PARSIPPANY — Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Mike Turner (OH-10) reintroduced the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act. This legislation would allow state and local governments, nonprofits, or developers to fully deduct the cost of environmental remediation of brownfields, and vacant industrial and commercial areas like gas stations that remain undeveloped because of concerns of environmental contamination. 

“Brownfields redevelopment are great opportunity to take abandoned and even environmentally hazardous sites and transform them into new business opportunities and community spaces that provide critical flood mitigation and contamination cleanup. Unfortunately, the high costs associated with redevelopment make it difficult to move projects forward. That’s why I’m introducing this bipartisan bill to offset the cost of revitalizing these sites. These projects will in turn create jobs, expand opportunities for businesses, and increase property values,” said Rep. Sherrill. “We’ve already seen positive results in communities like Bloomfield that have turned a brownfield site into a community park and flood mitigation area. With this tax credit, we will be able to build on that success and create new opportunities  for housing, infrastructure, business, and recreation.”  

“During my tenure as Mayor of Dayton, I identified a brownfield redevelopment project that spurred the construction of what is now the Dragons’ home, and I have proudly worked to repurpose the Miami Valley’s brownfields for development ever since,” said Rep. Turner. “Day Air Ballpark has become a vibrant economic and social anchor in Downtown Dayton, attracting hotels, breweries, and condominiums to the area. Communities nationwide can use the Dayton model to spur private investment, and I am grateful for Congresswoman Sherrill’s partnership in this meaningful effort.”

“This tax incentive is one of the most powerful tools the federal government has to promote brownfield cleanup and development.  It’s available across the country to volunteers with a contaminated site and returns significant capital that developers can invest in their next project.  We urge Congress to support it,” said Lee Ilan, Steering Committee Member, National Brownfields Coalition, Chief of Planning, Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation, Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, City of New York.

“Successful brownfield redevelopment requires addressing the extraordinary cost these sites present to the private market. When in effect previously, the federal Brownfields Tax Incentive helped offset these costs and moved the market to redevelop sites for the benefit of everyone. If enacted again, similar results can be expected– widespread advantages for all parties involved,” said Jim Tischler, Chair, National Brownfields Coalition Policy Committee, Development Director, Michigan Land Bank Authority.

“It will greatly benefit brownfield redevelopment efforts in the Northeast to have the return of this federal tax incentive,” said Linda Shaw, Esq., Knauf Shaw LLP, Policy Committee Member, National Brownfields Coalition

“We are thankful to Rep. Sherrill’s office for reintroducing this vital tax credit for brownfields redevelopment and community revitalization and are eager to see its passage into law,” said Katharine Burgess, Vice President of Land Use and Development at Smart Growth America, which convenes the National Brownfields Coalition. “The tax incentive can accelerate the cleanup of the nation’s contaminated sites and is a powerful tool to support equitable development in areas that have been historically disadvantaged by harmful land uses.”

“The time could not be better for us to come together to push for the passage of the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act to advance brownfield redevelopment projects. The Act embodies our common vision to create safe, healthy and clean neighborhoods where people live and work,” said Jean Hamerman, Executive Director, the Center for Creative Land Recycling.

The Brownfields Tax Incentive was first passed as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. It allowed taxpayers to deduct remediation expenditures for the cleanup of a property if the property was used for trade, business, or producing income. However, following a two-year extension in 2009, the incentive expired on January 1, 2012, and Congress has since failed to reauthorize this tax incentive. There are an estimated 450,000 brownfields across the country.

Rep. Sherrill previously introduced the Brownfields Redevelopment Tax Incentive Reauthorization Act in the 116th and 117th Congress.

PARSIPPANY — The celebrations of culture, spirituality, and community that began with the opening of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Jersey continue to resonate in all BAPS Mandirs throughout North America this Diwali. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Parsippany, NJ hosted a grand Diwali celebration on November 12, allowing the local community to immerse themselves in the deep-rooted traditions of this beloved Festival of Lights.

Diwali, the revered Hindu ‘festival of lights’, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It’s a time for reflection, rejuvenation, and celebration for millions across the world. This year, the local BAPS Mandir presented an experience that seamlessly wove age-old traditions with contemporary expressions of faith, culture, and community.

