The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will open pre-registration for Phase 2 of its Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program at 9:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. The $10 million program expansion will support New Jersey small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and will be capitalized by a United States Economic Development Administration (USEDA) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act appropriation. Any business or entity that intends to apply for a loan must first pre-register during this pre-registration period, which will run from 9:00 a.m. EST on February 10, 2021 to 5:00 p.m. EST on February 22, 2021.
The second phase of the Small Business Emergency Assistant Loan Program will make up to $100,000 in low-cost financing available to eligible New Jersey small businesses and nonprofits to help with recovery and reopening efforts as a result of COVID-19. The funding can be used to pay rent or mortgage, payroll, and/or utilities. It can also be used to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) or COVID-related inventory, furniture, fixtures, or equipment.
Program applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first served basis, with priority given to applicants that have received no greater than $10,000 in government assistance from any federal, state or local (county/municipal) assistance program.
Applicants MUST pre-register in order to apply for the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program. Pre-registration for the Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program will open at 9:00 a.m. on February 10, 2021 on the New Jersey COVID Business Information Portal and will remain open until 5:00 p.m. on February 22, 2021. Only entities that pre-register will then be able to access the program application beginning 9:00 a.m. on February 24, 2021. The order in which final applications are received may affect funding availability, as referenced above.