BigginsLacy Shapiro & Co. (BLS & Co.) was privileged to serve as advisorto Liberty Science Center (LSC) insecuring the first project approval from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority(NJEDA) under the highly competitive Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE)program. The approval supports LSC’s transformational campus expansion and thelaunch of new exhibits designed to take the art and science of STEM engagement toa new level for students of all ages.

“Supporting Liberty Science Center in reaching thismilestone underscores how targeted public policy can catalyze mission-driveninvestment,” said Jay Biggins, executive managing director at BLS & Co.“NJEDA’s CAFE program will enable LSC to bring more world-class immersive STEM experiences,while advancing New Jersey’s leadership in science education and innovation.”

Liberty Science Center is the largest interactive sciencecenter in the New York metropolitan area and home to the largest and mosttechnologically advanced planetarium and digital theater in the WesternHemisphere. The Science Center attracts more than 800,000 visitors a year fromthroughout the region and global tourists visiting the New York metro area.

This CAFE approval will allow LSC to proceed with plannedexpansion and enhancement of its existing facility and grounds, including new indoorand outdoor exhibit galleries and immersive experiences intended to servestudents, families, researchers and other lifelong learners. The scope alignswith LSC’s mission to engage K–12 audiences and the broader public in scienceand engineering, including programming anchored by the Jennifer ChalstyPlanetarium.

The NJEDA Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) programprovides tax credits through a competitive process for cultural artsinstitutions undertaking impactful construction, rehabilitation or expansionprojects.

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