Trenton-based center will focus on eliminating racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes

TRENTON – First Lady Tammy Murphy today announced the State of New Jersey was awarded $25 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury to support the construction of the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center (MIHIC) in Trenton. The Center, which is being developed by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), is a critical component of First Lady Murphy’s Nurture NJ Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan which aims to make New Jersey the safest and most equitable state in the nation to deliver and raise a baby.

The MIHIC will not only provide services to pregnant New Jerseyans, new parents, and babies, but also advance the growth and development of the perinatal workforce, and deliver maternal and infant health policy, research, and innovation focused on eliminating racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. The NJEDA will use the funding to secure the services of a construction manager and architect engineer, who will work closely with the NJEDA's real estate and program teams to oversee the design and development phases of the MIHIC.

“While we still have more work to do, I am incredibly proud of the momentum behind Nurture NJ’s mission to solve New Jersey’s maternal and infant health crisis,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Now, thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration and our dedicated congressional delegation’s commitment to provide essential resources for our Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center – a one-of-a-kind hub for developing groundbreaking maternal health care innovations – Nurture NJ will not only be able to lead the maternal care transformation here in New Jersey, but also nationwide, ensuring equitable and compassionate care for every mother and baby.”

“Under Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Murphy's leadership, New Jersey is ensuring that every expectant parent and child will receive the high-quality health care they deserve, especially in communities that have often been overlooked," said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. "The funding made possible by the Biden Administration is imperative to the development of the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center, which will provide critical health care services, training, and education that will improve maternal and infant health outcomes. The MIHIC will also spur innovation and job creation in the Trenton community and will create a stronger economy for its residents."

“While we must continue to work to pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and address the unacceptably high maternal mortality rates for women in the United States and New Jersey, I am proud to champion federal investments such as this one to give New Jersey resources to make crucial investments into our state’s maternal healthcare system,” said U.S. Senator Cory Booker. “I am grateful that Governor Murphy and the First Lady have made maternal health a priority and are focused on improving maternal health outcomes for New Jersey families.”

"As New Jersey’s sole appropriator in Congress I am proud to see $25 million awarded by the federal government in support of the MIHIC right here in Trenton,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. “New Jersey has made tremendous strides in fighting the maternal and infant mortality crisis and it is a testament to the incredible things we are able to accomplish through collaboration between the Biden-Harris Administration, our First Lady, the Murphy Administration, and state and local partners. While we have much work yet to do, the Trenton Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center will go a long way toward making New Jersey the best place in the country to birth and raise a child.”

"This transformative initiative, spearheaded by First Lady Tammy Murphy's Nurture NJ Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, signifies our commitment to ensuring every family in our community has access to quality care," said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. "With the Capital Project Fund bolstering federal and state support, we are poised to make Trenton a beacon of safety and equity for all mothers and infants, setting the standard for the nation to follow.”

The funding announced today was allocated through the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Project Fund (CPF), a component of the American Rescue Plan. Funding from the CPF supports critical infrastructure projects that promote public health and safety. Projects supported by CPF, such as the MIHIC, are crucial for enhancing the quality of life, economic vitality, and resilience of communities across the United States.

The Administration has worked closely with the John S. Watson Institute at Kean University on a two-year community engagement stakeholder process to ensure Trenton community voices guide the creation of the Center. In June 2023, Governor Murphy signed legislation establishing the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Authority, which is tasked with overseeing the MIHIC. In December 2023, six public members were appointed to the board, all with experience in areas related to maternal, infant, and childhood health care.