE CALLED REAL SCOUT.

WE ARE NOW ABLE TO UPLOAD IMAGES OF OUR MUNICIPALITY FROM BUSINESSES TO OUR PARKS INTO THIS SCOUTING SOFTWARE OPEN TO VARIOUS DIFFERENT PRODUCTION COMPANIES.

IN OUR TOWN, WE'VE GOT HUNDREDS OF PHOTOS AND UPLOADED THEM OF ALL DIFFERENT LOCATIONS RANGING FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES TO DIFFERENT HOTSPOTS IN TOWN.

THAT WAY INSTEAD OF COMING AT SCOUTING FAIR LAWN, THEY CAN GO STRAIGHT ONTO THE WEBSITE AND SEE THE HUNDREDS OF PHOTOS THAT EXIST AND THEY CAN DECIDE.

THAT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT SHOT TO DO A SCENE.

>> THAT IS REALLY INCREDIBLE.

IS IT COSTING A PRETTY PENNY?

IS THERE A COST ATTACHED TO IT AT ALL?

>> THE ORDINANCE ALLOWS FOR FILMING IN TOWN.

AND IT IS VERY COMMON FOR A LOT OF MUNICIPALITIES.

THERE IS A SMALL FEE ASSOCIATED.

WE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWERED THE FILMING FEE AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE COMMISSION.

IT WENT FROM $500 TO $100 FOR A FILM PERMIT.

IF YOU FILM ON PUBLIC LAND, THAT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE COSTLY.

IF YOU DO IT ON A PRIVATE BUSINESS, WHICH IS WHAT WE HAVE SEEN FOR THE MOST PART, THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL FEE ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

>> YOU KIND OF TOUCHED ON IT A LITTLE BIT, BUT WHY IS FAIR LAWN A PERFECT FILMING LOCATION?

X BECAUSE YOU CAN DO EVERYTHING IN TOWN.

THE COMMUNITY WHICH IS A BIG STAPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY, ONE OF THE FIRST PLANNED COMMUNITIES THAT WAS BEING DEVELOPED, WHICH WAS REMINISCENT OF OLD ENGLAND.

IT WAS GOING TO BE LARGER AND BIGGER, THEN THE GREAT DEPRESSION HAPPENED.

WHAT YOU HAVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MODERN TOWNIES THIS ANTIQUATED ENGLISH STYLE LOOKING VILLAGE.

BUT IF YOU GO TWO MILES THE OTHER DIRECTION, WE HAVE AN URBAN DISTRICT THAT WE CALL BROADWAY.

AND IF YOU GO A DIFFERENT AREA, WE HAVE THE RIVER ROAD DISTRICT, THE MAIN STREET USA KIND OF FEEL.

WE HAVE MEMORIAL POOL WITH PLAYGROUNDS AND EVERYTHING WHICH WOULD BE GREAT FOR A FAMILY-STYLE MOVIE.

WE HAVE SCHOOLS, DIFFERENT BUSINESSES FROM COFFEE SHOPS TO HOTELS.

ONE OTHER THING WE DID DO IN THE SOFTWARE IS UPLOAD DIFFERENT BUSINESSES WE THINK COULD BE OF ASSET TO PRODUCTION COMPANIES.

SO WE CAN UPLOAD LIKE GET YOUR GAS HERE, GET YOUR FOOD HERE, YOU CAN LODGE YOUR PEOPLE HERE.

ALSO IN FAIR LAWN, VERY UNIQUE.

WE HAVE A DIGITAL MARKETPLACE THAT CONTAINS EVERY BUSINESS IN TOWN.

NOT JUST RETAIL BUSINESSES, BUT HOME-BASED ONES, AS WELL.

SHOULD A PRODUCTION COMPANY OR MOVIE STUDIO WISH TO ENGAGE WITH THOSE BUSINESSES, NOW WE HAVE AN ENTIRE INVENTORY OF THEM FOR YOU.

>> VERY SMART.

FAIR LAWN IS NO STRANGER TO MOVIES AND TV PRODUCTIONS.

TELL US ABOUT SOME PAST PROJECTS.

>> VERY RECENTLY, IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, 2023, WE HAVE THREE SEPARATE SHOOTINGS FOR THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY IN FAIR LAWN, WHICH HAS BEEN VERY EXCITING.

WE HAVE TWO OF THEM AT SOME OF OUR HIGHER END RESTAURANTS, THE CRAFTSMAN AND OCEANA'S, AND ANOTHER ONE AT THE BROTHERS ON RIVER ROAD, FERLAND AVENUE SECTION.

