Annie D'Agostino, Author at NJEDA

TRENTON, N.J. (February 5, 2020) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced that pre-registration for Phase 2 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program will be deferred. Pre-registration was scheduled to open on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. The Authority has not announced a new date for the program.

The Authority deferred the launch of the program to accommodate the rollout of additional federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) financing for small businesses, which had not been announced when the NJEDA was preparing to launch the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program. To date, more than $2.1 billion has already been loaned to New Jersey businesses through the PPP. The deferral will allow the NJEDA to tailor the Emergency Assistance Loan Program to address gaps in the availability of federal financing and more effectively meet businesses’ unique needs.

The NJEDA will share additional updates on the Emergency Assistance Loan Program and other COVID-19 relief resources as they become available. Information will also be shared on the COVID-19 Business Hub: https://cv.business.nj.gov.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses call NJEDA Customer Care at 609-858-6767 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Notice of NJEDA Board Meeting

NJEDA – EDA Board Meeting 2/10/2021

Please be advised that a telephonic meeting of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Wednesday, February 10, 2021.

The Members will convene to via conference call only. Members of the public may participate in the meeting by calling in on the conference line. Members of the public will have an opportunity to speak during the public comment segment of the meeting. The following conference number is being provided:

CONFERENCE NAME:NJEDA BOARD MEETING (February 10, 2021)
PARTICIPANT DIAL-IN NUMBER: 877-692-8955
PARTICIPANT ACCESS CODE: 4204420

Members of the public are encouraged to call in prior to the time the meeting is scheduled to begin to avoid any delays.

The agenda can be found 48 hours prior to the meeting on our website: www.njeda.gov.

TRENTON, N.J. (February 1, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create a Research in Action Lab on the topic of minority-owned small businesses.

Research in Action Labs are part of the Economic Growth and Mobility Project, an initiative of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia dedicated to promoting equal access to economic opportunity for all.

“Minority-owned businesses are bearing the brunt of the current COVID-19 pandemic, and this research collaboration will help to fuel decisions about how to most effectively and expediently expand equitable access to opportunities for business owners who have historically faced obstacles when it comes to acquiring capital,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan.

“The New Jersey Economic Development Authority interacts with small businesses every day and addresses economic inequities head on,” said Ashley Putnam, director of the Economic Growth and Mobility Project at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. “The Philadelphia Fed is excited to partner with the NJEDA who will provide valuable insight into the challenges businesses are facing in their local communities throughout this partnership.”

“Supporting minority-owned businesses is vital to achieving a strong and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NJEDA Chief Community Development Officer Tai Cooper. “Partnering with the Philadelphia Fed to gain insights into the unique challenges these businesses are facing during the pandemic and expect to face during recovery will help us to craft programs that address their needs and open the door to long-term success.”

A Research in Action Lab moves research into action on a specific issue of poverty and economic mobility impacting a community. The goal of this Research in Action Lab is to explore innovative solutions through cross-sector partnerships:

Institutionalize partnerships: Convene stakeholders across sectors to address systemic issues of economic inequality related to minority-owned small businesses.
Pilot and innovate solutions: Explore public-private partnerships, innovative models, and opportunities to pilot and scale impact.
Affect systems change: Bring research to bear on critical issues affecting minority-owned small businesses; impact policies at a state, local, and federal level; shift narratives and mindsets around critical issues; and elevate the voices of those most impacted.

Through the MOU, the NJEDA and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia are each committing to dedicating staff and organizational capacity to the Research in Action Lab and to sharing their expertise, partnerships, and relationships to advance research efforts and stakeholder conversations that will help to address the particular issues minority-owned businesses are facing. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia will take lead on efforts to identify national best practices on such issues and elevate the work of local stakeholders on a national stage. The ultimate goal of this partnership is to identify and pilot approaches and innovations for addressing disparities in accessing resources for small business growth.

The NJEDA and the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia first began collaborating in the fall of 2020, when the NJEDA helped to promote the Federal Reserve’s Small Business Credit Survey, an annual survey of small businesses in the United States that aims to provide advocates and policymakers with insights they can use to address small businesses’ needs. The NJEDA worked with the Reserve Banks to drive responses from underrepresented businesses with a particular focus on learning more about minority- and women-owned firms.

