"The US Federal Reserve recently announced cuts in interest rates to lower the cost of borrowing, and to help speed economic activity," says EDA chief executive officer Caren S. Franzini. "This action today will allow us to remain a competitive lender and to effectively support Gov. Corzine's economic growth strategies."

The EDA plans to adjust its rates downward on some of its programs to as low as 2%. Interest rate ceilings would not be altered by the action. Specifically, the change would impact EDA financing assistance that is offered under certain urban loan programs, as well as direct loans offered through the EDA with variable rates, which would see a new interest rate floor of 2% instead of the current 3% rate.

Other small-business and brownfields lending programs offered by EDA, along with fixed interest rate direct loans, would carry new interest rate floors of 3%. They now have those floors set at a 4% interest rate.

The EDA is an independent, self-sustaining state financing and development agency that works to promote economic growth, job creation and revitalization activities of New Jersey's communities. That effort comes in the form of financing assistance, technical support and entrepreneurial training, as well as real estate development activities. Among other things, EDA is developing the New Jersey Technology Center along Route 1 in North Brunswick.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM Digital Member, you’ll receive:

  • Breaking commercial real estate news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
  • Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
  • Critical coverage of the property casualty insurance and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, PropertyCasualty360 and ThinkAdvisor
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.