TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Jeff Van Drew and Senator Vin Gopal that would provide financial assistance to wineries and vineyards in New Jersey was approved by the Senate today.

“New Jersey wineries and vineyards are an important part of our local economies.  The EDA provides assistance to small businesses that cannot receive loans from banks, and this will be a major benefit to vineyards and wineries that have a difficult time attaining those loans,” said Senator Van Drew (D-Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland).  “Expanding the operations of vineyards and wineries will not only be good for local economies, it will also be good for the prospects of job growth.”

“The wine industry in New Jersey has the opportunity to become well-known around the country,” said Senator Gopal (D-Monmouth).  “Not only will this help to spur economic development in these counties, it will also allow us to increase tourism to the Jersey Shore as well.  The Jersey Shore is arguably one of New Jersey’s most striking features, and tourists will want to come to our state to enjoy both.”

S-1057 requires the EDA, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, to establish a loan program for certain vineyard and winery capital expenses.  Its purpose is to increase the size and output of both wineries and vineyards. 

Under the bill, the EDA would provide loans to eligible vineyards and wineries to pay for expenditures for land acquisition or improvement, infrastructure acquisition or modernization, and the purchase or modernization of machinery and equipment.  The loan amounts would be between $10,000 and $100,000, with interest rates between three and five percent, and terms up to ten years.  The EDA would be authorized to conduct annual financial audits of its lenders to ensure the viability of their operations. 

The bill was approved by the Senate by a vote of 38-0, and will next head to the Assembly for further consideration.

TRENTON – Senator Vin Gopal issued the following statement on the confirmation of Colonel Jemal J. Beale as the Adjutant General of New Jersey:

“I would like to congratulate New Jersey’s newly confirmed Adjutant General, Colonel Jemal J. Beale.  Colonel Beale works hard on behalf of the men and women in uniform, as well as, in the community of Ocean Township, where he lives.

“The Adjutant General oversees and leads the 8,400 men and women in New Jersey’s National Guard and Airmen.  The Adjutant General also manages the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs, its programs, commissions, and facilities in New Jersey. 

“Colonel Beale is a decorated combat veteran.  For his service and valor, his awards include the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal, among others.

“The Colonel has held commander positions in Sea Girt, Fort Dix, and in Afghanistan.  He has distinguished himself serving the country and the state, and has served overseas in countries such as Afghanistan, Albania, Germany, and Italy. 

“Colonel Beale has sacrificed for the safety and security of our state and country; I know that he will continue his distinguished career by serving New Jersey as Adjutant General with honor.”

The Adjutant General of New Jersey is the head of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.  The Adjutant General also oversees and leads the states National Guard and Airmen. 

HIGHLANDS -- Senator Vin Gopal released the following statement in support of Governor Murphy’s Executive Order to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative:

“Today is a day future generations of New Jerseyans will thank us for. I am excited to see Governor Murphy taking swift action to support our environment and there is no better place to do it than right here in Monmouth County. Readmission to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative will put us on a path toward a cleaner environment for our children and help drive green innovation throughout the state of New Jersey.

TINTON FALLS —With the election behind him, it hasn’t been any less busy for state Senator-elect Vin Gopal as he prepares to take office early next month among the 40 senators in Trenton.

“This is a whole new world view,” said Gopal, the 32-year-old Long Branch resident and newly -elected Democrat. Speaking from his office on Apple Street, where he runs his marketing and publishing businesses, Gopal offered his objectives for when he begins his term.

MONMOUTH, NJ (TIP): An evening to celebrate Monmouth County small-business owner and newly elected youngest state senator Vin Gopal was held on Friday, November 17, 2017, which was organized by South Asian Registration Initiatives – SARI led by prominent and successful business entrepreneur Ritesh Shah at Monroe Adult Day Care Center in Millstone Township, NJ, attended by more than 200 supporters, volunteers and community leaders.  Senator-elect Vin Gopal won by more than 4,000 votes defeating long-time incumbent politician Jennifer Beck.

Wednesday marked the first day in months Vin Gopal wasn't knocking on doors in hopes of garnering support for his New Jersey District 11 state Senate bid. The campaigning, however, hasn't ended now that Gopal won the seat from long-time Republican state Sen. Jennifer Beck. It's changed. 

By 10 a.m. — roughly 12 hours after Gopal stood on a chair in a Long Branch restaurant to give his victory speech to a packed crowd of supporters — he was on the phone, starting to fulfill one of his primary campaign promises: cutting costs for taxpayers by consolidating New Jersey's layers of government.