Coronavirus Business Resources
5/28/2020 The Boards of Chosen Freeholders in Hunterdon, Warren, and Sussex Counties have called on Governor Phil Murphy to allow for a regional re-opening of businesses in New Jersey’s northwest corner and announced the creation of a ‘Gateway to Resources for Business Re-opening 
’ website that provides the latest information on the best practices for commercial re-openings.
Business Resources
(thanks to Maplewood Township Small Business Portal)
Below are summaries of business assistance programs for businesses suffering economic hardship from Covid-19. You should consult the program websites (or a financial advisor) for specific information and qualifications based on your business.
NEW JERSEY RESOURCES
Check your eligibility for these programs at the Emergency Assistance Eligibility Wizard
If you need help navigating the State and Federal programs:
Please reach out to these groups--click the 'counseling' button on the top of the page and enter your information
Rutgers Small Business Development Center
Women's Center for Entrepreneurship
Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program
OPENS AT 9AM on April 3
A $5 million program that will provide grants up to $5,000 to small businesses in retail, arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, food service, and other services – such as repair, maintenance, personal (salons), and laundry services – to stabilize their operations and reduce the need for layoffs or furloughs.
Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program
A $10 million program that will provide working capital loans of up to $100,000 to businesses with less than $5 million in revenues. Loans made through the program will have ten-year terms with zero percent for the first five years, then resetting to the EDA's prevailing floor rate (capped at 3.00%) for the remaining five years
Emergency Technical Assistance Program – A $150,000 program that will support technical assistance to New Jersey-based companies applying for State and US Small Business Administration programs.
The following organizations have been selected to provide application assistance to businesses:
African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ)
New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce
Rising Tide Capital
Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ)
INFORMATION
NJ State Financial Assistance Programs—Description of all COVID-19 business programs, including the three above
State of New Jersey COVID-19 Jobs and Hiring Portal- Businesses across New Jersey need thousands of workers for immediate hire
NJDOL and the Coronavirus (COVID-19): What Employers & Businesses Should Know —For Employers
NJDOL Benefits and the Coronavirus (COVID-19): What Employees Should Know—For Employees
FEDERAL RESOURCES
The Federal Government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on March 27. Portions of this Act are intended to assist business owners with current needs. The CARES Act programs will be administered through the Small Business Administration. The CARES Act represents more than $376 billion in relief for small businesses.
There is significant overlap in the costs that can be covered by EIDL loans and PPP loans, but businesses cannot receive assistance for the same economic loss under both programs. For example, if you use your EIDL to cover payroll for certain workers in April, you cannot use PPP for payroll for those same workers in April, although you could use it for payroll in March or for different workers in April.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Application window starts April 3
The program would provide cash-flow assistance through 100% federally guaranteed loans to employers who maintain their payroll during this emergency, with loan forgiveness of up to 8 weeks of payroll based on employee retention and salary levels.
You apply for this loan with a bank or a mission-based lender. SBA has a free referral service called Lender Match to help find a lender near you.
Sample Application
Covid-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program:
The SBA will provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus. The SBA's EIDL program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue.
INFORMATION
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources (US Small Business Administration)
COVID-19 or Other Public Health Emergencies (US Department of Labor)
Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (OSHA)
Guidance on Deferring Tax Payments Due to COVID-19 Outbreak (US Department of Treasury)
PRIVATE RESOURCES AND GRANTS
Facebook Small Business Grants Program
$100 Million for Independent Restaurants and Delivery Partners Impacted by COVID-19 (Grub Hub)
Yelp Relief for Affected Businesses
Mountain Creek Free Service Offer for Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Application Assistance
Mountain Creek understands we're all in this together and extends this offer to help our Sussex County community.
The SBA loan and disaster relief application process can be very confusing and complicated. Recognizing that many of the local small businesses located in Sussex County may be overwhelmed by the process and could benefit from assistance, Mountain Creek is offering, free of charge, its in-house chief financial officer and accounting department to assist local small businesses. The free service will help guide small businesses through the Small Business loan application process and with completing the necessary forms required to be filed.
Small businesses within our Sussex County community that are interested in obtaining more information regarding Mountain Creek's offer of free assistance are encouraged to contact Kat Polizos at kpolizos@mountaincreek.com.
The County of Sussex is providing this information as a public service announcement in order to help facilitate small business recovery from the COVID -19 pandemic emergency. Sussex County hereby disclaims any liability for the assistance being offered by Mountain Creek and its employees.
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Essential Businesses
Per EO-107 : The brick-and-mortar premises of all non-essential retail businesses must close to the public as long as this Order remains in effect. Essential retail businesses, listed below, are excluded from this directive and may remain open during their normal business hours. Essential retail businesses must, wherever practicable, provide pickup services outside or adjacent to their stores for goods ordered in advance online or by phone.
Additionally, online and telephonic delivery services are permitted to the extent the retail business is authorized to operate an online or telephonic delivery service under existing law. The State Director of Emergency Management, who is the Superintendent of the State Police, shall have the discretion to
make additions, amendments, clarifications, exceptions, and exclusions to this list:
a. Grocery stores, farmer's markets and farms that sell directly to customers, and other food stores, including retailers that offer a varied assortment of foods comparable to what exists at a grocery store;
b. Pharmacies and alternative treatment centers that dispense medicinal marijuana;
c. Medical supply stores;
d. Retail functions of gas stations;
e. Convenience stores;
f. Ancillary stores within healthcare facilities;
g. Hardware and home improvement stores;
h. Retail functions of banks and other financial institutions;
i. Retail functions of laundromats and dry-cleaning services;
j. Stores that principally sell supplies for children under five years old;
k. Pet stores;
l. Liquor stores;
m. Car dealerships, but only to provide auto maintenance and repair services, and auto mechanics;
n. Retail functions of printing and office supply shops; and
o. Retail functions of mail and delivery stores.
This list was amended by Administrative Order to include the following:
- Individual appointments to view real estate with realtors by individuals or families shall be considered essential retail business. Open houses are still considered impermissible gatherings.
- Car dealers may continue to conduct online sales or remote sales that are consistent with current law. In the event of such a sale, the car may be delivered to the purchaser or the purchaser can pick up the car curbside or in the dealership service lane.
- In accordance with the guidance released by the federal Department of Homeland Security, effective Tuesday, March 31, at 8:00 a.m., firearms retailers are permitted to operate – by appointment only and during limited hours – to conduct business which, under law, must be done in person. The NICS background check system will be up and running to process firearms purchases.
- Golf courses are considered recreational and entertainment businesses that must close to the public and to members associated with private golf clubs.
You can report a possible violation of any Executive Order using this online form: https://covid19.nj.gov/violation.
Some examples of Executive Order violations include:
- A non-essential business that is operating
- A non-essential construction project
- A business that is not practicing social distancing requirements
- A business that is not allowing remote work of non-essential employees
- A prohibited gathering of people
Compliance with Executive Orders is not voluntary.