About the New Jersey Economic Development Authority
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

About the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia helps formulate and implement monetary policy; supervises state member banks, bank holding companies, and savings and loan holding companies; and provides financial services to depository institutions and the federal government. It is one of the 12 regional Reserve Banks that, together with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia serves eastern and central Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delaware.

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Authority Will Open Program Pre-Registration on February 10, 2021

TRENTON, N.J. (January 27, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced it will open pre-registration for Phase 2 of its Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program at 9:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. The $10 million program expansion will support New Jersey small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and will be capitalized by a United States Economic Development Administration (USEDA) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act appropriation. Any business or entity that intends to apply for a loan must first pre-register during this pre-registration period, which will run from 9:00 a.m. EST on February 10, 2021 to 5:00 p.m. on February 22, 2021.

The second phase of the Small Business Emergency Assistant Loan Program will make up to $100,000 in low-cost financing available to eligible New Jersey small businesses and nonprofits to help with recovery and reopening efforts as a result of COVID-19. The funding can be used to pay rent or mortgage, payroll, and/or utilities. It can also be used to purchase inventory, personal protective equipment (PPE), or COVID-related inventory, furniture, fixtures, or equipment.

Program applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first served basis, with priority given to applicants that have received no greater than $10,000 in government assistance from any federal, state or local (county/municipal) assistance program.

Most eligible businesses will be able to apply for up to $100,000, but if a business was approved for a loan under Phase 1 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program, it will be eligible under Phase 2 only for an amount that will not exceed $100,000 in the aggregate of the two phases. To promote equity, $3.5 million of the funding will be reserved for businesses in Opportunity Zone-eligible census tracts.

Applicants MUST pre-register in order to apply for the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program. Pre-registration for the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program will open at 9:00 a.m. on February 10, 2021 on the New Jersey COVID Business Information Portal and will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on February 22, 2021. Only entities that pre-register will then be able to access the program application beginning 9:00 a.m. February 24, 2021. The order in which final applications are received may affect funding availability, as referenced above.

“New Jersey businesses continue to feel the economic weight of COVID-19 as the pandemic stretches into 2021,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “As we begin to see the second COVID wave plateau, we are encouraged that there is a light at the end of the tunnel representing the economic recovery we have been working toward. That recovery can only be attained by connecting small business owners with resources they need to re-emerge from the pandemic. We are grateful for the USEDA appropriation, which will enable us to reach more small businesses throughout the state.”

To be eligible for financing through Phase 2 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program, small businesses and non-profit organizations must be in existence and in operation from at least February 24, 2020, have $5 million or less in annual revenue, and have a physical commercial location in New Jersey. They also must be able to describe how they were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Home-based businesses and real estate holding companies are among the entities that are not eligible for financing under this program.

In line with the terms of Phase 1 of the program, Phase 2 loans will have ten-year terms with zero percent interest for the first five years, then resetting to the NJEDA’s prevailing floor rate for the remaining five years, with a three percent cap.

The NJEDA initially created its Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program in the Spring of 2020 as part of a suite of resources for small businesses and nonprofits following Governor Murphy’s signing of Executive Order 103, declaring a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency. The first round of funding from the program resulted in more than 150 businesses being approved for a total of more than $10.4 million.

Comprehensive information about New Jersey’s coronavirus response is available at https://cv.business.nj.gov.

To read Governor Murphy’s full economic plan, please visit: https://nj.gov/economicplan

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La Autoridad habilitará la preinscripción en el programa el 10 de febrero de 2021

TRENTON, N.J. (27 de enero de 2021) – La Autoridad para el desarrollo económico de New Jersey (New Jersey Economic Development Authority o NJEDA por sus siglas en inglés) hoy anunció que abrirá la preinscripción para la Fase 2 del Programa de préstamos de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas a las 9:00 a. m. EST del miércoles, 10 de febrero de 2021. La expansión del programa en $10 millones apoyará a las pequeñas empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro de New Jersey afectadas por la pandemia de COVID-19 y estará capitalizada por la asignación de la Ley de Ayuda, Alivio y Seguridad Económica por Coronavirus (CARES, por sus siglas en inglés). Las empresas o entidades que pretendan solicitar un préstamo primero deben preinscribirse durante este período de preinscripción, que se extenderá desde las 9:00 a. m. EST del 10 de febrero de 2021 hasta las 5:00 p. m. del 22 de febrero de 2021.

