The NJEDA understands that the application system is currently responding slowly. At this time we are working to resolve the issue. Please be aware that the Program is not oversubscribed at this point and the application is allowing people to submit.
TRENTON, N.J. (October 29, 2020) – New Jersey small businesses can now purchase discounted Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) through the NJ Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) program uses an innovative public-private partnership model to provide automatic discounts on PPE purchased through NJEDA-approved “Designated Vendors.” Small businesses can purchase discounted PPE and apply for grants at https://covid19.nj.gov/ppeaccess.
“Ensuring equitable and reliable access to affordable personal protective equipment is vital to helping businesses reopen and operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The PPE Access Program takes an innovative approach to solving this problem that will make it easy for small business owners to determine what protective equipment they need and to purchase that equipment at an affordable price. This addresses multiple, overlapping economic challenges associated with the pandemic and sets us on the path to a stronger, fairer recovery.”
“Personal protective equipment is a powerful tool in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of PPE can help keep businesses safe as they continue to reopen as well as residents who are in the workplace or returning to work,” said New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli. “The NJEDA’s PPE Access Program is an important support that will help business owners learn what equipment they need to protect the health of their employees and customers and purchase that equipment at an affordable price.”
The NJEDA developed the NJ Small and Micro Business PPE Access Program in response to consistent concerns emerging from the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Commission, the nine sector-based committees of the Governor’s Restart and Recovery Advisory Council, and input from numerous small businesses indicating the need for readily available, fairly priced PPE.
The NJEDA has approved two “Designated Vendors” for the launch of the Program, including Boxed, an online shopping club that delivers household essentials in bulk, and Office Depot. These Designated Vendors have created “microsites” where New Jersey-based businesses can register and purchase a curated selection of PPE products at a 10 percent discount. Links to these microsites are available at https://covid19.nj.gov/ppeaccess.
“Boxed is proud to do our part to support hardworking business owners as they make the changes they need to keep their employees and customers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dave Taft, Boxed Spokesperson. “The PPE Access Program provides essential support for businesses and workers and we are proud to play a role in this vital initiative.”
“Office Depot is dedicated to helping hardworking business owners start, manage, and grow their business,” said Stephen Mohan, EVP, BSD for Office Depot. “We’re proud to be a part of the new NJEDA program to offer small business owners great savings on our wide assortment of PPE, dividers, floor decals, and more to help them reopen and keep business going during these unprecedented times.”
To help businesses understand what PPE they need to purchase, the NJEDA has also created an interactive Small Business PPE Planning Tool. Developed in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Health, this tool helps businesses understand PPE product requirements and estimate their organizational PPE needs. The online tool can be accessed at https://covid19.nj.gov/ppeaccess.
A second phase of the PPE Access Program will make $20.4 million available to subsidize small and micro businesses’ PPE purchases from Designated Vendors. Launching soon, this phase of the program will allow businesses with 100 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) to receive grants equal to 25 percent of the cost of purchases made through Designated Vendors. All eligible businesses can receive up to $400 in discounts, and businesses in one of the 715 census tracts that were eligible to be designated as Opportunity Zones can receive up to $500. These grants will be applied in addition to the 10 percent discount offered to all businesses, meaning small businesses will be able to save more than a third of the cost of their PPE purchases. Small businesses and organizations interested in receiving the additional 25% discounts can sign up for alerts on their availability at https://covid19.nj.gov/ppeaccess.
In addition to the PPE Access Program, the NJEDA administers a variety of grant, low-cost financing, and technical assistance programs for small and mid-sized businesses impacted by COVID-19. Comprehensive information about these programs and other State support for businesses impacted by the pandemic is available at 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.
Gracias por iniciar el proceso de preinscripción para la Fase 3 del Programa de subsidios de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas de la Autoridad para el desarrollo económico de New Jersey (NJEDA). Usted está recibiendo esta notificación porque no presentó su preinscripción.
El último día para presentar su preinscripción es MAÑANA, martes 27 de octubre de 2020 a las 5:00 p. m. Debe completar su preinscripción y presionar “submit” (enviar) antes de este plazo para poder ser elegible para solicitar un subsidio.
Firme aquí para completar su preinscripción. Si inició varias preinscripciones, tenga en cuenta que se permite una sola presentación por Número de identificación de empleador.
Seminario web de ayuda para la preinscripción:
Hay un seminario web demostrativo pregrabado disponible para proporcionar ayuda con el proceso de preinscripción; para ver este seminario web, visite:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGNu7RvOcJA&feature=youtu.be
Próximos pasos para presentar su solicitud:
Los solicitantes que hayan completado la preinscripción antes del 27 de octubre a las 5:00 p. m. deberán regresar al centro para presentar sus solicitudes según el siguiente cronograma:
• Restaurantes (hasta 50 FTE) – 29 de octubre a las 9:00 a. m.
