$3.5 million would help Mercer’s small businesses
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes is pleased to announce another initiative for the business community — Mercer County Small Business Grant Program. The grant program, which allocates $3.5 million from the Rescue Plan Act, will provide direct assistance to Mercer County small businesses likely to have experienced difficulties caused by the pandemic. The focus will be on businesses that have physical storefronts at Mercer with a maximum of $10,000 awarded per grant.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy, creating jobs and spinoff companies and bringing stability to our communities,” the county executive said. “This infusion of financial support will be a boost to local businesses that have been hit hard during the pandemic, and we are grateful to the federal government for providing significant relief for our residents and business owners.”
The small business grant program follows another small business program recently announced by Executive Hughes, The Small Business Investment Program.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The application portal for the Small Business Support Program will be opened soon. The implementation of the program will be completed by GrantWorks Inc. GrantWorks was procured to provide ARPA program management services for Mercer County. GrantWorks offers an online application portal that can be accessed via mobile phone, tablet or computer. This portal will allow easy document uploading through traditional document upload methods or through the photo capabilities of mobile devices. After collecting the application and eligibility documentation, GrantWorks will review the applications and request additional documentation if necessary. Grant funds will be delivered as a bank check payable to the person or entity listed on the NJ business registration.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
As a recipient of the “Coronavirus Relief Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds” (CSLFRF), Mercer County seeks to use a portion of this assistance to establish a small business support initiative known as the Mercer County Small Business Grants Program. Under the CSLFRF, the county is allowed to direct these recovery dollars to small businesses so they can use grant funds to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday, January 12, 2023, the Mercer County Commissioners approved the appropriation of $3,500,000.00 to implement this program. President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act provides direct relief to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mercer County was awarded $71.3 million by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
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