NJEDA Approves First Award Under NJ Manufacturing Program
TRENTON, N.J. (June 18, 2026) – Last week, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board approved the first tax credit award under the Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program. The award recipient, Starman New Photonics, LLC (“SNP”), is a newly formed U.S.-based advanced manufacturing company building a domestic supply of high-speed optical transceivers essential for the AI industry. With a $150 million investment, Starman will be renovating a 100,000-square-foot facility in Warren, New Jersey, and is expected to create 250 new jobs.
“New Jersey’s manufacturing industry is critical to our economy, helping drive investment and create good-paying jobs,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss. “Starman New Photonics is a perfect blend of a long-standing industry – manufacturing – and a new one – AI – both of which are producing impactful economic benefits for the state and its residents. I look forward to working with Governor Sherrill to ensure the industries have the tools needed to grow and succeed and its economic impact is felt in communities across the state.”
SNP will manufacture next-generation optical transceivers through precision manufacturing, assembly, packaging, and R&D. Optical transceivers are essential for AI production, connecting Graphics Processing Units in data centers and overcoming bandwidth and energy limitations.
“This award demonstrates exactly what the Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program was designed to accomplish. It has attracted major private investment and will create hundreds of high-quality jobs,” said Senator Linda Greenstein, co-chair of the Legislative Manufacturing Caucus. “Starman New Photonics’ decision to invest in Somerset County is a tremendous win for our manufacturing sector and our state as a whole. As demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow, it is critical that New Jersey remains at the forefront of developing emerging technologies while expanding our capacity to manufacture them at scale. I was proud to sponsor the legislation creating this program in the Legislature, and I am excited to see the real economic benefits it will have for working families in our communities.”
“Manufacturing built New Jersey’s economy, and investments like this are exactly what we need to keep it strong for future generations,” said Senator Michael Testa (R-Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland). “At a time when too much of our manufacturing base and critical technology production has moved overseas, Starman New Photonics’ decision to invest $150 million and create 250 jobs here in New Jersey is a major win for our workers, our economy, and our national security. By expanding domestic production of technology that is essential to the growing AI industry, this project helps strengthen American supply chains and reduce our dependence on foreign competitors. It’s a reminder that when government creates the right environment for investment and innovation, businesses will choose to grow, hire, and manufacture right here in the Garden State.”