TRENTON, N.J. –Assemblyman Ron Dancer introduced a bill (A4571) to help suburban and rural businesses impacted by the Gov. Phil Murphy’s economic shutdown to pay rent under a new $6 million grant program to be administered under the state Department of Community Affairs.
“In order to help our state recover from the pandemic, we must act to help all of our small businesses stay in business,” said Assemblyman Dancer (R-Ocean). “We need to facilitate a statewide recovery, not one where big companies survive and small businesses don’t. They can’t pay rent if they aren’t allowed to fully reopen.”
To be eligible for a grant, a small business needs to lease a space under 5,000 square feet or more than one spaces totaling under that amount, be storefront or in a commercial building, and be in operation prior to March 1. Grants will be limited to $10,000 on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Assemblyman Rob Clifton, who a co-sponsor of the bill echoed Dancer’s sentiments.
“Now is the time we must act in order to save small businesses in New Jersey,” said Clifton (R-Monmouth). Small businesses are key to our economy and employ thousands of New Jerseyans. All businesses, not just big companies, need our help right now. Providing a way for small businesses to thrive is not only the right thing to do, but essential to the state’s road to economic recover.”