La segunda fase del Programa de préstamos de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas dispondrá de $100,000 en financiamiento a bajo costo para pequeñas empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro elegibles de New Jersey con el objetivo de ayudar con los esfuerzos de recuperación y reapertura como consecuencia de la COVID-19. Los fondos se pueden usar para pagar alquileres o hipotecas, salarios y/o servicios. También se pueden usar para comprar inventario, equipos de protección personal (PPE), o inventario relacionado con la COVID, muebles, accesorios o equipos.

Las solicitudes del programa se revisarán por orden de ingreso y tendrán prioridad los solicitantes que hayan recibido menos de $10,000 en asistencia del gobierno a través de un programa de asistencia federal, estatal o local (del condado/municipio).

La mayoría de las empresas elegibles podrán solicitar hasta $100,000, pero si una empresa fue aprobada para un préstamo en la Fase 1 del Programa de préstamos de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas, en la Fase 2 será elegible para un monto no mayor a $100,000 sumando las dos fases. Para promover la equidad, $3.5 millones de los fondos se reservarán para empresas que se encuentren en las áreas censales elegibles para ser designadas como Zonas de oportunidad.

Los solicitantes DEBEN preinscribirse para poder presentar su solicitud para el Programa de préstamos de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas. La preinscripción para el Programa de préstamos de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas abrirá a las 9:00 a. m. del 10 de febrero de 2021 en el Portal de información comercial de New Jersey durante la COVID y seguirá abierta hasta las 5:00 p. m. del 22 de febrero de 2021. Solo las entidades que se preinscriban luego podrán acceder a la presentación de solicitudes para el programa a partir de las 9:00 a. m. del 24 de febrero de 2021. El orden en el que se reciban las solicitudes finales puede afectar la disponibilidad de fondos, como se indicó anteriormente.

“Las empresas de New Jersey siguen soportando el peso económico de la COVID-19 a medida que la pandemia se estira hacia 2021” expresó el Director Ejecutivo de la NJEDA, Tim Sullivan. “Mientras comenzamos a ver una meseta en la segunda ola de COVID, nos alienta ver una luz al final del túnel representando la recuperación económica para la que hemos estado trabajando. Esa recuperación solo se puede alcanzar conectando a los propietarios de pequeñas empresas con los recursos que necesitan para resurgir de la pandemia. Estamos agradecidos por las asignaciones de USEDA, que nos permitirán llegar a más pequeñas empresas en todo el estado”.

Para ser elegible para recibir financiamiento durante la Fase 2 del Programa de préstamos de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas, las pequeñas empresas y las organizaciones sin fines de lucro deben haber existido y haber estado operativas desde, al menos, el 24 de febrero de 2020, tener ganancias anuales de $5 millones o menos, y tener una ubicación comercial física en New Jersey. También deben poder describir cómo fueron afectadas negativamente por el brote de COVID-19. Las empresas administradas desde el hogar y las empresas inmobiliarias se encuentran entre las entidades que no son elegibles para recibir financiamiento a través de este programa.

En línea con los plazos de la Fase 1 del programa, los préstamos de la Fase 2 tendrán plazos de diez años con cero interés durante los primeros cinco años, luego se aplicará la tasa mínima de la NJEDA durante los cinco años restantes, con un límite de tres por ciento.

La NJEDA creó inicialmente su Programa de préstamos de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas en la primavera de 2020 como parte de un conjunto de recursos para pequeñas empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro, después de que el Gobernador Murphy firmara la orden ejecutiva 103 que declara el estado de emergencia y la emergencia de salud pública. En la primera tanda de fondos del programa, se aprobaron más de 150 empresas por un total de más de $10.4 millones.

Puede encontrar información completa sobre la respuesta de New Jersey al coronavirus en https://cv.business.nj.gov.

Para leer el plan económico completo del Gobernador Murphy, visite: https://nj.gov/economicplan

Acerca de la Autoridad para el desarrollo económico de New Jersey
La Autoridad para el desarrollo económico de New Jersey (NJEDA) es la agencia principal del Estado para impulsar el desarrollo económico. La NJEDA tiene el compromiso de hacer del Estado de New Jersey un modelo nacional para el desarrollo económico inclusivo y sostenible al centrarse en estrategias claves para ayudar a construir comunidades fuertes y dinámicas, crear buenos trabajos para los residentes de New Jersey y ofrecer oportunidades para una economía más sólida y justa. Mediante asociaciones con diversas partes interesadas, la NJEDA crea e implementa iniciativas para mejorar la vitalidad económica y la calidad de vida en el Estado y para fortalecer la competitividad económica a largo plazo de New Jersey.

