During these challenging economic times for our businesses, especially our small businesses, our Main Street Vineland office receives a lot of information about ways that we can help—including grants and other means of financial assistance. This is one that interested small businesses should jump on quickly.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced a $50 million expansion of its Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. It will provide grants up to $10,000 for qualified businesses and relaxes eligibility criteria for a broader range of businesses. This includes home-based businesses and sole proprietorships. If your business is in the Opportunity Zone, as most of our downtown businesses are, there is a special set-aside of $15 million.
Even if your business is a sole proprietorship or an LLC, you could be eligible for a $1,000 grant, but as time is limited for this grant, which went live on June 9, you should apply now. If a high demand results in the funding for this round being exhausted, the NJEDA emphasizes that submitting your application will ensure that, if additional funds for this round become available, you may be eligible. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-submitted basis.
For more information on this grant program and the other ways that the NJEDA can help your business weather this COVID-19 crisis, go to njeda.com/covidgrantprogramexpansion. You will find a link there to this Phase 2 of the NJEDA’s Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program, with application information.
• Don’t forget to show your love and support of our front-line workers in the field, and of our small businesses on The Ave, by making a donation to help and thank those workers. Members 1st of NJ Federal Credit Union has generously agreed to match all donations up to a total of $1,000. The Main Street Vineland office will make all purchases, which will come from downtown businesses on The Ave. To give, go to the home page of Main Street Vineland’s website.
• “Shop Local—Shop Safe” is an initiative in partnership with the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce to emphasize shopping our local businesses, whether it’s at the retail or supplier level, and doing so in a safe and responsible way, following the proper social distancing guidelines.
• Take Out Thursdays is Main Street Vineland’s way of helping restaurants on The Ave, many of which are open, but only doing takeout and delivery. This week’s restaurant is Kura Thai & Sushi, at 607 E. Landis Avenue. Sample authentic ethnic cuisine; keep our business climate healthy.
A further reminder to go to the home page of our website—The Ave.biz—for links to initiatives to help our local businesses during these hard economic times.
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Remember that Main Street Vineland is here to help. In the spirit of social distancing and respecting the safety of our staff, our office is currently closed to walk-in public though we are still working every day.
We pass this information along to our businesses every Thursday on POP 99.9 FM, Channel 22, and on Facebook Live on facebook.com/snjtodayradio, as well as TheAve.biz and facebook.com/mainstreetvineland.
For more information on Main Street Vineland, call our office at 856-794-8653, visit our exciting website—TheAve.biz—or check us out on Facebook. You can also e-mail me at rswanson@vinelandcity.org.
