$300 Million Earmarked For Rutgers Capital Projects In State Budget

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Part of the record-high New Jersey state budget includes $300 million in capital improvements for Rutgers University.

Governor Phil Murphy signed the $50.6 billion budget on Thursday after the state Senate voted to approve it.

$100 million of this particular Rutgers allocation is earmarked to renovate Jersey Mike's Arena and develop an indoor practice facility for the football team, according to NJ.com.

Sources told reporter Andrew Mills that $150 million will be appropriated for the university's medical schools, and another $50 million for the New Jersey Innovation and Technology Hub in downtown New Brunswick.

Mills said the deal was "quietly hammered out last week."

The university did not specify what projects this $300 million funding would go to, and the budget line just says "Capital Needs."

"The state budget includes $300 million in one-time new capital funding for various Rutgers University construction/improvement projects," said Dory Devlin, assistant vice president for news and media relations. "The budget does not restrict the use of these monies, which will be utilized for university priorities following further internal discussion and deliberation."

Murphy's office clarified Rutgers is not the only college or university that will get state money.

“The FY2023 budget includes funding for institutions of higher education across our state, including for Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey," said press secretary Alyana Alfaro. "This allocation of funds was negotiated with the Legislature after discussions on ensuring that schools have the tools needed to adequately fund both academics and extracurricular activities.”

To read more about what's in the 2023 budget, click here.