NJEDA Approves Nearly $40 Million in Tax Credits for Liberty Science Center Expansion

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has approved up to $39.8 million in tax credits to support Liberty Science Center’s “Project Supernova,” a $40 million expansion aimed at transforming the center’s exhibits, programming, and facilities. The announcement was made on November 14, 2025.

Funded through NJEDA’s new Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) program, Project Supernova will be the first initiative to receive support under the program. The expansion includes both indoor and outdoor enhancements to increase accessibility, engagement, and attendance.

Key new features will include a North American River Otter habitat, a physics-based miniature golf course inspired by New Jersey’s scientific legacy, and an unconventional “Kids Corner” with adjacent play zones for children and goats. The Center will also replace its Our Hudson Home exhibit with the immersive and climate-focused River Rising gallery.

Additional upgrades will reconfigure the layout to support large-scale exhibitions on the first floor, enabling Liberty Science Center to host nationally recognized attractions such as The Van Gogh Expo and The Harry Potter Experience. Enhancements will also be made to the planetarium, outdoor programming spaces, and the Wild About Animals habitat.

Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the initiative’s economic and cultural impact, stating, “The expansion of vibrant cultural institutions like the Liberty Science Center and the Mayo Performing Arts Center will serve as an economic catalyst for communities across the state.”

Liberty Science Center President and CEO Paul Hoffman thanked state officials for their support. “This project is a vibrant fusion of science, ecology, and culture,” Hoffman said. “It transforms the Center into an all-weather campus where learning is fun, hands-on, and accessible to all.”

Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026.