10 Reasons Why New Jersey is the Best State for Business

New Jersey is the best state in the country to do business.

Where else can you find miles of coastline, sparkling lakes, and soaring mountains? Settle in next to 15 Fortune 500 companies? Take advantage of the most connected airports, highways, trains, and ports in the country? And have Choose New Jersey to help maximize your success, whether you’re relocating, expanding, or founding your business.

We have the most scientists and engineers per square mile. Our parks are celebrated by the Trust for Public Land. Our concert venues are ranked among the best in the world by Pollstar and Billboard. We could go on, but suffice to say, New Jersey is not only a great place to live, but also a bustling hub with a spot on the global economic stage. These are the Top 10 reasons why New Jersey is the perfect place for your business.

1. TALENT & EDUCATION

New Jersey has the most highly educated workforce. It’s simple to match qualified employees to businesses searching for world-class candidates. New Jersey’s comprehensive approach to training includes competitive employee grants, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training programs. Your business’s next star employee is just an email away.

We also have one of the best-educated and most diverse talent pools in the U.S. Our nine research universities include three Carnegie R1 classified facilities: Princeton University (the #1 university in the country), Rutgers University–New Brunswick, and New Jersey Institute of Technology. The students from these top research universities are part of a broader network of scholars who support the research needs of New Jersey’s private sector. Thousands of programs propelling this work are why more than 44% of our residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher – about 10% above the national average.

2. RAISING A FAMILY

New Jersey also leads rankings in public school systems, early childhood education, and best places to raise children. MoneyRates.com ranked New Jersey the #1 state in America to raise a family. U.S. News and World Report named New Jersey the #1 state for educating students at every level. The #2 STEM high school in the country, High Technology High School, is also located in New Jersey.

3. INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY

New Jersey is located at the heart of the country’s most important economic corridor, meaning no part of the world is out of reach. Global access comes from our prime location and unparalleled infrastructure. Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport make up the #1 busiest airport system in the U.S. It has unrivaled, nonstop domestic and international destinations. Combined, the three airports manage 1,200 daily nonstop domestic flights and 340 daily nonstop international flights. Not to mention, Philadelphia International Airport – yet another globally connected airport – is easily accessible.

4. THE PORT OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY

New Jersey has the busiest maritime seaport in North America. The Port of New York and New Jersey recently surpassed the Port of Los Angeles as the busiest seaport for imports, which held the title for 22 years. Any type of cargo you can imagine travels through the port, which also makes it a leading hub for domestic freight. Over 9.4 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalency Units, a measurement for cargo) moved through our ports in 2022.

5. OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

New Jersey’s dense network of highways, rails, and sea lanes offers access to nearly 60 million consumers (almost 1/5 of the country’s total population) within a day’s drive. Our mass transit system, NJ Transit, is the third largest provider of rail, light rail, and bus service in the country, serving 270 million passengers each year.

Northern New Jersey is a 20-minute train ride from New York City and Southern New Jersey is right across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. It takes less time to travel from Jersey City to Wall Street than it does from Midtown Manhattan. New Jersey offers rail access to Boston in 4 hours and to Washington, D.C. in 3 hours. Wherever you need to go, you can get there from New Jersey.

6. Our diverse landscape

When it comes to quality of life, there is no competition. New Jersey consistently ranks in the Top 5 states to live in the U.S. Whether you enjoy rural, suburban, or urban life, you’ll find a comfortable home in New Jersey. You can settle along the coast’s sandy beaches, the farmlands of Sussex or Salem County, or in the heart of bustling Hoboken or Atlantic City. You’re never more than 2 hours away from beaches, mountains, lakes, and more.

7. Our arts and entertainment scene

Rain or shine, there is always something to do in New Jersey. The state is full of thriving downtowns and unique attractions. Some of the world’s best performers have graced the stages of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, the Prudential Center (recently listed as #5 on Pollstar’s list of top venues worldwide), PNC Bank Arts Center, and MetLife Stadium, as well as iconic venues like the Stone Pony in Asbury Park and the County Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. Exclusive exhibits are constantly in rotation at the Montclair Art Museum, Noyes Museum of Art in Atlantic City, and the Newark Museum of Art. Data Arts recently named Newark and Jersey City in the Top 20 regions with vibrant arts communities.

8. Our sports venues

Looking to attend a game? Head to the Prudential Center in Newark and catch a Devil’s hockey game. Or, hop over to East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Giants and the New York Jets (which bear the name “New York” but actually play in New Jersey). Red Bull Arena in Harrison is the state’s home for major league soccer, and the National Women’s Soccer League team NJ/NY Gotham FC calls it home. The state’s minor league baseball teams include the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, Trenton Thunder, Somerset Patriots, and more. Plus, all of New Jersey’s top-notch arenas are easy to get to, thanks to the New Jersey train system.

9. Jersey Fresh produce

Aptly named “The Garden State,” New Jersey produces the best tomatoes in the country. And next time you’re in an out-of-state grocery store during blueberry season, check where those blueberries are from. There’s a good chance they come from Hammonton, the Blueberry Capital of the World. Hundreds of our towns and cities hold farmers markets year-round, serving the best homegrown produce you will find on the East Coast. The good eats don’t stop there, as New Jersey’s diverse population makes our state the ultimate foodie destination – from the fresh seafood of Cape May to the Portuguese and Brazilian delicacies of Newark’s Ironbound District.

10. Values that matter

New Jersey is proud to be the fourth most diverse state in the country. We value the differences between us that create opportunities for connection and community. New Jersey recognizes you for who you are and what matters to you most. We have reaffirmed, and codified in state law, women’s rights by ensuring access to reproductive health care. For families, we offer one of the few state-level paid family leave programs with up to 12 weeks of paid leave. New Jersey also has some of the strongest anti-discrimination policies to protect people of any sexual orientation and gender identity. In New Jersey, you can be who you are, wherever you go.

Relocate Your Business for Today and the Future

At Choose New Jersey, our team has the knowledge and resources to help your business thrive and succeed. Whether you’re just starting up or looking to relocate or expand operations, consider New Jersey for your new home. For more information about our services, contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!