Para obtener más información acerca de los recursos de la NJEDA para empresas, llame a la línea de atención al cliente al 609-858-6767 o visite https://www.njeda.gov y siga a @NewJerseyEDA en Facebook, Twitter, Instagram y LinkedIn.

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Program Will Make up to $75,000 Available to Companies Furthering Clean Tech R&D

TRENTON, N.J. (January 12, 2021) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) today announced that it will launch its Clean Tech Seed Grant Program next month. The program will help accelerate development and innovation of clean technologies by furthering research and development (R&D) within the Garden State’s clean technology startup community. CSIT developed the program in coordination with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). The application will be available at https://www.njeda.gov/csit.

The Clean Tech Seed Grant Program provides grants for R&D activities to very early-stage, New Jersey-based clean technology companies. Specifically, the program will fund projects that are developing or testing clean technologies intended to recapture or avoid emissions of greenhouse gases and/or criteria pollutants, or to enable such avoidance or recapture. The following technology areas are eligible under the program: Chemicals/Advance Materials, Energy Distribution/Storage, Energy Efficiency, Energy Generation, Green Buildings, Transportation, Waste Processing, and Water and Agriculture.

These grants will help businesses continue their work toward the proof of concept and prototyping stages, at which point they can more readily attract outside investors and, in some cases, begin to generate revenue.

“New Jersey is ripe with young, innovative companies that have the potential to upend the current global clean technology marketplace,” said CSIT Chairman Gunjan Doshi. “The Clean Tech Seed Grant Program we’re launching soon will help these startups continue their critical R&D as they work toward commercialization.”

Doshi noted that CSIT will host an informational webinar on the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program on January 20, 2021. Registration information can be found on the CSIT webpage. A recorded version of the webinar and copy of materials presented will be made available on the CSIT webpage following the event. Please note that applications can be submitted starting on February 8, 2021.

The application will be open until April 5, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. or until the program receives 50 completed applications, whichever comes first. Qualified applicants can receive up to $75,000 in grants through the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program and the total funding for this initial pilot program is $750,000. The funding is being provided through NJBPU’s Clean Energy Program.

“Creating opportunities for startups to flourish in the clean technology sector will have a long-lasting impact on the state’s clean energy economy and critical environmental infrastructure,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “By investing in early-stage companies through this program, we are investing in the sustainability of our environment and our state’s clean energy future.”

All applicants for the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program should be between a minimum technology development level of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 (analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof of concept) and maximum of TRL 7 (Full-scale, similar (prototypical) system demonstrated in relevant environment), based on the Department of Energy definitions. Applicants should use the tool included in the Technical Proposal attachment on the application portal to determine TRL score.

Additional eligibility criteria require that applicants:

Be authorized and in good standing to conduct business in New Jersey as evidenced by New Jersey business registration and current New Jersey tax clearance certificate;
Have a minimum of one full-time employee (working 35 hrs. per week);
Have 50 percent or more of the work of its employees and contractors conducted in NJ (calculated on a full-time equivalent basis – 35 hours per week);
Have 50 percent or more of employees/contractors live or pay withholding taxes in NJ;
Have less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) in prior third-party funding over its lifetime (excluding government grants);
Have less than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) in previous calendar year sales revenue.

Applications from businesses located in an Opportunity Zone-eligible census tract, minority- or woman-owned businesses or businesses with technology coming out of New Jersey universities are all eligible for bonus points with respect to the scoring criteria.

“The Clean Tech Seed Grant Program sits at the intersection of two of Governor Murphy’s key priorities – reclaiming New Jersey’s role as a leader in innovation and reducing the Garden State’s dependence on fossil fuels.” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “When startups succeed, they create jobs and fuel our economy. In this case, there is the added element of bolstering the state’s crucial clean technology sector.”

In January 2020, Governor Murphy unveiled the state’s Energy Master Plan, which outlines key strategies to reach the Administration’s goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050. In May 2018, Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 28 directed the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, in partnership with other state agencies, to develop this statewide clean energy plan and shift away from energy production that contributes to climate change. The Energy Master Plan laid out ways to fuel the clean technology economy through workforce training, investments in developing clean energy knowledge, and the growth of world-class R&D.

