NJEDA to Open Applications for Small Business Liquor License Grant Program

TRENTON, N.J. (October 22, 2025) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will open applications for the Small Business Liquor License Grant Program on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. In support of Governor Phil Murphy’s mission to reform antiquated liquor license laws, the grant program will reactivate existing licenses that ae not being used.

WHAT:            The Small Business Liquor License Grant Program, funded at $10 million, will provide up to $100,000 in grant funding to reimburse eligible small businesses that have purchased an inactive plenary retail consumption liquor license within the past 12 months, supporting the reactivation of over 1,300 inactive licenses. Forty percent of grant funding will be reserved for applicant businesses located in eligible Opportunity Zone census tracts.

WHO:              Eligible applicants include small businesses and nonprofits. Applicants must own a previously Inactive Class C Plenary Retail Consumption License and have a purchase date within 12 months prior to application. NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) determines if the license was previously inactive.

WHEN:           Applications will open on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Click here for full eligibility requirements and to apply.

An informational webinar will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Click here to register.

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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