WHICH IS VERY EXCITING.

IT SHOWCASES THAT YOU KEEP COMING TO FAIR LAWN.

A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO THAT, WE HAVE -- FILM HERE IN FAIR LAWN, WHICH IS A BET PLUS MURDER MYSTERY.

WE CAN GO FROM MURDER MYSTERY ONE MONTH, REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY.

>> AND I WOULD WATCH BOTH.

VERY DIVERSE.

I LOVE THAT.

YOU'RE ALSO A MAINSTREET AMERICA TOWN.

EXPLAIN TO OUR VIEWERS WHAT THIS MEANS AND HOW THIS HELPS WHEN IT COMES TO FILMING TV AND MOVIE PROJECTS LIKE YOU SPOKE ABOUT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

UNDER THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR PRESERVATION WAS THE MAINSTREET AMERICA PROGRAM.

THE IDEA IS YOU CAN ENHANCE ECONOMIC VITALITY WHILE ALSO PRESERVING THE HISTORIC FEEL OF YOUR DOWNTOWNS.

THROUGHOUT THE STATES, DIFFERENT STATE ENTITIES, CERTIFIED ORGANIZATIONS AS MAINSTREET TOWNS.

IN NEW JERSEY, IT IS THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS YOU CAN BECOME A MAINSTREET TOWN.

LARGELY BY NOW OUR MAYOR AND THEN EDC PRESIDENT, CHAIR OF FAIR LAWN MAINSTREET INC., WE APPLIED AND RECEIVED OUR DESIGNATION TO BECOME A MAINSTREET NEW JERSEY TOWN.

IT ALLOWS US TO HAVE ACCESS TO VARIOUS DIFFERENT STATE AND FEDERAL RESOURCES.

FEDERAL GRANTS, DIFFERENT STRATEGIES TO REVITALIZE OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT FEEDS INTO THIS NARRATIVE.

AS FAIR LAWN BECOMES MORE OF A BUSTLING TOWN, WE CAN MAINTAIN BEING A GREAT DESTINATION TO DO FILMING.

>> FAIR LAWN IS DEFINITELY LEADING THE WAY WHEN WE THINK ABOUT FILM AND MOVIES.

I DO LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING FUTURE MOVIES WHERE I CAN SEE A FAMILIAR SHOT OF FAIR LAWN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> HERE'S A LOOK AT THE TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES OF THE WEEK.

WE BEGIN WITH A FOLLOW-UP TO LAST WEEK'S SHOW ON FINANCIAL LITERACY.

THIS WEEK, NEWARK'S FIRST LADY LAUNCHED NEWARK WOMEN MOVING FORWARD.

A MAJOR PROGRAM FOCUSING ON FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR WOMEN IN THE CITY.

I SAT DOWN WITH THE FIRST LADY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE PROGRAM WILL HELP THE WOMEN FIND FINANCIAL SUCCESS.

>> GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE.

I LOVE YOUR LOOK.

WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT IS THIS PARTNERSHIP.

I WANT YOU TO TALK ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE.

YOU ARE HELPING AND EMPOWERING WOMEN WHO WANT TO TACKLE DEBT, WHO WANT TO LEARN HOW TO INVEST, WHO WANT TO LEARN HOW TO SAVE.

TALK ABOUT IT.

>> DEFINITELY, NEWARK MOVING FORWARD, WE AIM TO EMPOWER 1000 WOMEN WITH THE PROGRAM.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

BECAUSE IT EMPOWERS WOMEN, HELPS THEM GET THEIR FINANCES IN ORDER.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

>> TELL ME ABOUT THE 12 WEEK COURSE.

HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE, WHO IS GOOD FOR THIS COURSE?

>> IT IS FOR EVERYONE.

WOMEN 18 AND OLDER, 12 WEEKS IS A LOT, BUT IT IS ONLY 80 ONE HOUR WEEK.

YOU CAN DO IT FROM YOUR OWN HOME VIRTUALLY OR COME INTO ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY LOCATIONS AND DO IT IN PERSON WITH FACILITATORS.

IT IS ONE HOUR A WEEK.

>> I LOVE IT, WE TALKED ABOUT HAVING SMALL CHILDREN.

THERE IS FLEXIBILITY.

BUT LAST TIME WE SPOKE, YOU REALLY STRESSED THIS IS NOT JUST FOR SOMEONE WHO IS STRAPPED FOR CASH OR IN DEBT, IT IS FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF WOMEN IN DIFFERENT FINANCIAL SITUATIONS.

