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Holly City Development Corporation (HCDC) has been awarded $985,000 to continue to support revitalization in Center City Millville. The 2023 grant from the NJ Department of Community Affair’s Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program includes $200,000 from OceanFirst Bank and $190,000 from BDGS, Inc. — the real estate development arm of Stanker & Galetto in Vineland. Another $595,000 was awarded to HCDC through NRTC’s Corona Virus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund program.


NRTC offers businesses a 100 percent tax credit against various New Jersey state taxes. Credits are provided to businesses that invest in the revitalization of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods in eligible cities. OceanFirst Bank and BDGS, Inc. contributed to HCDC through this program.


“We are proud to contribute to the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program and are pleased that Holly City Development Corporation was among the non-profit organizations selected by the Department of Community Affairs to receive funds provided by OceanFirst,” said Vincent D’Alessandro, Community Bank President at OceanFirst Bank N.A. Mr. D’Alessandro added, “The NRTC Program is a win-win benefitting our neighbors in need and our local communities.”


“Directing tax dollars through the NRTC is a very practical way to support long-term investment in the City of Millville,” said Ethan Byler, President, BDGS, Inc. and Executive Vice President of Stanker & Galetto, Inc. “The outstanding efforts of Holly City Development Corp are building a meaningful foundation for continued private investment in the community.”


To become eligible for the most recent round of NRTC funding, HCDC submitted a 10-year comprehensive neighborhood plan that involved three phases of work and lasted approximately 10 months. The process and deliverables were guided by a steering committee of 21 members. HCDC will use 2023 NRTC funding for design and pre-development of key properties, small business assistance, neighborhood improvements and activities, and job training through internships with local business partners.


“We are truly grateful for the contributions OceanFirst Bank and Stanker & Galetto made through the NRTC program, as well as the additional funding DCA provided,” said HCDC Executive Director Heather Santoro. She went on to say there are several very visible ways previous NRTC funding is already at work in Center City. “The Millville Public Library expansion — which is underway — is funded in-part by NRTC. Since 2014, NRTC grants have also allowed us to financially support pre-development work for the Rowan College of South Jersey Arts and Innovation Center, the Complete Care facility, and the Creative Enterprise Center.”

HCDC has also used NRTC funding to rehab homes in Millville’s residential neighborhoods, establish and maintain the community garden at Fourth & Vine Streets and administer Playstreets, a yearly, six-week summer program that closes Pine Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets to open the street for a day of play.


This latest grant brings the total HCDC has invested in Center City Millville’s revitalization through NRTC to over $4.45 million since 2014. Past NRTC participants that used the program to contribute to HCDC include South Jersey Gas, Horizon Healthcare, PNC Bank and TD Bank.

Playstreets

Businesses interested in helping community and economic development through the NRTC program can visit the state’s website at nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/nrtc.


About OceanFirst Bank N.A.

OceanFirst Bank N.A. is a $13.6 billion regional bank founded in 1902 and is a subsidiary of OceanFirst Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:OCFC). OceanFirst provides financial services throughout New Jersey and in the major metropolitan markets of Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, and Boston. The Bank delivers commercial and residential financing, treasury management, trust and asset management, and deposit services and is one of the largest and oldest community-based financial institutions headquartered in New Jersey.


About Stanker & Galetto, Inc.

Founded in Vineland in 1946, Stanker & Galetto remains a hallmark of quality and reliability in the construction industry spanning three generations of family leadership and commitment proudly serving Southern New Jersey. With decades of knowledge and experience in industrial, commercial and community construction, as well as property management and real estate holdings, Stanker & Galetto excels in meeting the modern building needs of business and industry today.

We're thrilled to post the next installment in our series titled Local Business Spotlight!🔆


We shine the spotlight this time on Mission Spirits at 215 Buck Street in Millville.

Founder Jay Wheeler grew up in the friendly suburbs of Toledo, Ohio, but soon moved to Philadelphia for college and ultimately found a familiar sense of strong community, mutual support, and local pride in Millville, where he decided to build his beautiful distillery named Mission Spirits.


Learn more about Mission Spirits in our interview just below.

Elegant, inviting, and extraordinary—the storefront of Mission Spirits shines on Buck Street.

Connecting the Past and the Present

"We had unfettered access to the houses and yards of our neighbors." Jay describes his childhood in the suburbs of Toledo, Ohio with this idyllic picture. The community was close, supportive, and open. Kids could stop by the home of a friend, grab a bite to eat, and run off to the next adventure.


Jay soon moved to West Philadelphia to attend the University of Pennsylvania and begin a new life on the East Coast. He followed his academic pursuits with a successful media career in New York City.


Every one of these memories, decisions, and experiences would come to influence Jay's decision to build his own distillery in Millville. "I felt that same love and dedication in Millville that I recalled from my childhood, and it gave me comfort."


Stellar Product, Outstanding Service, and Extraordinary Experiences

In addition to his appreciation for the citizens of Millville, Jay expressed his gratitude for generous support from the city government that helped him navigate the development process for Mission Spirits. Permits, regulations, contacts—Jay can't overstate the value of this collaboration, which allowed him to maintain his focus on the business and the product, while still complying with local laws.


And the outcome of that focus on the business and the product? Something extraordinary for our city!

Just a sampling of the stellar products at the bar of Mission Spirits.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset

As Jay reflects on his decision to build Mission Spirits in Millville, he reveals his sharp instincts for good business. The logistics of distributing his products efficiently to markets in DC, Atlantic City, the Jersey Shore, Philadelphia, and New York City. The surrounding local organizations full of partnership potential such as the Levoy Theatre, the New Jersey Motorsports Park, and Wheaton Village. And of course the beautiful building in the heart of our downtown district to meet customers where they're at.

Plush seating, warm decor, and a view of the distillation process make for an extraordinary experience.

Jay recommends a similar strategy to the next generation of local entrepreneurs. "Make a detailed plan with a strict budget, then test your ideas quickly and inexpensively with friends, family, and even some acquaintances who are further removed from you and therefore willing to share harsh truths. If you see promising results after all, go for it!"


We at HCDC have witnessed the success of this entrepreneurial mindset, especially within our Creative Enterprise Center and among our other downtown businesses.


Finally, Jay shares a message from the entire team at Mission Spirits. "We want to encourage people to invest in themselves and work hard, dedicating themselves to excellence in their craft. It means trying and failing and trying again, having the steadfast resilience to pick yourself up and keep going."


We're honored to have Mission Spirits in our city and look forward to its enduring success!✅

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