• Microempresas (menos de 5 FTE) – 30 de octubre a las 9:00 a. m.
• Todos los demás solicitantes (6-50 FTE) – 2 de noviembre a las 9:00 a. m.
Aquí encontrará una solicitud de ejemplo que lo/la ayudará a prepararse para completar una solicitud según el cronograma anterior.
Mañana, martes 27 de octubre a las 11:00 a. m., se realizará un seminario web en vivo para guiar a los solicitantes en lo que pueden esperar una vez que la solicitud esté disponible y en cómo responder las preguntas. Haga clic aquí para unirse al seminario web. Si le solicitan contraseña, use phase3. Este seminario web se grabará y estará disponible en cv.business.nj.gov más tarde ese mismo día para aquellos que no puedan asistir.
Otras formas de unirse:
iPhone one-tap :
EE. UU.: +13017158592,,81803689953# o +13126266799,,81803689953#
O por teléfono:
Marque (para una mejor calidad, marque un número según su ubicación actual):
EE. UU.: +1 301 715 8592 o +1 312 626 6799 o +1 929 205 6099 o +1 253 215 8782 o +1 346 248 7799 o +1 669 900 6833
ID del seminario web: 818 0368 9953
Números internacionales disponibles: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdLk0uu5M6
¿Tiene otras preguntas o necesita ayuda?
Si tiene preguntas o ha tenido dificultad para completar el proceso de preinscripción, envíe un correo electrónico a CustomerCare@njeda.com o llame a la Línea de asistencia por COVID de NJEDA al 844-965-1125. Si necesita servicio de traducción, hay apoyo disponible en 10 idiomas en languagehelp@njeda.com.
Gracias por preinscribirse en la Fase 3 del Programa de subsidios de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas de la Autoridad para el desarrollo económico de New Jersey (NJEDA).
El próximo paso en el proceso es completar la solicitud de subsidio completa. Los solicitantes preinscritos deberán regresar al centro para completar una solicitud según el siguiente cronograma para cada tipo de empresa:
• Restaurantes (Código NAICS que comience con 722) – 9:00 a. m. el jueves, 29 de octubre de 2020
• Microempresas (5 empleados o menos) – 9:00 a. m. el viernes, 30 de octubre de 2020
• Todas las demás empresas, excepto restaurantes y microempresas – 9:00 a. m. el lunes, 2 de noviembre de 2020
Le recomendamos que revise la solicitud de subsidio de ejemplo disponible aquí que lo/la ayudará a prepararse para solicitar un subsidio.
Mañana, martes 27 de octubre a las 11:00 a. m., se realizará un seminario web en vivo para guiar a los solicitantes en lo que pueden esperar una vez que la solicitud esté disponible y en cómo responder las preguntas. Haga clic aquí para unirse al seminario web. Si le solicitan contraseña, use phase3. Este seminario web se grabará y estará disponible en cv.business.nj.gov más tarde ese mismo día para aquellos que no puedan asistir.
Otras formas de unirse:
iPhone one-tap :
EE. UU.: +13017158592,,81803689953# o +13126266799,,81803689953#
O por teléfono:
Marque (para una mejor calidad, marque un número según su ubicación actual):
EE. UU.: +1 301 715 8592 o +1 312 626 6799 o +1 929 205 6099 o +1 253 215 8782 o +1 346 248 7799 o +1 669 900 6833
ID del seminario web: 818 0368 9953
Números internacionales disponibles: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdLk0uu5M6
¿Tiene otras preguntas o necesita ayuda?
Si tiene preguntas o ha tenido dificultad para completar el proceso de preinscripción, envíe un correo electrónico a CustomerCare@njeda.com o llame a la Línea de asistencia por COVID de NJEDA al 844-965-1125. Si necesita servicio de traducción, hay apoyo disponible en 10 idiomas en languagehelp@njeda.com.
Estimado propietario o gerente de empresa:
La Autoridad para el desarrollo económico de New Jersey (New Jersey Economic Development Authority o NJEDA por sus siglas en inglés) colabora con la Reserva Federal en la Encuesta sobre crédito para pequeñas empresas 2020. Esta encuesta llega a miles de pequeñas empresas como la suya y proporciona información vital para los responsables de la creación de políticas que están analizando decisiones que afectan a las pequeñas empresas.
Las preguntas hacen referencia a las condiciones comerciales, las necesidades financieras, el acceso a crédito y los efectos de la pandemia en su empresa. Completar la encuesta le llevará aproximadamente 15 minutos y está abierta para empresas actualmente activas, aquellas que cerraron recientemente y las que están por comenzar sus operaciones. Todas las respuestas son confidenciales. Si todavía no participó, la información que nos proporcione será muy valiosa para nosotros.
