As New Jersey approaches 2026, the state’s business community is preparing for a year defined by transition, uncertainty, and opportunity. A changing political landscape in Trenton, unresolved global tensions, lingering trade concerns, and unanswered questions around interest rates are all converging at once. Add the backdrop of midterm elections and rapid technological change, and the year ahead is shaping up to be anything but predictable.
Against that backdrop, a statewide survey of senior executives and business owners reveals a surprisingly steady outlook. While leaders acknowledge the volatility surrounding them, many say their own organizations are positioned to navigate the turbulence thanks to recent strategic decisions, investments, and long-term planning. The prevailing sentiment is not blind optimism, but a belief that preparation and adaptability will matter more than macro forces alone.
Executives from a wide range of industries participated, offering insight into how New Jersey businesses are thinking about growth, risk, and resilience. Although opinions varied on the broader economy, respondents were generally more forthcoming when discussing their own companies. Those who did share details often pointed to structural changes already underway—mergers, expansion plans, operational discipline, and technology adoption—as reasons for confidence.
That perspective is reflected in the legal sector, where consolidation and scale are increasingly seen as competitive advantages. Christine Amalfe, a partner at the newly combined firm formed by Newark-based Gibbons PC and Frost Brown Todd, described the merger as a catalyst for expanded capability. With roughly 800 attorneys across dozens of offices nationwide, the firm’s broader reach and deeper bench are expected to unlock new opportunities for clients ranging from large corporations to growing mid-market businesses. Amalfe, who also serves as president of the New Jersey State Bar Association, emphasized that national scale paired with a strong local presence is a formula she believes will pay dividends in the coming year.
Confidence rooted in execution rather than optimism alone was a recurring theme. In the fast-evolving cannabis industry, disciplined expansion remains the watchword. Sam Brill, chief executive officer of Ascend Wellness Holdings, outlined plans to open six additional partnership-based retail locations in 2026. Rather than chasing rapid growth for its own sake, Brill noted that the company is prioritizing retail performance, customer loyalty, and operational consistency—factors he believes will sustain engagement and revenue even if broader market conditions fluctuate.
Technology, particularly artificial intelligence, emerged as one of the most frequently cited forces expected to reshape business operations over the next year. While many leaders see AI as a productivity driver, others are already grappling with its more complex implications. In the legal profession, those challenges are becoming immediate. David Carton, a partner and co-chair of matrimonial and family law at Mandelbaum Barrett, expects AI to significantly alter how courts evaluate evidence. As manipulated images, documents, and recordings become more sophisticated, judges and attorneys alike will need to apply greater scrutiny, potentially changing how cases are prepared and litigated.
Beyond individual sectors, the survey responses suggest that New Jersey’s business climate remains underpinned by experienced leadership and a willingness to adapt. Industries tied to investment cycles, including development and commercial real estate, are watching interest rate policy closely while recalibrating expectations. Coverage of these trends continues across Sunset Daily News, including in ongoing reporting on the state’s evolving property market within the publication’s real estate section, where readers can track how shifting economic signals are influencing deals, development, and long-term planning.
Taken together, the outlook for 2026 is neither uniformly rosy nor overtly pessimistic. Instead, it reflects a pragmatic confidence grounded in preparation. Business leaders understand that uncertainty is unavoidable, but many believe they have already taken the steps necessary to weather disruption and capitalize on opportunity when it arises.
That mindset matters. Confidence, after all, has a way of reinforcing itself, just as hesitation can slow momentum. With thoughtful leadership and strategic foresight, New Jersey’s business community appears ready to meet the year ahead with energy, realism, and resolve. As always, individual results will vary—but the state’s executives are not standing still, and that may be the most important signal of all.
