Have A Need? NJBAC Can Help.

The NJBAC is offering no-cost technical assistance, training, and problem-solving – we are here to support all of your Business Enhancement needs. Whether you have a one-off resource question, are looking for a strategic assessment of a district, or could use some quick visualized tactical inspiration to foster visible and tangible change, NJBAC can help. Contact NJBAC Assistant Director Jef Buehler to start the conversation and move towards action.

Today’s email has information on assistance we can provide, as well as about technical and financial resources that may be a fit for your community or district.

Best Practices

How Small Cities Are Winning Big Money for Street Safety:  Turning grant applications into funding victories isn't an easy task for an under-resourced community. But there’s a great resource out there to help make your street safety goals a reality - the Local Infrastructure Hub - which offers cities under 150,000 residents the mentorship and resources they need to successfully compete for federal transportation money. In the most recent application round, participants in the Hub's "bootcamps" won 80 percent more funding than the average grantee, despite having less than one-third of the average grantee population. The Hub is a free program that helps municipalities (even very small ones) navigate the federal grants process and increase the likelihood of success.

Featured Grants & Support

NJEDA Grants to Small Businesses are Very Much Available: There are some amazing grants at the EDA that are non-competitive, meaning that if your district’s or community’s businesses meet the criteria and correctly apply, they can obtain these resources!  All three grants accept applications on a rolling basis until their funding is used.  That said, one or more of these can benefit most small businesses in NJ, so please share this info with you businesses. And if you want EDA to come to speak with your businesses/district management/chamber organization, reach out to Kathy.Guzman@njeda.gov directly to set that up!

Small Business Improvement Grant

• Open to NJ small businesses, nonprofits, and home-based businesses.
• Reimbursement grant for interior and exterior renovations, the purchase and installation of new furniture, fixtures, and equipment.  The work must be completed, and items paid for within two years from the date of application.
• Reimbursement is 50% of total cost, up to $50,000 maximum award. 
• Program details and grant application are on the NJEDA website.

Small Business Lease Grant

• Open to NJ small businesses with a new 5-year (or longer) lease of street level space, between 250 and 10,000 square feet. Amended leases may be eligible if additional space is added.
• Lease must be executed within the previous 12 months from the grant application date.
• Grant award is 20% of annual lease payment upon grant approval, and a second 20% payment of the annual lease amount after one year.
• Program details and grant application are on the NJEDA website.

Small Business E-Commerce Support Program

• Open to NJ restaurants, retail, and personal care businesses that operate from a commercial location.
• Free E-Commerce and digital marketing consulting such as website development, website optimization, E-Commerce platform, online ordering, online appointment booking, and digital marketing plans. 
• This program is consultant led; business owners should reach out directly to one or more of the approved vendors to get started. There is no online application through the NJEDA.

TIMELY -> National Fund for Sacred Places:  Applications for the National Fund for Sacred Places are open, with a Letter of Intent (LOI) to apply due by February 29^th with full applications due in June. This program provides matching grants of $50,000 to $500,000 to congregations of any type undertaking significant capital projects at historic houses of worship, along with wraparound services including training, technical assistance, and planning support. It is highly recommended to participate in the LOI workshop on February 1 and/or to review the 2023 LOI workshop slide deck prior to applying.

NJBAC Can Work With All the Businesses in Your Community

We are here for your communities’ and districts’ businesses. NJBAC offers free online chat and telephone (800-537-7397) assistance in English and Spanish to any business in NJ – any size, any location, and any type. Our team can advocate for businesses, concierge them to funding and technical solutions, help them find locations for growth or developing export markets, guide them to navigating the commercial cannabis sector, and much more. Want to set something up online or on-site for your businesses? Reach out to NJBAC Assistant Director Jef Buehler to get plugged in to all of our business success services.