>> IT IS NOT JUST FOR WOMEN IN DEBT, IT IS FOR ANY PART OF THE SPECTRUM.

YOU CAN BE AT THE END OF THE ROAD AND RETIREMENT OR JUST GETTING STARTED LIKE A COLLEGE STUDENT.

WE WANT YOU TO LOOK AT YOUR FINANCES TO HELP YOU BETTER YOUR FUTURE.

>> WHAT DO YOU FIND IN SPEAKING TO WOMEN, BEING FROM THE WORK, REALLY UNDERSTANDING THE REACTION TO THIS PROGRAM, WHAT ARE YOU FINDING ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCES?

>> I THINK PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

FINANCIAL EXPERTS, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, PEOPLE SAY I WISH I WOULD HAVE LEARNED THAT IN SCHOOL.

WE ARE OLDER, YOU DON'T JUST HAVE TO LEARN IT IN SCHOOL.

YOU CAN BE AN 18-YEAR-OLD IN COLLEGE, OR YOU CAN BE A 40-YEAR-OLD GETTING READY TO MOVE ONTO THE NEXT PART OF YOUR CAREER, OR A RETIREE.

IT IS FOR EVERYONE TO GET YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER AND LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL EDUCATION.

BUT WE ARE PARTNERING YOU WITH FINANCIAL EXPERTS WHO WILL COME IN AT A CERTAIN POINT, INDUSTRIAL BANKER WILL BRING RESOURCES.

SO I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ONCE THEY TAKE THE 12 WEEK COURSE, WHAT HAPPENS?

WHAT IS THE GOAL, HOW DO WOMEN MOVE FORWARD?

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO SEE?

>> THE GOAL IS TO GET A HOLD OF YOUR FINANCES.

A LOT OF TIMES WE KNOW WE OWE MONEY HERE, WE HAVE TO PAY DOWN THIS, WE ARE NOT GOING TO ANSWER THE PHONE SOMETIMES BECAUSE WE ARE SCARED OF COLLECTORS.

WITH THE PROGRAM AIMS FOR YOU TO DO IS TO LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU, PUT YOUR FINANCES IN FRONT OF YOU INDIVIDUALLY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL THE FACILITATOR HOW MUCH MONEY YOU OWE OR WHAT YOUR GOALS ARE.

THAT IS YOU PERSONALLY.

TO BECOME FINANCIALLY EMPOWERED FOR YOURSELF AS AN INDIVIDUAL.

>> HE ALSO SPOKE ABOUT DIFFERENT FINANCIAL SITUATIONS.

WE ARE IN A TOUGH ECONOMY.

WE LIVE IN NEW JERSEY.

AND THERE ARE PEOPLE SINCE IT IS GEARED TOWARD NEWARK, WHO WANT TO GET THEIR FINANCES TOGETHER.

NOT JUST FOR THEMSELVES, BUT GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

TALK TO THAT.

YOU SPOKE ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

>> IT REALLY STARTS WITH THE INDIVIDUAL.

LOOKING AT WHAT YOU HAVE, PUTTING IT IN FRONT OF YOU.

GETTING THE ASSESSMENT OF WHAT YOU HAVE AND WHAT YOU WANT TO LEAD.

THAT IS WHAT THE PROGRAM DOES A GOOD JOB OF.

YOU GET AFRAID.

IF YOU ARE IN DEBT, YOU ARE AFRAID TO ANSWER THE PHONE OR OPEN MAIL.

OR IF YOU ARE GETTING READY ON THE RETIREMENT SPECTRUM, WHAT ARE YOU LEAVING BEHIND FOR THOSE AFTER YOU?

IT GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER.

>> AND THERE IS SOME EMBARRASSMENT OR SHAME AS WELL?

>> I THINK FOR THE PROGRAM, BECAUSE IT IS INDIVIDUAL.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT IT.

IT IS NOT LIKE YOU HAVE TO TELL THE FINANCE FACILITATOR THAT I/O $100,000 IN DEBT, OR I DID NOT START MY RETIREMENT PLAN EARLY.

WRITE IT DOWN ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND LOOK AT IT ON YOUR OWN.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME, DON'T TELL ANYBODY.

BUT TELL YOURSELF, WHICH IS MOST IMPORTANT.

>> WHAT I LOVE MOST, THIS IS OFFERED IN DIFFERENT LINKAGES.

