TRENTON – Aiming to support the growth and success of New Jersey’s craft alcoholic beverage industry, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senators Nilsa Cruz-Perez and Kristin Corrado that would direct the Economic Development Authority to, in conjunction with the Director of the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, develop and implement a “Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program”.

“Craft brewing is part of New Jersey’s heritage, dating back to colonial times. In fact, canned beers were first sold by the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company in Newark,” said Senator Cruz-Perez (D-Camden/Gloucester), Chair of the Senate Economic Growth Committee. “Today, our craft brewing industry is booming, and to maintain that growth we need to support the industry. This bill will do just that, helping consumers identify New Jersey craft beverages and promoting our brewers across the state.”

The bill, S-3970, would direct the establishment of the “Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program” to encourage, advertise, and promote the craft alcoholic beverages manufactured in the state as well as the retailers who promote and sell New Jersey craft beverages in the state. The bill would establish a “Certified Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer” signage program to allow eligible alcoholic beverage license holders to promote their products, while an associated grant program would facilitate capital improvements or the purchase of goods and services. The maximum grant award would not exceed $2,500 annually.

The grants under the program would be issued by the “New Jersey Certified Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer Fund” established by the bill. The monies used to effectuate the grant program would derive from 50 percent of the receipts from the per gallon tax imposed on sales of beer, cider, mead, and liquors sold by holders of a limited brewery license, restricted brewery license, farm brewery license, cidery and meadery license, or craft distillery license.