The Gloucester County Board of Commissioners is launching the Small Business Recovery Grant in response to the economic hardships experienced by small businesses due to the pandemic.
“Our program will assist businesses in retaining jobs and recovering from economic loss during the pandemic,” said Commissioner Robert M. Damminger. “Our local businesses have been through many hardships during the last year. This program was designed to assist our businesses and keep them standing strong in Gloucester County.”
Federal regulations require that grant funds be used for eligible activities that meet both CDBG and CARES Act objectives of preventing, preparing, and/or responding to the coronavirus including those related to payroll and taxes, rent, utilities, insurance, and other related operating costs for property up to 180-day period provided there is no duplication of benefit with other funding.
All grant applications must meet the CDBG National Objective of Low/Mod Income for the benefiting business. The business must document that it will retain at least one permanent job held by a low- and moderate-income person and that the jobs would be lost without the CDBG assistance. Applicants must be able to prove that the grant funds were used for the approved use.
“Assisting small businesses with their COVID-19 recovery is a priority for the County. We are excited to bring this funding to our small business community during these unprecedented times. The Small Business Recovery Grant will help Gloucester County businesses recuperate from this pandemic so they can continue to support our county’s local economy and serve our residents,” said Commissioner Heather Simmons, liaison to the Department of Economic Development.
In order to apply for the program, the businesses must be for-profit enterprises, located in Gloucester County and established as of Dec. 31, 2019. Businesses cannot be delinquent of any taxes and must provide business financial documentation including information on loss of revenue due to COVID.
Businesses need to provide Dun & Bradstreet number (DUNS) and be registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM). To see all the qualifications and requirements, please visit www.gloucestercountynj.gov.
This program is funded by the CARES Act and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Block Grant Program.
Applications are being accepted via the online portal Neighborly accessible on the County website: https://www.gloucestercountynj.gov/397/Economic-Development.
Submissions that have provided all required documentation will receive awards up to $10,000 for each eligible applicant until the funds are exhausted.
Documents needed while completing the application
- State issued photo ID;
- Most Recent State and Federal Tax Return;
- Most current business bank account statement;
- NJ-WR30 – Not Required for Sole Proprietorships;
- Trade Name Registration (available through the County Clerk)
- Current Lease or Property Loan Document;
- W-9;
- Paystubs for one or more low/moderate-income employees;
- Evidence of Unpaid Business Expenses; and
- Photo of storefront.
If you have questions regarding the Small Business Recovery Grant, or if you need help completing your application, please contact: [email protected]
