The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board approved rules for the Main Street Recovery Program. Created under the Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA), the Main Street Recovery Program is a $100 million small business support program that will fund multiple financial assistance products aimed at supporting the growth and success of small businesses in New Jersey. More information is available at https://www.njeda.com/main-street-recovery-fund/.
“Supporting small businesses is the centerpiece of Governor Phil Murphy’s plan for a stronger, fairer recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The Main Street Recovery Program approved today will build on the NJEDA’s successful COVID-19 relief programs to provide new resources tailored specifically to help business owners recover from the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for long-term success.”
The rules approved today create two grant products funded by the Main Street Recovery Program: the Small Business Lease Assistance Grant and the Small Business Improvement Grant.
The Small Business Lease Assistance Grant is a $10 million program that will provide grants to businesses entering new or amended leases with at least five-year terms that include at least 250 square feet of street-level space. This grant funding will offset a portion of annual lease payments for two years.
The Small Business Improvement Grant is a $15 million program that will provide grants up to $50,000 to reimburse businesses for a portion of costs associated with improvements and/or the purchase or installation of furniture, fixtures, and equipment since March 9, 2020.
Applications for these programs are currently under development. The NJEDA will announce the application timeline for both programs soon.
In addition to the Small Business Lease Assistance Grant and the Small Business Improvement Grant, the NJEDA intends to pilot additional products to be funded through the Main Street Recovery Program. The Authority anticipates these pilot programs will include financing to help microbusiness lenders provide more low-cost loans and technical assistance for microbusinesses and an expansion of the NJEDA’s existing Micro Business Loan Program through which the Authority will provide low-cost financing directly to eligible microbusinesses.