About CSIT
In August 2018, Governor Murphy signed legislation re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the CSIT. Comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as academia, the Commission is tasked with leading the way in promoting the state as a home for academic and technological research, development, and commercialization.

About NJEDA
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

About NJBPU
NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents. To find out more about NJBPU, visit our website at www.nj.gov/bpu.

To learn more about state resources available to New Jersey entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, visit https://www.njeda.gov/tls or follow @NewJerseyEDA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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TRENTON, N.J. (23 de diciembre de 2020) – La Autoridad para el desarrollo económico de New Jersey (NJEDA) anunció hoy la apertura de presentación de solicitudes para el programa “Sustain and Serve NJ” (Apoya y sirve a NJ), un programa de subsidios por $2 millones que proporcionará fondos para que organizaciones compren comida a restaurantes de New Jersey que han sido afectados negativamente por la pandemia de COVID-19. Puede encontrar más información y la solicitud para el programa en https://business.nj.gov/covid/eligibility-for-sustain-and-serve. Se reciben solicitudes hasta el 8 de enero de 2021.

Si bien los restaurantes no pueden presentar una solicitud directamente para el subsidio a través de Sustain and Serve NJ, los restaurantes interesados en proporcionar comidas a través del programa pueden elegir que su información se publique de forma pública en el Centro de información comercial durante la COVID-19 de NJ; para ello deben completar el formulario de restaurante interesado en Sustain and Serve NJ en https://forms.business.nj.gov/ssnj/restaurants/interest/.

“Los esfuerzos de ayuda de la NJEDA durante la COVID-19 priorizaron el apoyo a las industrias y las comunidades que más severamente han sido afectadas por la pandemia. Sabemos que la industria de los restaurantes ha sido muy golpeada, y estamos comprometidos a garantizar que los restaurantes tengan los recursos que necesitan para continuar en el negocio mientras protegen la salud y seguridad de empleados y clientes”, expresó el Director ejecutivo de la NJEDA, Tim Sullivan. “La Fase 3 del Programa de subsidios de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas destinó más de $35 millones en fondos específicos para restaurantes. Ahora, Sustain and Serve NJ continúa sumando ayuda para el sector de restaurantes. Esto es fundamental para garantizar que las comunidades y la economía de New Jersey resistan la pandemia y estén en una buena posición para recuperarse”.

La pandemia de COVID-19 ha impactado más a los restaurantes que a prácticamente cualquier otra industria. Sin ayuda, el 37% de los propietarios de restaurantes de New Jersey prevén que tendrán que cerrar en los próximos seis meses. Para apoyar a los restaurantes afectados por la pandemia, Sustain and Serve NJ aportará hasta $2 millones del Fondo para la recuperación económica de la NJEDA disponibles para organizaciones de New Jersey. Las organizaciones elegibles recibirán subsidios de al menos $100,000 para realizar eventuales compras de comidas a granel a restaurantes de New jersey.

El programa está disponible para entidades, incluidas organizaciones sin fines de lucro 501(c), que estén legalmente registradas para desempeñar actividades comerciales en New Jersey y estén debidamente registradas en el Departamento de Trabajo de New Jersey y en la División Fiscal de New Jersey. Los solicitantes de subsidios deberán demostrar compras a granel anteriores de 3,000 o más comidas valuadas en $50,000 o más a restaurantes de New Jersey desde el 9 de marzo de 2020.

Además de cumplir con estos requisitos, los solicitantes también deben identificar al restaurante o los restaurantes donde comprarán las comidas. Para recibir fondos, los restaurantes que participan deben tener 50 empleados o menos, tener una ubicación comercial física en New Jersey, estar legalmente registrados para hacer negocios en New Jersey y estar debidamente acreditados con el Departamento de Trabajo de New Jersey, la División Fiscal de New Jersey y (cuando corresponda) con la División de control de bebidas alcohólicas de New Jersey, y deben contar con una certificación válida de una inspección del gobierno municipal o del condado que indique una calificación actual de Satisfactorio conforme al sistema de calificación de establecimientos alimentarios minoristas de New Jersey. Los restaurantes también deberán certificar que estaban operando el 15 de febrero de 2020 o antes y detallar cómo se han visto afectadas sus actividades comerciales durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