La encuesta hace hincapié en las experiencias de las pequeñas empresas y, lo que es más importante, proporciona información crítica que los proveedores de servicios, los responsables de la creación de políticas y los prestamistas pueden usar para mejorar los programas para propietarios de pequeñas empresas.
Haga clic en el siguiente enlace para completar la encuesta. Gracias por participar.
https://frb.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aXW9acz1pbB4x7L?orgid=NJ_EDA&parentid=&reserve_bank=NY
Tenga en cuenta: La encuesta cierra el 31 de octubre de 2020.
¿Tiene preguntas? Contacto: NYFedSmallBusiness@ny.frb.org
The NJEDA is aware of a delay with receiving emails from the Grant Phase 3 Pre-Registration – remember the Pre-Registration is open until October 27, 2020 until 5 p.m. EST and is NOT first-come, first-served.
DIG Labs Co-Founders Tara Zedayko (left) and Jessica Chu created their pet health technology company to improve the lives of pets all over the world.
TRENTON (October 16, 2020) – Healthcare executives-turned-entrepreneurs Tara Zedayko and Jessica Chu co-founded pet health technology startup Bark Biome, which does business as DIG Labs, armed with a background in life sciences, a passion for helping their canine companions, and a mission to improve the lives of pets all over the world. Today, the Princeton-based company is nearing the launch of its first app and crediting support from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) with helping to reach this milestone.
DIG Labs, which was established last year, markets, manufactures and sells personalized canine supplements. The company’s new app, which is set to go live in November, will offer contactless assessment and tracking of a dog’s internal health in real time, starting with a single photo. The app will allow pet parents to collect, analyze, and translate insights into actionable health plans.
Earlier this year, DIG Labs became one of the first businesses to benefit from the expanded Angel Investor Tax Program, after Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation last summer enhancing the program. Beginning January 1, 2020, investors have been able to receive a 20 percent tax credit (up from 10 percent) on eligible investments and an additional five percent bonus for investments made in a business located in a qualified opportunity zone, low-income community, or a business that is certified by the State as minority- or women-owned. DIG Labs was the first woman- and minority-owned business to benefit from the new criteria.
“Governor Murphy has made a strong commitment to transforming New Jersey’s innovation ecosystem into the most diverse and inclusive one in the nation and the enhanced Angel Investor Tax Credit Program is an important and dynamic tool that will help to achieve this goal,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Changes made to the program have been lauded by the investor and startup communities alike and are beginning to impact the ways that companies like DIG Labs attract funding.”
Sullivan noted that investors have six months from the time of investment to apply to the Angel Investor Tax Credit Program. The deadline to apply for consideration of a 2020 Tax Credit is November 1, 2020. All qualified applications received after that date, as long as it is within of the six months from the investment date, will be considered for a 2021 tax credit.
Zedayko and Chu set up DIG Labs’ operations at Princeton Innovation Center Biolabs in Princeton with support the NJEDA’s NJ Ignite program. NJ Ignite helps technology and life sciences startups realize the benefits of collaborative workspaces by providing up to nine months of rent support for startup technology and life sciences businesses that are moving to an approved collaborative workspace. The funding is made possible through a combination of support from the NJEDA and the collaborative workspace. To date, a total of 20 collaborative workspaces have been approved to participate in the program. Situated three miles from Princeton University, Princeton Innovation Center Biolabs offers 31,000 square feet of shared wet- and dry-labs as well as private and coworking office space.
“As women in a traditionally male-dominated system, finding access to the capital we need to grow DIG Labs has been frustrating at times,” said Zedayko, who is DIG Labs CEO. “However, the support and encouragement we have received from the NJEDA, and in fact New Jersey’s innovation ecosystem as a whole, has been tremendous in helping us address and overcome these challenges. We are encouraged to see the focus Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy are placing on spurring opportunities for female entrepreneurs like us.”
DIG Labs was introduced to the NJEDA last year at Propelify, an annual event hosted by TechUnited NJ to showcase New Jersey’s synergistic innovation ecosystem. The event also fosters opportunities for entrepreneurs like Zedayko and Chu to connect with resources they need to grow and thrive in the Garden State.
Zedayko has focused a large part of her career on bolstering opportunities for girls and women in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. She spent several years at the helm of Johnson & Johnson’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Board. WISE is considered a precursor to Johnson & Johnson’s current Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing and Design program, which was created to empower women in STEM. Zedayko also spent the earlier part of her career as corporate team leader for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), a global robotics community that cultivates the technical and leadership talents of young people for the future. She is also an active mentor with Built By Girls, to help prepare the next generation of female leaders, builders, and creators to step boldly into careers powered by technology. Chu is an active member of the dog rescue community, serving as a volunteer, transporter, and flight chaperone. She has personally fostered and prepared almost 50 homeless dogs for their forever families in the tri-state area, including Jersey City’s See Spot Rescued. In addition to her passion for animal welfare, Chu’s prior outreach has focused on mentoring and tutoring for underserved youth.
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 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.
###
COVID-19 Outbreak
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA)
Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program – Phase 3
Notice of Funding Availability:
Applications will open for restaurants at 9:00 am on Thursday, October 29, 2020.
Applications will open for micro businesses at 9:00 am on Friday, October 30, 2020.
Applications will open for all other eligible businesses at 9:00 am on Monday, November 2, 2020.
Applicants must pre-register prior to 5pm on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
Language Assistance
Please see below for multilingual versions of this Notice of Funding Availability. If you need language assistance, please send NJEDA your name, spoken language and telephone number to languagehelp@njeda.com
español (Spanish)
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, los servicios de asistencia lingüística, gratuitos, están disponibles para usted enviando un correo electrónico a languagehelp@njeda.com.
اللغة (Arabic)
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languagehelp@njeda.com.
粵語 Traditional Chinese (Cantonese Chinese)
注意：如果您說粵語，可以透過傳送電子郵件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免費獲取語言協助服務。
普通语 Simplified Chinese (Mandarin Chinese)
注意：如果您说普通语，可以通过发送电子邮件至 languagehelp@njeda.com 免费获取语言协助服务。
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Overview
On March 9, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order 103, declaring a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency to ramp up New Jersey’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. Subsequent containment measures were implemented, including restrictions on public gatherings and mandated closure of non-essential businesses. While these measures are consistent with similar measures being taken nationally that are expected to limit the public’s exposure to COVID-19, there has been and will continue to be a significant adverse impact on our state’s economy.
On March 26, 2020, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) approved the creation of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program – an emergency grant funding program to provide funding as efficiently and quickly as possible to certain small and medium sized enterprises, i.e., businesses and non-profits (SMEs), that needed payroll and working capital support as a result of adverse economic impacts following the March 9, 2020 declaration of a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency.
The initial phase of the grant program focused on the smallest enterprises in targeted industries that were among the most adversely impacted by the containment measures. The NJEDA utilized $5 million from its own unrestricted monies, along with $2 million in funding contributed by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) in support of impacted entities in Atlantic County, to fund the original Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. The second phase of the grant program utilized $45 million in funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, as established under the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, with less restrictive eligibility requirements to assist a larger number of SMEs.
Utilizing $70 million in additional funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, the NJEDA is now implementing a third phase of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program, with both less restrictive eligibility requirements and new dedicated pools of funding for restaurants and micro-businesses.
Purpose
The purpose of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Program – Phase 3 is to provide short-term, immediate payroll and working capital support to additional New Jersey SMEs that have been negatively impacted during the declared state of emergency, thereby helping to stabilize their operations and minimizing any potential furloughs and/or layoffs.
Under the initial phase of the program, eligibility was restricted to businesses of no more than 10 FTEs. In Phase 2, the employee eligibility cap was increased to no more than 25 FTEs. In Phase 3, the employee eligibility cap is further increased to no more than 50 FTEs.
The initial phase of the program restricted eligibility to entities that were operating under a very narrow set of industries as determined by the North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code. As in Phase 2, in Phase 3, the program will not be restricted by NAICS code, with the exception of certain prohibited businesses as outlined below, and funding will also be available to home-based businesses and sole proprietors registered within the State, both of which were ineligible under the initial phase of the program. Furthermore, all 501(c) non-profit entities will be eligible, with the exception of organizations whose primary activity is political lobbying.
Eligible Uses
Under the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program – Phase 3, funding may be used for reimbursement of lost revenue as a result of business interruption caused by COVID-19 and may not be used for capital expenses, including construction.
Grant Amounts
Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program utilized a similar methodology for calculating a grant award, with $1,000 available per FTE, as reported in the most recent WR-30 filed with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. In Phase 3, rather than calculating grant awards on a per FTE basis, award sizes will be fixed based on FTE bands and industry, as per the chart below. Furthermore, rather than using the most recent WR-30 to determine award size, an applicant’s peak FTE count from the past six quarters of WR-30 filing will be used, maximizing the potential award. A company that is a sole proprietorship or otherwise has had no FTEs for each of the six quarters, would receive the minimum grant amount as per the table below.
For the purpose of calculating the grant amount, any implied FTE calculations will be rounded to the nearest FTE, e.g., 2.49 FTE would be counted as 2 FTE for the program, whereas 2.50 FTE would be counted as 3 FTE. While the calculation of FTEs is based on weeks worked and wages, as reported on the WR-30 filing, in no event will a company receive grant funding based on a number of FTEs that exceeded the number of employees employed by the company in the filing period, except that if a sole proprietor or other applying entity has no FTEs, it may be eligible for the minimum grant award. For entities like sole proprietorships, the NJEDA will work with the Division of Taxation in the Department of Treasury to identify tax filing status.
Award sizes for “Food Services and Drinking Places” businesses with NAICS beginning with 722:
| FTE Band | Award Size |
|---|---|
| 5 FTEs or fewer, including businesses with no FTEs | $10,000 |
| 6-25 FTEs | $15,000 |
| 26-50 FTEs | $20,000 |
Award sizes for micro-businesses:
| FTE Band | Award Size |
|---|---|
| 5 FTEs or fewer, including businesses with no FTEs | $5,000 |
Award sizes for other small businesses:
| FTE Band | Award Size |
|---|---|
| 6-25 FTEs | $10,000 |
| 26-50 FTEs | $15,000 |
Eligible Applicants
Businesses that were approved for grant funding under Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program will be eligible for Phase 3 funding. Funding received in Phases 1 or 2 will not affect the award sizes these businesses are eligible to receive in Phase 3 (except to the extent prior grants reduced the business’s unmet need).
Eligible SMEs must have a physical commercial location in the State of New Jersey (e.g., an office, a physical point of sales, a warehouse, manufacturing facility, etc.), and home-based businesses must be located in New Jersey. All non-profit entities organized under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c) will be eligible, with the exception of organizations whose primary activity is political lobbying.
Prohibited businesses include, but are not limited to: gambling or gaming activities; the conduct or purveyance of “adult” (i.e., pornographic, lewd, prurient, obscene or otherwise similarly disreputable) activities, services, products or materials (including nude or semi-nude performances or the sale of sexual aids or devices); any auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-our-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sales; sales by transient merchants, Christmas tree sales or other outdoor storage; and, any activity constituting a nuisance; or any illegal purposes.
The CEO/equivalent officer of each eligible SME must self-certify that the firm:
- Was in operation on February 15, 2020 (consistent with the federal Paycheck Protection Program implemented by the Small Business Administration);
- Will make a best effort not to furlough or lay off any individuals from the time of application through six months after the end of the declared State of Emergency on March 9, 2020 (SMEs that have already furloughed or laid off workers from the time of application must make a best-effort pledge to re-hire those workers as soon as possible) – any material breach of its best efforts certification may result in the NJEDA seeking repayment of the grant;
- Has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 declared State of Emergency on March 9, 2020 (e.g., has been temporarily shut down, has been required to reduce hours, has had at least a 20 percent drop in revenue, has been materially impacted by employees who cannot work due to the outbreak, or has a supply chain that has materially been disrupted and therefore slowed firm-level production); and
- Has a material financial need that cannot be overcome without the grant of emergency relief funds at this time (e.g., does not have significant cash reserves that can support the SME during this period of economic disruption).
In addition, an eligible SME must show evidence, at the time of application, that the SME is registered to do business in the State of New Jersey, is in good standing with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and meets the requirement by the Division of Taxation in the Department of Treasury to ensure that the applicant does not have tax debts due to the State. Evidence may be presented in the form of a certification by the applicant, subject to repayment if the certification is not correct.
Each eligible SME may submit one application per Employer Identification Number, i.e., SMEs with multiple Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) can submit one application per EIN; and, businesses with multiple locations but only one EIN will be limited to one application (under the sole EIN).
Finally, additional eligibility requirements may apply, which will be based on any applicable Federal requirements related to the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and may include, but not be limited to, a restriction on duplication of benefits that could exclude potential applicants that have already received Federal assistance, as well as a requirement that the applicant further demonstrate that it has had negative impacts from COVID-19.
Funding Disbursement
Funding to be fully disbursed as quickly as possible upon approval of grant application.
Of the $70 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund funding available, funds will be reserved for specific types of businesses in the following manner:
- Restaurants: $35 million of funding be reserved to support businesses classified as “Food Services and Drinking Places” with NAICS codes beginning with 722 (described in this document as “Restaurants”), given the disproportionate impact these businesses have experienced due to COVID-19, including caps on on-location dining and unusual costs they incurred to adapt their business models for safe operations. 33 percent of the funding within this category will be directed to support entities that have a commercial business address located (fully or partially) in a census tract that was eligible to selected as New Jersey Opportunity Zone (i.e., a New Market Tax Credit census tract).
- Micro-businesses: $15 million of funding be reserved to support businesses that have had 5 or fewer FTEs in its peak FTE count over the past six quarters of WR-30 filings (including businesses with no FTEs), given the unique financial vulnerability experienced because of COVID-19 by micro-businesses, which typically have lower financial reserves. 33 percent of the funding within this category will be directed to support entities that have a commercial business address (or home address for home-based businesses) located (fully or partially) in a census tract that was eligible to selected as New Jersey Opportunity Zone (i.e., a New Market Tax Credit census tract).
- Other small businesses: The remaining $20 million of funding will be reserved to support businesses with 6 to 50 employees. 33 percent of the funding within this category will be directed to support entities that have a commercial business address (or home address for home-based businesses) located (fully or partially) in a census tract that was eligible to selected as New Jersey Opportunity Zone (i.e., a New Market Tax Credit census tract).
Application Process
In expectation that the grant program will be oversubscribed, a 10-day pre-registration period will allow interested applicants the opportunity to submit business information and sign up to receive the application once live. All applicants must participate in this pre-registration. Pre-registered applicants will receive information by email containing a link to the online application and the time at which the application will go live. Pre-registration must be completed prior to 5pm on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
For restaurants, the application will open at 9:00 am on Thursday, October 29, 2020 and close at 5pm on Thursday November 5, 2020.
For micro businesses, the application will open at 9:00 am on Friday, October 30, 2020 and close at 5pm on Friday, November 6, 2020.
For all other eligible businesses, the application will open at 9:00 am on Monday, November 2, 2020 and close at 5pm on Monday, November 9, 2020.
The NJEDA will review applications on a first-come, first-served basis, based upon the date and time in which the Authority receives a completed the application submission. If it appears that available funding will not be fully utilized by eligible applications received through November 9, 2020, the NJEDA may re-open pre-registration on November 10, 2020 and may re-open the application on November 17, 2020.
Fees
Due to financial hardship, no fees will be collected by the Authority for this program.
Additional Information
Additional information on the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program – Phase 3 may be found at http://cv.business.nj.gov.
Phase 3 expands eligibility and increases size of grants with focus on restaurants and micro-businesses
TRENTON, N.J. (October 14, 2020) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced Phase 3 of the Authority’s Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. Phase 3, which will be funded with $70 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding, significantly expands eligibility for the Grant Program and increases the amount of funding businesses can receive. To ensure funding goes to businesses hit hardest by the pandemic, Phase 3 sets aside funding for restaurants, micro-businesses, and businesses based in Opportunity Zone-eligible census tracts.
Interested business owners will need to pre-register to receive an application. Pre-registration will begin on Monday, October 19th and will close on Tuesday, October 27th. The application will be available via a phased approach following the end of the pre-registration period, as detailed below. Applicants must complete the full application to be considered for grant funding.
“The Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program has been a powerful tool that has helped thousands of business owners and employees face the challenges this pandemic has created,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The additional CARES Act funding Governor Phil Murphy has committed to Phase 3 provides additional resources for all businesses, with specific carve-outs for restaurants, micro-businesses, and businesses in high-risk communities that have borne the brunt of the pandemic’s economic impacts. This will be a lifeline for businesses that have been struggling and will ensure that our communities don’t just survive the pandemic, but emerge from it stronger, fairer, and ready to rebuild.”
Launched in early April with $5 million of NJEDA funds, the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program initially offered grants of up to $5,000 to a narrowly targeted set of small businesses that included restaurants and in-person retail establishments. In early June, the NJEDA used $50 million in CARES Act funds to expand Phase 1 of the Grant Program by $5 million and launch Phase 2 with $45 million. Phase 2 expanded the program to a significantly broader range of businesses and increased the maximum grant award to $10,000. In August the NJEDA approved an additional $15.3 million to go toward fulfilling eligible Phase 2 grant applications from businesses located in 12 New Jersey counties that did not receive direct CARES Act funding allocations from the federal government.
To ensure equitable distribution of funds, the NJEDA set aside one-third of the CARES Act funding dedicated to Phase 2 to support qualified businesses located in one of the 715 census tracts that were eligible to be selected as a New Jersey Opportunity Zone. Targeting these census tracts has helped to ensure funding goes to communities of color that have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. To date, the NJEDA has approved grants for more than 20,000 businesses through Phases 1 and 2 of the Grant Program.
Phase 3 further expands eligibility for the Grant Program and increases the amount of funding individual businesses can receive. Any business or nonprofit located in New Jersey, including home-based businesses, with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) is eligible to receive grant funding during Phase 3. Businesses that received funding in previous phases of the program are eligible to receive Phase 3 funding.
Phase 3 also increases the amount of funding available to businesses. Grant awards will be calculated based on the number of FTEs businesses employ. Micro-businesses with five or fewer FTEs and sole proprietorships will receive $5,000; businesses with six to 25 FTEs will receive $10,000; and businesses with 26 to 50 FTEs will receive $15,000. Phase 3 provides even larger grants for businesses that are classified as “Food Services and Drinking Places” (NAICS code 722). Businesses in this classification with five or fewer employees will receive $10,000; businesses with six to 25 FTEs will receive $15,000; and businesses with 26 to 50 FTEs will receive $20,000. To maximize the funding businesses receive, grant awards will be based on the peak FTE count from a business’s past six quarters of WR-30 filings. Businesses must use funds from the Grant Program for reimbursement of lost revenue as a result of business interruption caused by COVID-19. Businesses may not use grant funds for capital expenses.
To ensure funds flow to businesses that need them most, the NJEDA is targeting Phase 3 grants to restaurants, micro-businesses, and businesses in census tracts that were eligible to be designated as Opportunity Zones. $35 million of funding will be dedicated to support businesses classified as “Food Services and Drinking Places” under NAICS code 722 and $15 million will be directed to support “micro-businesses” that have five or fewer FTEs. The remaining $20 million will be available to support any eligible business.
In line with Governor Murphy’s commitment to a stronger, fairer recovery, 33 percent of each of these pools of funding ($11.55 million of the “Food Services and Drinking Places” funding, $4.95 million of the micro-businesses funding, and $6.6 million of the other small businesses funding) will be directed to support entities in these categories that are located in a census tract that was eligible to be selected as a New Jersey Opportunity Zone. The NJEDA is partnering with five leading marketing agencies to coordinate strategic outreach to these targeted communities. Tara Dowdell Group, Medina=Citi, Brand Enchanting Media, and The Setroc Group, in partnership with Park Circle Technologies, were selected to support these outreach efforts based on their established connections to diverse communities across the state. All four firms are minority-, woman-, or veteran-owned.
Recognizing the significant need for relief, the NJEDA anticipates Phase 3 of the Grant Program will be oversubscribed. To streamline the application process, the Authority is requiring all applicants to pre-register online. Applications will become available on a rolling basis following the pre-registration period. Pre-registered applicants will need to return to complete an application based on the following schedule:
- Restaurants – 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2020
- Micro businesses – 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 30, 2020
- All other businesses, excluding restaurants and micro businesses – 9:00 am on Monday, November 2, 2020
Applications for each category will be open for a period of one week will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition to the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program, the NJEDA administers a variety of technical assistance and low-cost financing programs for small and mid-sized businesses impacted by COVID-19. More information about these programs and other State support is available at https://covid19.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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La Fase 3 extiende la elegibilidad y aumenta el monto de los subsidios con un enfoque en restaurantes y microempresas
TRENTON, N.J. (14 de octubre de 2020) – La Autoridad para el desarrollo económico de New Jersey (NJEDA) hoy anunció la Fase 3 del Programa de subsidios de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas de la Autoridad. La Fase 3, que se financiará con $70 millones en fondos de la Ley de Ayuda, Alivio y Seguridad Económica por Coronavirus (CARES, por sus siglas en inglés), amplía la elegibilidad para el Programa de subsidios y aumenta el monto de los fondos que las empresas pueden recibir. Para garantizar que los fondos vayan a las empresas más afectadas por la pandemia, la Fase 3 dispone fondos para restaurantes, microempresas y empresas ubicadas en las áreas censales clasificadas como Zonas de oportunidad.
Los propietarios de empresas interesados deberán preinscribirse para recibir un formulario de solicitud. La preinscripción comenzará el lunes, 19 de octubre y cerrará el martes, 27 de octubre. La solicitud estará disponible mediante un enfoque escalonado después del final del período de preinscripción, como se detalla a continuación. Los solicitantes deben completar toda la solicitud para que se los pueda considerar para el subsidio.
"El Programa de subsidios de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas ha sido una herramienta potente que ha ayudado a miles de propietarios de empresas y empleados a enfrentar los desafíos que ha creado esta pandemia", manifestó el director ejecutivo de NJEDA, Tim Sullivan. "Los fondos adicionales de la ley CARES que el Gobernador Phil Murphy destinó a la Fase 3 proporcionan recursos adicionales para todas las empresas, con asignaciones especiales para restaurantes, microempresas y empresas en comunidades de alto riesgo que han soportado el peso del impacto económico de la pandemia. Esto será un salvavidas para las empresas que presentan dificultades y garantizará que nuestras comunidades no solo sobrevivan a la pandemia, sino que emerjan más fuertes, más justas y listas para la reconstrucción".
Lanzado a principios de abril con $5 millones en fondos de la NJEDA, el Programa de subsidios de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas ofreció subsidios de hasta $5,000 a un conjunto limitado y específico de pequeñas empresas que incluían restaurantes y establecimientos minoristas que reciben personas. A principios de junio, la NJEDA usó $50 millones en fondos de la ley CARES para ampliar la Fase 1 del programa de subsidios en $5 millones y lanzar la Fase 2 con $45 millones. La Fase 2 extendió el programa a una variedad mucho más amplia de empresas e incrementó el monto de subsidio máximo a $10,000. En agosto, la NJEDA aprobó $15.3 millones adicionales destinados a completar las solicitudes de subsidios elegibles para la Fase 2 de empresas ubicadas en 12 condados de New Jersey que no recibieron fondos de la ley CARES del gobierno federal.
A fin de garantizar la distribución equitativa de fondos, la NJEDA dispuso un tercio de los fondos de la ley CARES asignados a la Fase 2 para apoyar a las empresas calificadas ubicadas en una de las 715 áreas censales elegibles para ser seleccionadas como una Zona de oportunidad de New Jersey. Focalizar en estas áreas censales ha ayudado a garantizar que los fondos vayan a comunidades de color que han sido particularmente afectadas por la pandemia. Hasta la fecha, la NJEDA aprobó subsidios para más de 20,000 empresas a través de las fases 1 y 2 del Programa de subsidios.
La Fase 3 amplía aún más la elegibilidad para el Programa de subsidios y aumenta el monto de los fondos que las empresas pueden recibir. Cualquier empresa u organización sin fines de lucro de New Jersey, incluidas empresas administradas desde el hogar, con 50 o menos empleados equivalentes a tiempo completo (FTE) es elegible para recibir fondos de subsidio durante la Fase 3. Las empresas que recibieron fondos en fases anteriores del programa son elegibles para recibir fondos en la Fase 3.
En la Fase 3 también se incrementan los fondos disponibles para las empresas. Los subsidios se calcularán en función de la cantidad de FTE que la empresa tenga contratados. Las microempresas con cinco FTE o menos y las sociedades unipersonales recibirán $5,000; las empresas con 6 a 25 FTE recibirán $10,000 y las empresas con 26 a 50 FTE recibirán $15,000. La Fase 3 proporciona subsidios más altos para las empresas clasificadas como "Servicios de alimentos y bebidas" (código NAICS 722). Las microempresas de esta categoría con cinco empleados o menos recibirán $10,000; las empresas con 6 a 25 FTE recibirán $15,000 y las empresas con 26 a 50 FTE recibirán $20,000. Para maximizar los fondos que reciben las empresas, los subsidios se basarán en el recuento máximo de FTE de una empresa en los últimos seis trimestres según las presentaciones de WR-30. Las empresas deben usar los fondos del Programa de subsidios para la reinversión de ganancias perdidas como consecuencia de la interrupción comercial provocada por la COVID-19. Las empresas no podrán usar los fondos del subsidio para gastos de capital.
Para garantizar que los fondos vayan a las empresas que más los necesitan, la NJEDA destinará los subsidios de la Fase 3 a restaurantes, microempresas y empresas que se encuentren en las áreas censales elegibles para ser designadas como Zonas de oportunidad. $35 millones estarán destinados a apoyar a las empresas clasificadas como "Servicios de alimentos y bebidas" según el código NAICS 722, y $15 millones se destinarán a apoyar a "microempresas" con cinco FTE o menos. Los $20 millones restantes estarán disponibles para apoyar a cualquier otra empresa elegible.
En línea con el compromiso del Gobernador Murphy con una recuperación más sólida y más justa, el 33% de cada uno de estos conjuntos de fondos ($11.55 millones de los fondos de "Servicios de alimentos y bebidas", $4.5 millones de los fondos para microempresas y $6.6 millones de los demás fondos para pequeñas empresas) se destinará a apoyar a entidades de esas categorías que se encuentren en un área censal elegible como Zona de oportunidad de New Jersey. La NJEDA se asoció con cinco agencias de marketing líderes para coordinar la difusión estratégica en estas comunidades objetivo. Tara Dowdell Group, Medina=Citi, Brand Enchanting Media y The Setroc Group, en sociedad con Park Circle Technologies, fueron seleccionados para apoyar estos esfuerzos de difusión con base en sus conexiones establecidas con comunidades diversas en todo el estado. Las cuatro firmas son propiedad de minorías, mujeres o veteranos.
Conscientes de la gran necesidad de alivio, la NJEDA prevé que la Fase 3 del Programa de subsidios superará las solicitudes esperadas. Para agilizar el proceso de solicitud, la Autoridad requiere que todos los solicitantes se inscriban previamente en línea. Las solicitudes estarán disponibles de forma escalonada después del período de preincripción. Los solicitantes preinscritos deberán regresar para completar una solicitud según el siguiente cronograma:
- Restaurantes – 9:00 a. m. el jueves, 29 de octubre de 2020
- Microempresas – 9:00 a. m. el viernes, 30 de octubre de 2020
- Todas las demás empresas, excepto restaurantes y microempresas – 9:00 a. m. el lunes, 2 de noviembre de 2020
La presentación de solicitudes para cada categoría estará abierta durante un período de una semana, y las solicitudes se aceptarán por orden de presentación.
Además del Programa de subsidios de asistencia de emergencia para pequeñas empresas, la NJEDA administra una variedad de programas de asistencia técnica y financiamiento a bajo costo para pequeñas y medianas empresas afectadas por la COVID-19. Puede encontrar más información sobre estos programas y otros recursos de apoyo del estado en https://covid19.nj.gov.
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 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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