The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has announced that it is has appropriated a portion of the Federal Community Block CARES Funds (CDBG-CV) it is receiving for a COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Program targeted to eligible small businesses located outside of the cities of Bridgeton, Millville and Vineland.
Commissioner Director Joseph Derella described the program as a “life line for our County’s rural small businesses”, stating, “As Bridgeton, Millville and Vineland are CDBG eligible cities entitled to receive funds focused on assistance to businesses in those three cities, this program will focus on small businesses in our rural municipalities who are not otherwise eligible to receive CDBG funds.”
In explaining eligibility for the grant program, Deputy Director Darlene Barber stated, “Small retail, restaurant, entertainment and non-professional service businesses with no more than ten full and part time employees who were in operation as of December 31, 2019 are eligible if the business is located in a low to moderate income area or if the owner or at least one employee who will be retained meets low to moderate income criteria.” Barber added, “Grant awards range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $10,000.”
Director Derella indicated that the Cumberland County Improvement Authority would administer the program stating, “The grant program requires applicants to establish their eligibility and provide proof that the funds will be used for a permitted purpose through an application process. The Authority will administer the grant as the County’s economic development agency.”
A press conference will be held in the Cumberland County Improvement Authority Training Room located at 745 Lebanon Road Millville, NJ on August 12, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. to announce the kick-off of the County Small Business Grant and Tourism Grant Programs. Director Derella is encouraging representatives of Cumberland County businesses, business organizations and local officials to attend the press conference stating, “As grant funding is limited, it is very important to get the word out to eligible businesses that can most use our help to survive these very difficult times.”