Las solicitudes de subsidios de Sustain and Serve NJ deben presentarse hasta el 8 de enero de 2021. Los restaurantes no pueden presentar una solicitud directamente para el subsidio, pero pueden expresar interés en el programa y solicitar que se publique su información de forma pública completando el Formulario de restaurante interesado en Sustain and Serve NJ. Los solicitantes pueden consultar la lista de restaurantes que expresaron interés para decidir dónde comprarán las comidas. La inclusión en esta lista no es un aval de la NJEDA con respecto a la elegibilidad, y se recomienda a los solicitantes que seleccionen restaurantes participantes con la diligencia debida.

Los fondos de subsidio otorgados a través del programa Sustain and Serve NJ se limitarán a gastos relacionados con el costo directo de compra de las comidas, según lo determinen los restaurantes participantes. Ese costo puede incluir el costo de los alimentos e ingredientes, la mano de obra, el empaque, las instalaciones y el margen de ganancias del restaurante. Al usar fondos de subsidio no se pagan impuestos a las ventas ni propinas. El reembolso tendrá un límite de $10 por comida. No es elegible ningún otro gasto en el que incurra el beneficiario, ya sea para la compra de comidas al restaurante o para cualquier otro fin. Los fondos de subsidio solo se pueden usar para gastos incurridos desde la fecha de otorgamiento del subsidio hasta el 30 de abril de 2021.

Además del programa Sustain and Serve NJ, la NJEDA administra una variedad de programas de subsidios, financiamiento a bajo costo y asistencia técnica para pequeñas y medianas empresas afectadas por la COVID-19, incluidos $35 millones de fondos de subsidio específicos para restaurantes mediante la Fase 3 del Programa de subsidios de asistencia para pequeñas empresas. Puede encontrar información completa sobre estos programas y otros apoyos estatales para las empresas afectadas por la pandemia en https://cv.business.nj.gov.

NJEDA ofrece servicios de asistencia lingüística en 11 idiomas. Esta asistencia está disponible en árabe, cantonés, guyaratí, hindi, italiano, coreano, mandarín, polaco, portugués, español y tagalo. Si necesita asistencia lingüística, envíe a NJEDA su nombre, idioma y número de teléfono a languagehelp@njeda.com. Tenga en cuenta, que si bien la asistencia está disponible en estos idiomas, la solicitud se debe completar en inglés.

Para obtener más información acerca de los recursos de la NJEDA para empresas, llame a la línea de atención al cliente de NJEDA al 609-858-6767 o visite https://www.njeda.gov y siga a @NewJerseyEDA en Facebook, Twitter, Instagram y LinkedIn.

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TRENTON, N.J. (December 16, 2020) – Only one day remains for New Jersey small businesses to receive discounts of nearly 70 percent on purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE) through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) NJ Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program. The deadline to receive discounts is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 17^th. Businesses will still be able to purchase PPE at 10 percent discounts after this time, but higher discounts for small businesses will no longer be available. Businesses can purchase discounted PPE now at https://ppe.covid19.nj.gov.

Launched in October 2020 in response to high demand for affordable PPE, the NJ Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program allows New Jersey businesses to purchase discounted PPE through NJEDA identified and vetted “Designated Vendors.” Current Designated Vendors include Boxed, Office Depot, and Staples. These suppliers have created “microsites” where any New Jersey-based business or nonprofit can purchase PPE at a 10 percent discount.

In addition to the 10 percent discounts available to all businesses, the NJEDA has also made $20.4 million available to provide additional discounts of 65 percent to businesses and nonprofits with 100 or fewer employees that make purchases from Staples or Office Depot. These discounts are available in addition to the 10 percent discounts available to all businesses; meaning businesses with 100 or fewer employees can receive nearly 70 percent off PPE purchases, up to a program cap of $800 for all eligible businesses or $1,000 for businesses located in one of New Jersey’s 715 census tracts that were eligible to be designated as Opportunity Zones.

Small businesses and organizations interested in receiving these additional discounts on PPE purchases must apply at https://ppe.covid19.nj.gov. These nearly 70 percent discounts expire tomorrow, December 17^th, so businesses that want to benefit should make purchases as soon as possible. Businesses and nonprofits will still be able to receive 10 percent discounts on PPE purchases after this date.

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