>> NEWARK IS A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I LOVE THAT IT IS A REFLECTION OF WHO WE ARE.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE IT IN ENGLISH, IT WILL BE OFFERED IN SPANISH.

CREOLE IS ONE OF THE LANGUAGE WE HAVE DECIDED TO DO.

THERE WILL BE OTHER LANGUAGES THAT COME ON BOARD.

>> I THINK WHAT IS CRITICAL ABOUT THIS IS HOW YOU ARE GETTING THE WORD OUT.

I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE ALSO GOING TO -- SOME AREAS ARE UNCONVENTIONAL.

YOU TALKED ABOUT CHURCHES, WOMEN GROUPS.

TELL ME HOW YOU ARE GETTING THIS WORD OUT.

>> IT IS A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT.

WE LOVE SOCIAL MEDIA AND BEING HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

BUT WHAT WILL BE IMPACTFUL IS COMING INTO OUR COMMUNITIES TO MEET THE WOMEN WHERE THEY ARE.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, DIFFERENT WOMEN'S GROUPS TO COME OUT AND FIND PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

>> THE GOAL IS -- >> 1000 WOMEN.

>> ARE YOU HOPING TO EXPAND THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WITH HELP FROM COMMUNITY SPONSORS.

I THINK WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING MORE EXPANSIVE IN THE FUTURE.

>> FIRST LADY, 1000 WOMEN.

I'M CONFIDENT YOU WILL NOT ONLY REACH THAT GOAL, YOU WILL EXCEED THAT GOAL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.

MORE NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE PLUGGING IN INSTEAD OF FILLING UP.

ACCORDING TO NEW DATA FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

REGISTRATIONS FOR PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES SURGED TO MORE THAN 154,000, A 60 6% INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR WERE ABOUT 91,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES WERE REGISTERED.

THE NONPROFIT GROUP SAID IT SETS A NEW RECORD FOR THE GARDEN STATE AND PUTS NEW JERSEY WITHIN REACH OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION'S GOAL TO HAVE 330,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE ROAD BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

BUT THE GROUP ALSO ARGUES REACHING THE TARGET WILL TAKE -- THEY CALLED OUT GOVERNOR MURPHY FOR PUTTING REGISTRATION FOR ELECTRIC FEES STARTING THIS JULY.

DOUG O'MALLEY AS PRESIDENT OF CHARGEVC IN NEW JERSEY AND SAID IT IS UP TO LAWMAKERS TO HELP THE STATE REACH ITS ENERGY GOALS.

>> WE CAN'T HIT THIS GOAL IF WE CONTINUE WITH POLICIES THAT GOT US HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WE HAVE SEEN EXPANSIVE GROWTH BECAUSE NEW JERSEY HAS SOME OF THE STRONGEST INCENTIVES IN THE NATION FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAS BEEN A STEP BACKWARDS.

>> STARTING THIS SUMMER, IT WILL COST MORE TO GET AROUND ON NJ TRANSIT.

THE TRANSIT BOARD GAVE UNANIMOUS FINAL APPROVAL TO A 15% HIKE IN JULY AS WELL AS 3% HIKES IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS.

DURING A HEARING, BOARD MEMBER'S TOLD THE PUBLIC THERE WAS NO OTHER VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO CLOSE NJ TRANSIT'S BUDGET GAP.

THE CEO SAID WITHOUT FAIR HIKES, THE AGENCY WOULD BE FORCED TO CUT SERVICES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY RECENTLY PROPOSED A CORPORATE TRANSIT FEE TO TAX NEW JERSEY'S BIGGEST BUSINESS AND RAISE MORE THAN $800 MILLION FOR NJ TRANSIT.

THAT ALONE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH TO CLOSE THE BUDGET GAP.

SPEAKING OF TRANSPORTATION IN NEW JERSEY, NEXT WEEK, WE WILL DIG INTO NEW JERSEY'S TRANSPORTATION FUTURE FOCUSING ON ADVANCEMENTS FOR NJ TRANSIT AND MORE ON THE ADOPTION OF ELECTRIC CARS AND BUSES.

THAT DOES IT FOR US.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO GET ALERTED WHEN WE POST NEW EPISODE AND CLIPS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEKEND.

>> FUNDING FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT WITH RAVEN SANTANA PROVIDED BY NJMEP, A PARTNER TO NEW JERSEY'S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.

FOCUSED ON PRODUCTIVITY, PERFORMANCE, AND STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT.

MORE ON NJMEP.ORG.

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