Seventy-six percent of New Jersey residents support a $3 billion public bond for climate resilience infrastructure, according to a poll released by Fairleigh Dickinson University t…
IS NEW JERSEY READY FOR THE NEXT BIG STORM?
93% of voters want the state to invest in projects that reduce weather damage. This bipartisan support includes 97% of Democrats and 89% of Republicans.
Image Credit: U.S. Coast Guard
NEW JERSEY CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT
Rebuild’s latest research, “NJ Underwater: Public Infrastructure at Risk,” finds nearly 1 in 4 public facilities in New Jersey are currently at risk of flooding. By 2050, that rises to more than 1 in 3.
Flooding and extreme weather have cost New Jersey taxpayers $7.9 billion in federal disaster spending in the last 15 years. By 2050, rising flood risk threatens $435.9 billion in property value, $5.9 billion in annual tax revenue, and thousands of the schools, hospitals, fire stations, and water systems families depend on every day. At the same time, 1.3 million residents will live in high flood risk areas. Half are lower income and may not have the resources to move.
These costs get passed on to families through rising property taxes, higher insurance premiums, and growing utility bills.
New Jersey needs a resilient infrastructure bond to create dedicated, long-term funding that protects communities, homes, and public systems before the next storm hits. A $3 billion resilient infrastructure bond could support more than 26,000 good-paying jobs across the state, with federal matching pushing that to 45,000.
Every $1 invested in resilient infrastructure yields $13 in avoided disaster costs and every $1 not invested in disaster resilience today can cost communities up to $33 in lost future economic activity.
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The Data Is Clear, New Jersey Is Underwater
1.3M People
will be at risk of flooding by 2050. Half are lower income.
Lower income families are the most likely to be in harm’s way.
View displacement data
1 in 3 Assets
public assets will be in flood zones by 2050, up from nearly 1 in 4 today.
6,726 schools, hospitals, water systems, fire stations, parks, and other public assets will be at risk by 2050.
View statewide infrastructure map
98% of AC
of Atlantic City's public assets will be at risk by 2050, up from 93% today.
Across 8 major cities, half of public infrastructure will be in flood zones by 2050.
View city-level risk
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SAFEGUARDING NJ'S FUTURE
Ranked 5th
in the nation for per capita FEMA disaster spending (public assistance & hazard mitigation).
$7.9 billion since 2011. 14 disasters. All 21 counties hit at least 5 times.
View disaster history
76% of Voters
of voters support a resilient infrastructure bond.
Across party lines. Two-thirds say the state should be doing more.
View poll results
26,000+ Jobs
from a $3 billion resilient infrastructure bond.
With federal matching, that number could reach 45,000.
View jobs report
Insurance Is Disappearing Where It's Needed Most
3 in 4 New Jerseyans Worried About Damage from Extreme Weather
77%
Worried about extreme weather damage
Only 7% of voters say they are not concerned at all
Rep
Ind
Dem
93%
Want investments to reduce weather damage
Including strong majorities across every party
Rep
Ind
Dem
76%
Support a $3 billion resilient infrastructure bond
Strong majorities across every party affiliation
Rep
Ind
Dem
Across party lines, New Jersey voters support large-scale investment in resilient infrastructure, according to a survey by Rebuild by Design and Environmental Defense Fund, in partnership with Fairleigh Dickinson University. Read the poll results >>
$3 Billion Climate Resilience Bond CAN Support 26,000+ Jobs IN NJ
| Impact | $3 Billion Investment Scenario (Bond Act) | $9 Billion Investment Scenario (Insurance Surcharge) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Without Leveraged Funds | With Leveraged Funds | Without Leveraged Funds | With Leveraged Funds | |
| Direct Spending (Millions) | $3,000 | $5,200 | $9,000 | $15,600 |
| Direct Jobs | 13,000 | 23,000 | 40,000 | 70,000 |
| Indirect Jobs | 4,000 | 6,000 | 11,000 | 19,000 |
| Induced Jobs | 8,000 | 15,000 | 25,000 | 45,000 |
| Total Jobs | 26,000 | 45,000 | 77,000 | 134,000 |
Source: AECOM Analysis. Notes: Multipliers are derived from EMSI for New Jersey from 2024. Job estimates are for those supported within New Jersey. Figures are rounded to nearest thousand. Totals may not add due to rounding. Direct, Indirect, and Induced Impacts are defined in Appendix C of the report.
A report by AECOM and Rebuild by Design, Understanding the Potential Economic Impacts of Climate Resilience Investment Scenarios in New Jersey, models two funding scenarios for state-level resilient infrastructure: $3 billion and $9 billion, invested across three categories:
- 40% for Flood Risk Reduction and Restoration
- 40% for Water Infrastructure
- 20% for Climate Resilience, including grid modernization, energy efficiency upgrades, and nature-based solutions
A $3 billion investment could support 26,000 jobs; a $9 billion investment could support 77,000. With federal matching, those numbers grow to 45,000 and 134,000 jobs respectively, unlocking billions in additional spending. Beyond job creation, these investments would expand workforce development and support communities most impacted by climate change and economic inequality.
AN EXAMPLE NEXT DOOR: NEW YORK'S $4.2B ENVIRONMENTAL BOND ACT
In 2019, Rebuild by Design worked with a coalition of leaders across New York State In response to the coalition’s work, NY voters approved the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act in November 2022.
As of March 2026, NYS has allocated $1.9 billion to projects across the state.
The bond act funded: $1.1 billion for Restoration and Flood Risk Reduction; $650 million for Water Quality Improvement and Resilient Infrastructure; $650 million for Open Space Conservation and Recreation; $1.5 billion for Climate Change Mitigation; and $300 million for other projects.
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