November 17, 2020 - DCA Announces Award of $3.1 Million in Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit COVID-19 Relief Grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Grants Aimed at Helping Neighborhoods and Vulnerable Small Businesses Financially Impacted by the Pandemic 

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) today announced the award of $3.1 million in Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) COVID-19 Relief Grants to 12 nonprofit organizations with approved NRTC neighborhood plans for coronavirus response activities and costs. The organizations will distribute at least 60 percent of the grant funding they receive to small businesses with a physical location in their NRTC neighborhood boundaries.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare many inequalities in our communities, especially in distressed neighborhoods in our state. Because the NRTC Program is one of the best tools we have to positively impact neighborhoods in need, we made it a key part of DCA’s response to this crisis,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, who serves as DCA Commissioner. “Through these relief grants, we are investing in our neighborhoods and small businesses – many of which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic – to help them get through these hard times so that they can continue to thrive and contribute to their local economy.” 

The relief grants are funded by an allocation from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The $3.1 million in grant funds were awarded to 12 nonprofit organizations for 14 approved projects. The organizations receiving the grants actively participate in the NRTC Program and have neighborhood plans approved by DCA. Eligible uses of the grant funding for businesses within NRTC neighborhood boundaries include:

• Commercial mortgage, rent, and other bills (utilities, accounts payable);
• Resources to get a business established online (for example, an upgraded website to make delivery available to customers);
• Perishable inventory that was lost due to an interruption of business;
• Procurement of masks, gloves, shield guards, and other personal protective equipment for business owners, staff and customers;
• Procurement of hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes;
• Social distancing signage and decals;
• Procurement of tables, chairs, and other furniture for outdoor dining;
• COVID-19 educational materials, activities, and events aimed at businesses; and
• Wages for activities substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The nonprofit organizations can also use the grant funding for COVID-19 educational materials, activities, and events not related to businesses and for community access to internet services for food shopping.

The grants may only be used for eligible costs incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020 and must be fully expended by December 30.

The grant recipients and projects are listed below:

The Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit COVID-19 Relief Program is part of a larger coordinated State effort to invest needed dollars into small businesses, small landlords, and impacted communities in the wake of the pandemic.

The DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, local government management and finance, and disaster recovery.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: