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Press Release
September 4, 2013
3 minute read

CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION AWARDS STRONGER NJ BUSINESS GRANTS TO BERGEN COUNTY BUSINESSES


Economic Development Authority to Host Grant Workshop in Little Ferry

TRENTON, N.J. (September 4, 2013) – Demonstrating the Christie Administration’s commitment to the recovery of small businesses in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) announced two Bergen County businesses, JJ&K Distributors in Moonachie and JNT Technical Services in Little Ferry, were recently awarded Stronger NJ Business Grants to assist in their rebuilding efforts. 

“Little Ferry and Moonachie were among the hardest-hit communities and we’re glad businesses in this area are coming to us for help in getting back on their feet,”  said Michele Brown, CEO of the EDA. “We encourage any business with at least $5,000 in storm damage to apply for a grant. The application deadline is October 31, so there’s still time to apply.”   

JJ&K Distributors, an importer and distributor of specialty wholesale foods in Moonachie for over 30 years, lost about half of its inventory due to extensive flooding.   

Alicia Ruschke, owner of JJ&K Distributors, said, “The timing of the storm could not have been worse, as our warehouse was fully stocked with popular foods for the upcoming holiday season.  It has been a challenging year, but we’re optimistic that we’re on track for a successful season this year.  We’ve worked hard, and the support from the state is helping us to bridge the financial gap created by the storm.” 

JNT Technical Services Inc. is a manufacturer and designer of specialized performance and maintenance equipment for the power generation and other energy related industries.  JNT also lost nearly all of its inventory due to flooding from Sandy. 

“It was our top priority to minimize disruption to our customers,” explained Glenn Jorgensen, President and Chief Executive Officer of JNT Technical Services.  “It has been a very challenging year, but the JNT team has worked hard to maintain a high level of quality and service.  We very much appreciate the loyalty of our clients, as well as the grant support we have received from the State.” 

The Stronger NJ Business Grant program offers grants of up to $50,000 to New Jersey businesses damaged by the storm.  To date, the EDA has received 400 completed grant applications, and 60 businesses have been awarded grants totaling over $3 million.  

The EDA will host a Stronger NJ Business Grant Workshop on September 13 at Little Ferry Borough Hall, 215-217 Liberty Street in Little Ferry from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  To schedule your appointment with a business advisor, please contact Patience Purdy at (609) 858-6924 or PPurdy@njeda.com.  Appointments are available, but not required. 

Beginning May 1st, storm-impacted small businesses have been able to apply for EDA administered grants of up to $50,000 through the Stronger NJ Business Grant Program. The program launched two days after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved New Jersey’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Action Plan. Governor Christie called on the EDA to administer $460 million of the state’s CDBG Disaster Recovery allocation to support the recovery of impacted businesses. The Stronger NJ Business Grant program is the first of these CDBG-funded business recovery programs and is utilizing $260 million of the allocation.   

On July 1, the EDA unveiled the $100 million Stronger NJ Business Loan program, which is making low-cost loans of up to $5 million available to businesses and non-profits that were impacted by the storm, as well as businesses looking to expand within storm-impacted communities. 

The third Stronger NJ Business program, the $75 million Neighborhood and Community Revitalization Program, which launched today, will offer financial assistance to support 1) development and public improvement projects; 2) main street revitalization; and, 3) Community Development Financial Institutions providing loans to small businesses. 

Stronger NJ Business Grant applications must be received on or by October 31, 2013.  For more information on the Stronger NJ Business programs, including the complete list of eligibility criteria and eligible uses of funds visit http://application.njeda.com/strongernjbusiness or call EDA’s Sandy hotline at 1-855-SANDY-BZ (1-855-726-3929). 

EDA business advisors are located at One-Stop Career Centers in the nine most impacted counties to help businesses with the application process.  The Bergen County one-stop is located at 60 State Street, 2nd Floor, Hackensack, NJ  07601. Business advisors will be available every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Appointments are suggested, but not required.

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