NJEDA Highlights Robust Small Business Support Programs during National Small Business Week

More than $185M invested into nearly 8,000 businesses through Main Street Recovery Program

TRENTON, N.J. (May 5, 2025) – In celebration of National Small Business Week, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is highlighting its various grant, loan, and technical assistance programs aimed to support small businesses across the state. Since the Main Street Recovery Program launched in 2021, the NJEDA has awarded more than $185 million in grants, loans, and technical assistance to nearly 8,000 small businesses across the state. More than 2,000 approvals under the program have been awarded to women-, minority, veteran-, LGBTQ-, and/or disabled-owned small businesses.

The Main Street Recovery Program, a comprehensive suite of programs, was originally designed to support small businesses impacted by the pandemic but has since grown to support the growth and expansion of small businesses. Including the $700 million in pandemic relief that the NJEDA provided to small businesses before the Main Street Recovery Program launched, the Authority has distributed a total of nearly $1 billion to bolster small businesses throughout New Jersey.

“From North Jersey to South Jersey, and everywhere in between, small businesses are fueling local economies and revitalizing key commercial corridors,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has invested millions of dollars to ensure small business owners have the resources and tools to grow their business and continue serving their communities. Through our robust loan and grant programs, the NJEDA is helping expand opportunities and increate vitality along main streets throughout New Jersey.”

The following programs are part of the Main Street Recovery suite:  

• Small Business Lease Grant: supports the growth and success of small businesses and non-profits by providing grant funding to cover a portion of lease payments for businesses and non-profits leasing new or additional space.
• Small Business Improvement Grant: offers reimbursement for costs associated with making building improvements or purchasing new furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
• Main Street Lenders Grant: provides grants to eligible micro business lenders, which the lenders can use to create new micro business loan products or supplement existing micro business loan products. Lenders can also qualify for additional grant funding to provide technical assistance to micro businesses, to better prepare these businesses to qualify for loan products.
• Main Street Acquisition Support Grant: offers a grant of up to $50,000 to reimburse an eligible New Jersey small business for closing costs related to a New Jersey commercial property that the business purchased to operate from.
• Small Business E-Commerce Support Program: provides free e-commerce and digital marketing consulting services to New Jersey small businesses in the restaurant, retail, and personal care industries that operate from a commercial location. The NJEDA has partnered with consultants to assist eligible small businesses with e-commerce services.
• Main Street Micro Business Loan: provided financing of up to $50,000 to eligible micro businesses in New Jersey with 10 or fewer full-time employees and no greater than $1.5 million in annual revenues.  

“As a small business owner, there are often inherent risks associated with opening a new business. To get support from the NJEDA to mitigate those risks is an enormous help and the only words that come to mind is simply ‘thank you.’ The funds from the NJEDA go directly back into the business in hopes to stimulate the local economy,” said James Park, owner of SuperSudz Laundry in Ewing, which received a Small Business Lease Grant. “I cannot express enough thanks to those within the NJEDA supporting us as a small business. We are hiring locally and the grant gives us a chance to continue to service the community we very much love.”

“As a new business owner every dollar counts,” said Angelo Masino, owner of FastSigns in Secaucus, which received a Main Street Acquisition Grant. “Being awarded this grant helped to put my mind at ease while I continue to build my business and allowed me to focus on other aspects which were equally important.”

“I have paid a lot of money in the past for services similar to the Small Business E-Commerce Program, and have received much less without the additional training,” said Trina Stroman, owner of Cammie’s Spectacular Salon in Wrightstown, which received technical assistance through the E-Commerce Support Program. “Everyone was very patient and efficient, and provided me the assistance to move on independently, and still offer support up to 12 months. I really appreciate this.”

Throughout National Small Business Week, the NJEDA is hosting several resource fairs to highlight programs offered by the Authority. An in-person “Show Me the Resources” fair will take place on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at The College of New Jersey. A virtual “Show Me the Resources” fair will be hosted on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

About the 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.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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