“The Diwali season provides an opportunity to welcome the full community to the Mandir and celebrate Diwali with its traditions, significance, and values“ shared Kamal Kapadia, Community Affairs Lead.

Devotees and visitors were welcomed with a vibrant and traditional reception at the mandir’s entrance, where colorful decorations, including a beautifully intricate Rangoli, an ornate floor design crafted from colored powder. This artistic display not only added to the festive atmosphere but also served as a fitting introduction to the rich cultural heritage celebrated locally and nationally at the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham.

Another awe-inspiring feature was the ‘Annakut’, where hundreds of vegetarian dishes were offered as a token of gratitude to the divine, symbolizing abundance and the community’s unwavering devotion. Devotees, young and old, had poured weeks of preparation into ensuring the Annakut was a feast for both the eyes and the soul.

“The annakut preparation begins very early in the morning for us,” explained Rushit Patel a BAPS youth volunteer. “The vegetarian food is traditionally arranged in tiers or steps in front of the sacred images of God. Today over 700 food items have been offered on this day of celebration and appreciation.”

For families, volunteers organized an array of children’s activities, allowing younger generations to bond with their cultural roots while partaking in the festivities. These encompassed storytelling sessions, craft workshops, and traditional games to engage all who took part in the celebrations.

Similar to this local community celebration, BAPS mandirs across North America welcomed visitors with the glow of lights, bright colors, and a festive ambiance as they took in the colorful and joyful spirit of Diwali. The multiple days of Diwali are steeped in traditions and rituals that symbolize new beginnings and a renewed commitment to family. The bright colors of Rangoli, the lamps, and the elaborate offering of vegetarian food (Annakut) to God, all mark a renewal of the good within and the goodwill towards all around us.

The spiritual head of BAPS, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj sent blessings to all devotees and well-wishers for Diwali.  He encouraged all to find the light within them and make it shine brighter by incorporating unity, values, spirituality, and a spirit of giving. 

Reflecting on the day, the spirit of Diwali was palpably felt not just in the surroundings of the mandir, but in the hearts and souls of every visitor. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir remains a pillar of culture, community unity, and spiritual enrichment. As the lights of Diwali continue to glow within our memories, the mandir extends its deepest gratitude to all who made this celebration a cherished moment in time.

PARSIPPANY  — It was a beautiful Thanksgiving morning, the sun was shining and the temperature mild, as Knoll West Country Club Manager, Kypros “Kip” Andreou, and his staff arrived very early at Parsippany’s gorgeous Knoll West County Club and Catering to begin preparations for over 200 individual Thanksgiving dinners that were to be generously donated to those in need throughout the community.

As Chef Peter Kypriamou and Jonathan Vicari began the demanding kitchen preparations for such an event, other necessary duties, such as setting up, boxing each individual meal, and making sure the delivery lists were in order fell upon volunteers, Jorge Manzo and Steve Aimutis, while General Manager Andreou coordinated the operations.

Each meal consisted of a nice-sized portion of Turkey (naturally), stuffing, mashed potatoes, cauliflower & broccoli, salad, gravy, and cranberries. A meal is sure to make the recipient’s holiday a little brighter.

The event was coordinated between Knoll West C.C. Catering, Saint Peter the Apostle Church, and the Parsippany United Methodist Church, who helped create the list of recipients.  A steady stream of volunteers, those who were delivering meals throughout the community, as well as individuals picking up their own dinners, kept the Knoll staff busy. The distribution lasted between 10:00 a.m. and noon and ran like a well-oiled machine.  

Mr. Andreou noted that it was with the assistance of such companies as Baldor Specialty Foods, out of the Bronx, N.Y., and M&J Frank Restaurant Supplies, located in East Hanover, for their generous donations leading to the success of this much-appreciated community event.  

 All involved, the Knoll Catering staff, the volunteers, and anyone who contributed in any way clearly enjoyed and took great satisfaction in being a part of a giving-back community event such as this.  After all, isn’t assisting those, our neighbors and friends, who are in need of some assistance, part of what this holiday, and what our community is all about?